Description
Mullein
Botanical Name: Verbascum thapsus
Mullein is an attractive addition to the garden with a large rosette of grey woolly leaves up to 50cm long and tall thick spires surrounded at the top with small yellow flowers with 5 petals. The plant is native to Western Europe but has become a weed in some countries.
Mullein is a bitter cooling mucilaginous herb. Both leaves and flowers are used. Internally it is used for coughs, bronchitis, tonsillitis, asthma and urinary tract infections.
The flowers can be infused in oil and used for earache (do not use if eardrum has ruptured). It is soothing on nappy rash, sores and boils.
Growing Conditions
Mullein grows in a wide range of conditions and is a weed in some areas of Australia. In sub-tropical areas it is usually an annual flowering in the first year and can be affected by wet humid conditions. In colder climates it is biennial and flowers in its second year. It prefers to grow in full sun with well drained soil.
