When people talk about the mullein or wool flower, they usually mean a Verbascum species with golden-yellow flowers. With regard to toxicity or healing effects, a distinction must be made between different types of mullein.

Healthy tea can be made from the flowers and leaves of the mullein

Attention poisonous: the black mullein

In contrast to the cotton flower with yellow individual flowers and a height of up to two meters, the black mullein (Verbascum nigrum) is usually smaller (up to about 120 centimeters high) and is characterized by striking purple stamens on the pale yellow flowers. The herb, which is less hairy than the cotton flower native to cottage gardens, contains the toxic spermine kaloid verbacin and the iridoid aucubin.

The poisonous effects of yellow-flowered mullein on animals

Although the wool flower, which is valued for its healing properties and has therefore been planted in monastery and farm gardens for centuries, is non-toxic to humans and was probably also sometimes fed to cattle as a natural remedy, parts of the plant are said to have a toxic effect on fish and other animals. It is said that Aristotle scattered the seeds of the plant in water in order to facilitate fishing through the numbing effect of the saponins contained in the fish.

Use for healing teas and inhalations

Even Hippocrates and Hildegard von Bingen appreciated the properties of mullein as a natural medicine. Areas of application for today's use are in the following areas:

  • to dissolve mucus in colds and coughs
  • to treat asthma
  • in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders

From the dried leaves and flowers of the mullein, either extracts are made with high-quality oils or teas are freshly brewed.

tips and tricks

Since recognizing the right type of plant and completely drying the parts of the plant require certain knowledge, mullein teas can also be purchased in pharmacies under the name Verbasci flos.

Category:

Herbs