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10 Amazing Health Benefits Of Mullein Tea

July 11, 2018 by Renold Rajan

Did you ever hear about Mullein tea before? And are you aware that it is a special kind of tea that offers numerous health benefits? Also known as Candlewick plant and flannel leaf, this tea was used by the Greeks in the ancient times for healing cold, and also as an astringent and sedative. (1)

Would you like to know how to prepare this magical tea at home and the amazing benefits it offers? Then sit back and read on!

Mullein – A Brief

The Mullein plant is native to Europe, but later made way to the USA. In the USA, it is more of an invasive weed. It grows rapidly in abandoned fields and highway sides. Mullein tea is made from the yellow flowers of this plant. However, there are a few variants, and their flower colours can be purple and reddish. The plants can be six feet in height, and the aroma is similar to that of honey. It is also interesting to note that several alcoholic beverages contain mullein. (2)

[ Read: Health Benefits Of Yellow Tea ]

How To Make Mullein Tea:

It is quite easy to make Mullein tea, which can be consumed for its medicinal properties. You can easily grow the plant in the garden and it requires little nurturing as such. You can pick the leaves before the plant is covered with flowers. The leaves can be dried in the sun for use as tea.

At first, add two spoons of dry mullein leaves in a bowl.
Pour some boiled water over it.
Allow the tea to steep for some time.
Now use a strainer to strain the tea.

If you cannot get dried Mullein leaves, resort to fresh leaves. Remember that you will need to use fresh leaves to make tea. To add to the flavour, you can pour a few drops of honey and lemon juice to the tea. You can drink the tea both cold and hot. The tea can also be stored in the refrigerator for a few days and re-used.

Mullein tea benefits are surplus, let’s have a look at the major ones here:

1. Respiratory Ailments:

Having Mullein tea can help you combat a number of respiratory ailments and conditions like cold, cough and bronchitis. It can also offer relief from sore throats. Its anti-bacterial properties help cope with inflammation and infection.

Besides, it helps discard excess mucus from the throat and nasal passages. (3) You may offer this tea to kids suffering from cold without worrying about any side effects. Apart from drinking the tea, you can also try gargling it two times a day to relieve sore throats.

2. Relief From Sleeping Problems:

Insomnia is a growing issue amongst men and women belonging to various age groups. Instead of popping those OTC pills to doze off, you can resort to Mullein tea to battle insomniac nights. It acts as a natural sedative and soothes your nerves.

3. Relief From Tuberculosis:

Several studies are being conducted today to establish that Mmullein can be used in the treatment of tuberculosis, skin diseases and even leprosy. (4) A number of them have also shown conclusive positive results. But did you know? Way back in the 16th century, Mullein was used to treat cases of tuberculosis. One 19th-century experiment conducted at Dublin also indicated the herb’s ability to aid in battling the ailment. It has expectorant and anti-bacterial properties, and more studies are needed to establish it as a complete remedy for tuberculosis.

4. Improving Digestive Issues:

Drinking Mullein tea can help you cope with a number of digestive conditions and problems. It can provide relief to those suffering from diarrhoea and constipation. (5) It also helps cope with bowel related problems and help your body eliminate toxins easily.

[ Read: Benefits Of Tulsi Tea ]

5. Soothes Skin Conditions:

Apart from Mullein tea, you can also use Mullein oil to get relief from a variety of skin conditions. It can work wonders on blisters, wounds and small cuts. In fact, you can apply Mullein leaf tea on sores and wounds externally too. It has a calming effect on the skin. Mullein, mixed with olive oil, can also be applied in such conditions for quick relief.

6. Relief From Joint Pain, Muscle Spasm:

It is believed that Mullein tea’s anti-inflammatory properties make it ideal to use in healing joint pain. This herb can bring down the inflammation, and can also be used to treat muscle spasms.

7. Treating Asthma:

Using Mullein tea can be beneficial for people afflicted with asthma. You can drink the tea, or can even inhale the vapor of the plant leaves in hot water. It can also be useful when you are suffering from nasal congestion. You can even use the dried leaves of the herb to make herbal and harmless cigarettes!

8. Treating Ear Related Infections:

Since ancient times, Mullein leaves have been used to treat ear infections. Those suffering from ear ailments can resort to it instead of seeking antibiotic treatments. Some studies also suggest that Otikon Otic Solution, which contains mullein, can help treat ear pain and infection in children and teens.

9. Treating Thyroid Gland Problems:

It is believed that drinking Mullein tea can improve thyroid related problems and bring relief from an overactive thyroid gland. However, not more than 3g of the herb should be ingested.

10. Headache Relief:

When you suffer from headaches, using this tea can be more effective than resorting to OTC pain balms and sprays. The leaves and fruits of this herb have been effectively used for several years to treat migraine.

[ Read: Benefits Of Lemongrass Tea ]

Side Effects Of Mullein Leaf:

While using any herb or extract, you need to be aware of the possible side effects as well. Thankfully, Mullein plant and its tea do not have any documented severe side effects on humans. The few reactions that can occur in some users are not fatal and can be dealt with. Studies do not show any side effects even on pregnant women. However, it is suggested that expectant mothers avoid prolonged use of any compound that contains Mullein. The few not-so-fatal side effects of this herb are:

¬ Skin irritation:

Some women and men have reported skin irritation after using Mullen extracts in tea and other forms. It could be an allergy. However, avoiding the extract can cure the skin irritation in such people.

¬ Breathing issues:

Mullein leaves are fluffy and hairy. If they manage to get into throats, breathing issues can affect the users. This may happen when you make the tea and do not strain the mixture well. In some isolated cases, people taking the tea have reported difficulty inhaling and inflammation of the chest wall. However, medical intervention is not required in most instances.

While laying your hands on this herb can be difficult, do not give up. As exotic as it is, this miraculous herb can be just what you are looking for to get rid of that nagging headache or shoo away a nasty cold!

Hope you found this post helpful. Share your mullein tea recipes and experience with us by commenting below.

Renold Rajan

A software engineer by profession, I have always harboured an interest in literature, movies and theatre! Through this portal I wish to share with readers my ideas and crafty tips that are sure to come handy in day to day life!