Practical
Plants

Verbascum thapsus

Great Mullein

a biennial member of the Verbascum genus in the family Scrophulariaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
biennial
Height
1.8 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Flies, Lepidoptera, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Flies, Lepidoptera, Self

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves contain rotenone and coumarin, though the quantities are not given[13]. Rotenone is used as an insecticide and coumarin can prevent the blood from clotting[K]. Hairs on the leaves can act as an irritant[13].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An aromatic, slightly bitter tea can be made by infusing the dried leaves in boiling water for 5 - 10 minutes[10]. A sweeter tea can be made by infusing the fresh or dried flowers[10].

Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Great mullein is a commonly used domestic herbal remedy, valued for its efficacy in the treatment of pectoral complaints[16]. It acts by reducing the formation of mucus and stimulating the coughing up of phlegm, and is a specific treatment for tracheitis and bronchitis[15]. The leaves and the flowers are anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant and vulnerary[16][19][6][12][17][18][7][13]. An infusion is taken internally in the treatment of a wide range of chest complaints and also to treat diarrhoea[16][14]. The plant combines well with other expectorants such as coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris)[15]. Externally, a poultice of the leaves is a good healer of wounds and is also applied to ulcers, tumours and piles[16][13][15]. Any preparation made from the leaves needs to be carefully strained in order to remove the small hairs which can be an irritant[19]. The plant is harvested when in flower and is dried for later use[14]. An infusion of the flowers in olive oil is used as earache drops, or as a local application in the treatment of piles and other mucous membrane inflammations[16][13][14]. This infusion is also strongly bactericidal[16]. A decoction of the roots is said to alleviate toothache and also relieve cramps and convulsions[16]. The juice of the plant and powder made from the dried roots is said to quickly remove rough warts when rubbed on them[16]. It is not thought to be so useful for smooth warts[16]. The seeds are slightly narcotic and also contain saponins[16]. A poultice made from the seeds and leaves is used to draw out splinters[16]. A decoction of the seeds is used to soothe chilblains and chapped skin[19]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh leaves[16]. It is used in the treatment of long-standing headaches accompanied with oppression of the ear[16].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Demulcent
Product or use
Emollient
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Narcotic
Product or use
Odontalgic
Product or use
Vulnerary

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers by boiling them in water[16]. When used with dilute sulphuric acid they produce a rather permanent green dye, this becomes brown with the addition of alkalis[16][6][2][8]. An infusion of the flowers is sometimes used to dye the hair a golden colour[16][11]. The flowering stems can be dipped in wax and used as torches[18][3][5]. The down on the leaves and stems makes an excellent tinder when quite dry[16][18][4]. It is also used as an insulation in shoes to keep the feet warm[16][11] and to make wicks for candle[1][16][6][2][4][5]. One report says that the leaves contain rotenone, though it does not say in what quantity[13]. Rotenone is used as an insecticide[K].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Insecticide
Product or use
Insulation
Product or use
Lighting
Product or use
Tinder
Product or use
Wick

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to Spain, temperate Asia to China.
Habitat
Sunny positions in uncultivated fields and waste ground, especially on dry soils[19][6][9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow late spring to early summer in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[11]. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and plant them out in late summer. The seed has a long viability[11].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most well-drained soils, including dry ones, and prefers a sunny position[11]. Dislikes shade and wet soils[11]. Thrives on chalk[11]. Prefers a light soil[11]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus, though the progeny are usually sterile[11]. A very ornamental plant, it often self-sows, especially on dry calcareous soils[18][5].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

    ↩1↩2

  3. Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-090-x

    ↩

  4. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩1↩2

  5. RHS. The Garden. Volume 113. Royal Horticultural Society 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  8. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩

  9. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  10. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  11. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  12. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  13. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  14. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3

  15. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3

  16. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12↩13↩14↩15↩16↩17↩18↩19

  17. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  18. De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden.

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  19. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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