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Common Name: Great Mullein

General Information

Verbascum thapsus is a Biennial up to 1.80 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

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

Botanical References

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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[, , ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Biennial
Height	1.80 m
Pollinators	Flies, Lepidoptera, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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

Edible Uses

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

Medicinal

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

Other Uses

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

Propagation

Seed - sow late spring to early summer in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[]. 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[].