Mullein cough remedy a TB cure in 1800s
By Sari Huhtala
Bet you’ve driven or walked past this common weed many times, and never even realized its use as a tea to successfully cure tuberculosis in the late 1800s, not to mention its efficacy against the staphylococcal bacteria that can lead to flesh-eating disease. There’s still time to grab some of this herb for your winter medicine cabinet!
Recently a few people I know have reached out to ask for natural solutions to deal with a cough and my first go-to is always mullein, a common weed that grows abundantly in pastures, roadsides and meadows.
Mullein was a well-known remedy in Ireland in the 1800s, and was found to cure six out of seven cases of tuberculosis at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin, according to 2010 review What’s in a Name? Can Mullein Weed Beat TB Where Modern Drugs Are Failing? Mullein was found effective used in a tea, or when smoked. The review appeared in the scientific journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
It also has been linked to treating leprosy, which is known to be caused by mycobacteria. In the 1600s farmers also gave mullein broth to cattle suffering from coughs from the mycobacteria. Mullein’s anti-inflammatory constituent, verbacoside, along with its potent antibacterial properties have been shown to be effective against Klebsiella pneumoniae, the bacteria involved in sepsis. Researchers have discovered its efficacy parallels that of the antibiotic Erythromycin in control studies.
“It has been shown to be effective against a wide range of bacteria, but is particularly active against gram positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, including drug resistant strains,” according to the review.
In popular complimentary medicine mullein flower oil is used successfully as a remedy for earaches.
Harvesting and saving mullein for the winter ahead is easy. To harvest leaves, look for the second-year mullein, which has no flower stalk. Cut leaves, wash and pat dry. Set out onto a rack or even a plate will do, to allow to air dry for a couple of weeks, out of direct sunlight. Once dry, the leaves will break up easily when pinched. Store in a sealed jar out of direct sunlight.
Make a mullein tea by using the equivalent of one medium-size leaf, placed in a tea ball or strainer, and infused in a 2-cup teapot of boiled water, for at least 10 minutes. You can also allow it to steep for several hours, even overnight, and drink cold or gently heat it up.
Although its flowering season has come to an end, it’s worth foraging next summer. Simply pluck the yellow flowers off the stem, fill a one cup mason jar with clean flowers, then fill jar with olive oil, grapeseed oil or organic sunflower oil to cover flowers completely. Allow to infuse for a month. Shaking daily if possible, and ensuring the plant material is covered by the oil to prevent spoilage.
Once infused, use a cheesecloth to strain the oil, removing all traces of plant material, and place the oil in a sterilized glass jar with a lid. Store out of direct sun.
Mother nature’s medicine awaits!
(This information is not intended to replace medical advice and treatment from a health care practitioner).
Sari Huhtala is the creator, publisher and editor of Alive and Fit Magazine, which was created in 2007. She has over 25 years of experience in journalism and over 15 years of experience as a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor, and is a holistic chef, offering holistic cooking and edible wilds workshops. She is an organic farmer, wild-crafter and grandmother, who has spent over 20 years navigating a holistic, healthy path for her family. Reach her at friends@thelaughingforest.ca
