The herb listings (LOVE these, and the pictures are a great idea!) got me thinking about common medicinal plants. Mullien has always been one that interested me, but I have never used it much. Does anyone here use it?

-- Patty (Sycamorehollow@aol.com), May 31, 2002

Answers

Patty, I have not used mullein (yet...) but I have read a lot about it. The use I most read about is using mullein oil for earaches. The leaves have beneficial properties when smoked, especially for asthma and tuberculosis. I think smoking herbs is something you don't hear about much because smoking (tobacco) in excess is really harmful to your body. There are other herbs, too, that when smoked in certain situations have helpful, medicinal properties. If a person is really opposed to smoking an herbal cigarette, you can light a small amount of herbs on fire in a fire-safe bowl and then blow out the flame so that the herbs are smoking (similar to lighting incense). Then you can lean over the bowl with a towel over your head and inhale deeply. Similar to a steam inhalation. This process is usually used when there is some sort of upper respiratory problem. Oooh, just read in one of my herb books that "traditionally, the plant was regarded as antiseptic and the large leaves produced the second year were wrapped around fruits to perserve them." Cool! Learn something new every day! Hope this helps!

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), May 31, 2002.

Wow Patty, what a great question and thanks Bren for the response. I had never heard of using the leaves to wrap things in. I've got mullien growing all over up here. Is there only one kind? As in,wild mullien vs. the kind you buy? I like when the stalks get real tall and have yellow flowers on them. Pretty herb.

-- Annie (mistletoe6@earthlink.net), May 31, 2002.

That's a great question, too, Annie! And here is another good example for learning the Latin botanical names of some plants. There are approximately 360 different species of mullein. The one that we see growing wild is Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) which was introduced here probably by Europeans. This year I'm growing a Turkish mullein (V. bombyciferum) hybrid, 'Artic Summer'. It has more silvery-white leaves but looks very similar to Common mullein. And then there are a whole bunch of new hybrids from yet another species of mullein. These all have 'names' and often you'll see them listed like this: V. x 'Gainsborough', V. x 'Helen Johnson', etc. These particular mulleins don't really look a lot like the common mullein and have been developed for various flower color. 'Summer Sorbet' has raspberry-peach blooms, 'Jackie' pale apricot blossoms. So a plant labeled just as mullein may not be exactly what you had in mind.

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), May 31, 2002.

I have the wild stuff all over here too.

-- Alison in NS (aproteau@istar.ca), May 31, 2002.

Hi Patty. I use Mullien alot. I use it with Garlic to make a tincture for earaches, and we boil up some tender, new leaves and drink it in a tea for congestion. The long stock/flower that is produced can be used when it dries for a night "light", it burns slow and bright! Sissy

-- Sissy (iblong2Him@ilovejesus.net), June 01, 2002.

Thanks for the reponses, I'll definately try some of the uses. I know I'll try and light up the stalk!

-- Patty (SycamoreHollow@aol.com), June 03, 2002.

Patty, you're suppose to smoke the leaves not the whole stalk! Heeheehee :o)

Seriously, I think I'm going to try burning the stalks for tiki torch. I wonder if it'll chase away the bugs, too.

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), June 03, 2002.

Ha! Medicinal interests only, lol.

That is what I was thinking, torches, if my kids had known that growing up, they would have had tons of fun with it!

They loved grazing, and sometimes folks thought they were nutty...laying in the clover making necklaces and eating violets.

-- Patty (SycamoreHollow@aol.com), June 03, 2002.

I have used and given my teenage children mullien tea when they had bronchitis. Be careful however, it is a natural narcotic and though it brings great relief in breathing don't drive after taking it until you know how it affects you. Depending on the strength it can send you to the moon. Read Earl Mindels' Herb Bible a very good book

-- (Queen Fey@aol.com), October 15, 2002.