Mullein Leaf, Prep & Dose

Mullein leaves should be picked during the first year of their growth before the stalk shoots up. They are still good through the winter following the first growing season. In fact, Mullein leaves are still alive under the snow. Once the stalks appear the medicinal potency switches to the flowers. The traditional method of preparation was to put Mullein stalks and flowers in a bottle in the sunshine and let the oil drip down into the bottom. Generally they are now extracted in olive oil.

The leaves should be used when the condition involves the lungs and kidneys, the flowers are better for nerves. Wood recommends using the tea from the leaves, the tincture of leaves or flowers, the oil of the flowers. His low dose is 1-10 drops of tincture; 1 drop of the oil in the ear.

Mullein leaf is prepared in a short decoction or tincture. If used for intestinal infections with diarrhea, using goat's milk instead of water will enhance its astringent effect. Mullein syrup is excellent for most of the lung syndroms. Be sure to always strain through cloth to catch small hairs that can stick in the digestive tract if swallowed.

Mullein oil, prepared from the flowers, treats painful, swollen, inflamed conditions as well as earache, ear discharges and deafness. Mullein leaf or flower salve and cream are applied to inflamed and irritated infections.

Mullein flowers are better than the leaf in treating asthmatic conditions by circulating lung Qi. Mullein seed is also a bronchodilator and additionally is anticonvulsant in children. Mullein root has stronger astringent and diuretic properties than the leaf or flower, and is mainly given for function 3 above.

Dosage:

The daily dose is 3 to 4 grams herb.

Infusion: 1.5 to 2g finely cut leaf. 1 teaspoonful = 0.5g , 4-8 ounces 2-4 times a day. Prepare leaves in this manner for lung issues

Short Decoction 6-14 g

Tincture : Add 20g herb to 80g of 70% ethanol and leave to draw for 10 days. The tincture dose is 20-30 drops taken several times a day.

Glycerite Dried leaf (1:8); 2.5-10 ml, 3 times daily for lung issues

Physio-Medical Therapeutics, Materia Medica and Pharmacy BY T. J. LYLE, A.M.M. 1897