Have you been mulling about drinking some type of tea that is out of the ordinary yet still packs quite a healthy punch? Mullein tea, pronounced similarly to the word “mulling” (minus the G), could be a unique proposition from the usual and humdrum choices out there. Read on as this just might be the type of tea you’ve been looking for.
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What is a Mullein Plant?
Most of you may be unfamiliar with Mullein Tea, but this is from a plant that is very much abundant throughout North America. Growing in hot, dry, and arid places, this plant tends to grow where there are people around so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that you may have walked past it without even realizing it. Originating in Europe, Mullein was used by early European settlers in America to ward off evil spirits; one of which was Malaria. They would plaster Mullein leaves all over their arms and legs to protect themselves from evil spirits and whatever that was causing sickness. Well, it turns out that those beliefs may not have been entirely foolish because this plant has been accounted for and documented in olden European literature and even talked about by Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, about its many antimicrobial properties.
Health Benefits from Drinking Mullein Tea
In the olden days, Native Americans would roll up and smoke the leaves of the Mullein plant after smoking too much tobacco to soothe the lungs. The Mullein plant is perfect for those who have smoked too much because it works well as an analgesic (relieves pain) and antimicrobial in the lungs but also helps with spasm in the lung tissue itself and helps move out mucus from the lungs. It works well for those suffering from dry, inflamed, irritated bronchitis, tuberculosis, and deep lung congestion. Aside from the respiratory benefits, this plant can be divided into three parts, each having its respective health benefits!
Mullein Flowers
The small, yellow flowers of the Mullein plant look like popcorn growing upwards into a long stalk. These flowers, when harvested, are dried first to prevent it from rotting and turning rancid then placed in olive oil. It is primarily used to treat ear infections as it is an effective antiseptic, anti analgesic, and anti-inflammatory agent. The flowers can also be used to treat eczema and can be soothing when applied to inflamed skin and also dry and cracked skin.
Mullein Leaves
Among the notable uses of the leaves apart from being smoked are that it can be used as a diaper and makes as a great toilet paper too. The leaves are big enough to cover a large surface area and are effective in treating diaper rash. It is usually soaked in hot water with a little vinegar and then used as a compress for hemorrhoids, gout, or irritated skin due to its antibacterial and antiviral properties. Aside from being used topically, the leaves can also be for drinking as tea. The large leaves need to be dried first and made into little pieces in preparation for tea.
Mullein Roots
The roots of the Mullein plant are very potent and can be used as medicine. When boiled and simmered, drinking the tea can alleviate abdominal pains, uterus cramps, and can also be used as a curative treatment for cancer.
Health Risks from Drinking Mullein Tea
One has to be wary though when drinking Mullein tea and it is imperative to use a strainer to separate the leaves properly. Mullein leaves contain micro hairs that can be very unpleasant when ingested and cause coughing and even throat irritations. For people with heart conditions, it is important to know that Mullein contains Coumarin, which is a known blood thinner, as this may pose contraindications with your prescribed medications. One should take precautionary measures in the consumption of Mullein tea because it contains Rotenone, which is an odorless and colorless form of insecticide. But perhaps utmost care must be exercised when handling the seeds of the Mullein plant because the seeds are toxic to humans. Although not a favorable practice, the seeds have been known to be used by fishermen to stun fish. It is also noteworthy to mention that Mullein is highly flammable, as it was at one point even used as a torch in the olden days.
Popular Brands of Mullein Tea
Celebration Herbals Mullein Leaf
Packaged in a white box with ornate flower paintings. Each box contains around twenty-four sachets of tea bags that are caffeine-free. Steep for three to five minutes for a pleasant leisure and relaxing drink, however, if you want to get the full medicinal benefits, steep it in boiling water for seven to twelve minutes to get the maximum effects.
Buddha Teas Mullein Tea
One of the more popular brands when looking for Mullein tea, Buddha Teas offers their tea infusion with a soothing and slightly sweet flavor. It is packaged in a black and yellow box with 18 individual tea bags. Use one teabag per cup of boiling water. Cover and let it steep for three to six minutes.
Alvita Caffeine Free Mullein Tea Bags
Since 1922, this blend of tea from Alvita has been traditionally used to soothe the respiratory system. Offered in a caffeine-free version and in twenty-four individual teabags, steep to a maximum of 5 minutes to get the full flavor and aroma of the tea.
Tea Haven Mullein Tea Bags
Tea Haven is a company that produces premium blends of specialty teas and herbs. They primarily offer the Mullein tea plain and on its own, though they also have on offer Mullein tea that is blended with Rooibos tea, White tea, Black tea, Green tea, and Oolong tea. The packaging is made available in both teabags and loose leaves form.
Herbal Kingdom Mullein Leaf Earl Grey Tea
Herbal Kingdom’s tea comes packed in twenty-five individual tea bags, try this for a unique twist to your normal Earl Grey Tea spiked with leaves from the Mullein plant. They also offer their Mullein tea blended with Lapsang Souchong Tea for that exotic oriental flavor. Steep in hot water for approximately five to seven minutes for the well-rounded flavor.
Four Elements Minus Sinus Spearmint Mullein Thyme Tea
Hand-harvested in Wisconsin’s pristine Baraboo bluffs, Four Elements offers their organic herbal tea with a sinus busting blend of Mullein tea mixed in with spearmint and a hint of thyme. Perfect for when you need to unclog and clear out your nose and sinus.
Artisane Herb+Spice Organic Mullein Leaf Tea
Proudly grown and produced in Australia, Artisane Herb+Spice offers its signature Mullein tea made from organic Mullein loose leaves. Steep for a maximum of fifteen minutes to extract the desired nutrients from the tea.
Elanen Naturals Dried Mullein Tea Leaf
Organically sourced Mullein leaves by Elanen Naturals ensures that their products are harvested and grown without the use of GMO’s, they are also proud to note that the loose tea leaves that go into each resealable package are BPA free.
Herbacil Mullein Tea Flowers
Made from the flowers of the Mullein plant, Herbacil offers this Mullein tea blend for a fragrant, aromatic, and slightly sweet tea to soothe your cough and flu.
Adornleaf Tea Company Mullein Tea Leaves
Rachel B. Jackson started this company with the intent of offering wholesome artisanal blends of teas. Based in Baton Rouge Louisiana, Adornleaf offers a host of unique herbal and floral blends. The Mullein tea blend is named “Mull it Over” and is made from loose Mullein leaves and flowers contained in a glass jar.
The Mullein plant, with its silvery green and fuzzy textured leaves and its yellow blossomed central stalks, towers high above growing up to eight feet in height. It is fairly abundant and easy to cultivate, though one should be wary especially when handling the seeds. For most of its history, the Natives and early European settlers have used Mullein in a variety of ways to treat a multitude of problems and ailments. These range from skin allergies, skin irritations, blisters, and hemorrhoids, to lung problems like bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and smoking too much tobacco. These were used extensively due to the analgesic nature of Mullein to suppress and relieve pain. Those that are fortunate to have a Mullein plant in their own backyard can harvest the flowers, the leaves, and the roots to maximize the health benefits each part has to offer. But for those who aren’t as lucky and want to get something convenient off the shelf, one can simply purchase from the several companies that have produced their version of Mullein tea for you to enjoy.
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