Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
SKU:
MUL5
$5.00
$5.00
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Scientific name: Verbascum thapsus
Other Names: Velvet Dock, Aaron's Rod, Peter's Staff, Grandmother's Flannel, Our Lady's Flannel, Hag's Taper, Velvet Plant, Candlewick Plant
Origin: Europe; ours comes from the Arizona deserts
Form: leaves, stems, flowers and buds
Esoteric Uses: Drive off evil, hexing and cursing, summoning the Dead, prevent nightmares, psychic visions
Medicinal Uses: Asthma, colds, respiratory problems, ear infections, excema, mild sedative
Esoteric Associations: Jupiter, Fire
Quantity: Comes in a 3x4 inch bag, generously stuffed.
Other Names: Velvet Dock, Aaron's Rod, Peter's Staff, Grandmother's Flannel, Our Lady's Flannel, Hag's Taper, Velvet Plant, Candlewick Plant
Origin: Europe; ours comes from the Arizona deserts
Form: leaves, stems, flowers and buds
Esoteric Uses: Drive off evil, hexing and cursing, summoning the Dead, prevent nightmares, psychic visions
Medicinal Uses: Asthma, colds, respiratory problems, ear infections, excema, mild sedative
Esoteric Associations: Jupiter, Fire
Quantity: Comes in a 3x4 inch bag, generously stuffed.
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Description
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Precautions
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Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a species of mullein native to Europe, northern Africa and Asia, and introduced in the Americas and Australia. It is a hairy biennial plant that can grow to 2 m or more tall. Its small yellow flowers are densely grouped on a tall stem, which bolts from a large rosette of leaves. It grows in a wide variety of habitats, but prefers well-lit disturbed soils, where it can appear soon after the ground receives light, from long-lived seeds that persist in the soil seed bank. It is a common weedy plant that spreads by prolifically producing seeds, but rarely becomes aggressively invasive, since its seed require open ground to germinate. It is a very minor problem for most agricultural crops, since it is not a very competitive species, being intolerant of shade from other plants and unable to survive tilling. It also hosts many insects, some of which can be harmful to other plants. Although individuals are easy to remove by hand, populations are difficult to eliminate permanently.
Folklore and Esoteric Uses
Common Mullein is often touted as a necromantic herb, used in left-handed magic and the dark arts. However, it is much more than that, so let's get out of the pigeon-hole momentarily.
Mullein is grown easily as a medicinal and esoteric herb, thriving in less than ideal soil conditions. It is often found by roadsides and in areas considered to have waste soil, such as gravel. According to folklore, the plant was used to make dyes and torches. The stalk of mullein is straight and sturdy and when the leaves are peeled off it resembles a rod. The dried leaves and hair were made into candle wicks, or put into shoes to help with insulating them. The dried stems were also dipped into suet or wax to make torches. The large, soft leaves are covered in a fine down and the tall stems were once used as tapers to light the way in funeral processions. In folk magic, like many ancient medicinal plants Common Mullein was linked to witches. It was allegedly used to summon the Dead and widely held to ward off curses and evil spirits. Mullein is often inaccurately identified as graveyard dirt or interchangeable as graveyard dirt. This is incorrect. Graveyard dirt is exactly that - graveyard dirt.
Common mullein is also smoked as a ritual and medicinal tobacco by some Native tribes.
Medicinal Uses
Mullein is widely used for herbal remedies with emollient and astringent properties. It is especially recommended for coughs and related problems and is smoked as a remedy for asthma, chest congestion and other lung problems; but, it is also used in topical applications against a variety of skin problems. It is a mild sedative and excellent expectorant when used medicinally either as a tea or herbal smoke. Mixed with Lobelia and horehound, it makes for a calming cure for respiratory distress.
References
Folklore and Esoteric Uses
Common Mullein is often touted as a necromantic herb, used in left-handed magic and the dark arts. However, it is much more than that, so let's get out of the pigeon-hole momentarily.
Mullein is grown easily as a medicinal and esoteric herb, thriving in less than ideal soil conditions. It is often found by roadsides and in areas considered to have waste soil, such as gravel. According to folklore, the plant was used to make dyes and torches. The stalk of mullein is straight and sturdy and when the leaves are peeled off it resembles a rod. The dried leaves and hair were made into candle wicks, or put into shoes to help with insulating them. The dried stems were also dipped into suet or wax to make torches. The large, soft leaves are covered in a fine down and the tall stems were once used as tapers to light the way in funeral processions. In folk magic, like many ancient medicinal plants Common Mullein was linked to witches. It was allegedly used to summon the Dead and widely held to ward off curses and evil spirits. Mullein is often inaccurately identified as graveyard dirt or interchangeable as graveyard dirt. This is incorrect. Graveyard dirt is exactly that - graveyard dirt.
Common mullein is also smoked as a ritual and medicinal tobacco by some Native tribes.
Medicinal Uses
Mullein is widely used for herbal remedies with emollient and astringent properties. It is especially recommended for coughs and related problems and is smoked as a remedy for asthma, chest congestion and other lung problems; but, it is also used in topical applications against a variety of skin problems. It is a mild sedative and excellent expectorant when used medicinally either as a tea or herbal smoke. Mixed with Lobelia and horehound, it makes for a calming cure for respiratory distress.
References
- United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Area Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).
- Grieve M. A Modern Herbal. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.
Standard: Small hairs on mullein leaf may cause mechanical irritation in the mouth and throat if not filtered out of extracts prior to consumption.
General: Always consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, on any medications or using with children.
Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Information and statements regarding folkloric use of herbs, plants and roots have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Read our complete Terms of Use.
General: Always consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, on any medications or using with children.
Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Information and statements regarding folkloric use of herbs, plants and roots have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Read our complete Terms of Use.