Verbascum thapsus also known as Mullein consists of flavonoids, saponins, iridoid glycosides, tannins, resins, bitters and phenylethanoid and lignan glycosides (verbascoside). These all play a part in the plants medicinal actions that include anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, demulcent and emollient, expectorant, and vulnerary. I recently was introduced to this plant by my dad, because someone had suggested he try smoking it to help clear out his lungs and he was impressed with the effectiveness it had. It has been used in Spanish traditional medicine to treat disorders including skin diseases, circulatory and digestive, respiratory systems, and infectious and parasitic diseases (Blanco-Salas et al., 2021). It can be used topically to treat abdominal pain that is attributed to liver or gut inflammation, but also consumed to help with gallstones, diarrhea, and constipation (Blanco-Salas et al., 2021). Luteolin, quercetin, and kaempferol are found within Mullein and interact with NOX4, which is an enzyme implicated in the production of superoxide anion and other reactive oxygen species that explains the anti-inflammatory properties of Mullein (Blanco-Salas et al., 2021). At this time there are no known contraindications associated with Mullein.
For a client who currently smokes, has a lot of phlegm in the lungs, I would incorporate this as a tea to be used 3 times a day since it an effective demulcent. It also helps thin the mucous and can help dispel any bacteria associated from the body. To make the tea it would be use 2 teaspoons of dried mullein leaves steeped in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes.
Resource:
1. Blanco-Salas, J., Hortigón-Vinagre, M. P., Morales-Jadán, D., & Ruiz-Téllez, T. (2021). Searching for scientific explanations for the uses of Spanish Folk Medicine: A review on the case of Mullein (Verbascum, Scrophulariaceae). Biology, 10(7), 618. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology10070618
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