“Cowboy’s toilet paper?” That’s just one of the nicknames for Mullein. This herbaceous plant before you has quite the story to tell.
Mullein is native to Europe, Northern Africa, and Asia. It has also naturalized here in the United States. You’ll often spot Mullein in meadows or along roadsides in the Santa Fe region. It’s a delightful sight.
Let’s talk about Mullein’s appearance. In its first year, Mullein grows as a low rosette. Its fuzzy, silvery leaves stay semi-evergreen even in winter. Cold temperatures prompt the flower stalks to appear in the second year. These stalks can be singular or branching.
Mullein flowers are a sight to behold. Each plant opens only a few of its five-petaled flowers at a time. They open before dawn and close in the afternoon. This attracts various bees, butterflies, and other insects. The common Mullein boasts yellow flowering stalks. But did you know there are other varieties? The purple Mullein features flowers in violet, lilac, white, and rose tones.
Mullein’s name has interesting origins. Verbascum comes from the Latin word “barbascum” or bearded. This describes the hairy stamens of the plant. The common name “mullein” comes from “mollis”. That Latin term refers to the soft hairs covering the leaves.
Speaking of those hairs, watch out. They can sometimes cause skin irritation.
Mullein has a rich history of medicinal use. The Greek physician Pedanius Discorides recommended it for lung conditions. That was way back in the 1st century CE. Herbal traditions brought Mullein’s health benefits to North America. European colonists integrated it into Native American healing practices. The Abanaki tribe used the roots for teething necklaces. Native Americans used the leaves as a poultice for wounds.
Mullein can be used in many ways. It can be an extract, syrup, or tea. For centuries, it has been an expectorant. It offers throat and lung relief for colds and coughs. Mullein tea can help the body fight viral infections. The leaves and flowers have antibacterial properties. They also soothe nerves, promoting a good night’s rest. Mullein flower oil mixed with garlic is a traditional remedy for earaches. Recent studies even suggest antidiabetic and antioxidant properties.
Beyond medicine, Mullein has other uses. Soaking the flowers and leaves provides yellow dyes for yarn. Mullein stalks dipped in wax can serve as torches.
The tall, stately Mullein is called “Königskerze” or King’s Candle in German. It’s a fitting name for a plant that captures attention. Mullein is a hardy plant that thrives in sunny spots. It tolerates various soils. Its dead leaves enrich the soil. Mullein requires open ground and sunshine to germinate.