Did you know Mullein has been used traditionally as a remedy for the respiratory tract (including bronchitis!). It works as an expectorant, this means it helps expel mucus. Expectorant herbs help loosen bronchial secretions making it easier to cough up the icky stuff, it’s also anti-inflammatory so helps with healing the lungs..

It’s got some pretty cool studies showing benefit for influenza A & B, it’s used to treat cough, pneumonia, and all sorts of respiratory problems. For those suffering with Covid it was a go to remedy to soothe the lungs. It’s not a cure but rather a tool for that seasonal tool belt. When I have a irritated cough I reach for this herb due to it’s slightly sedative and narcotic properties. Don’t worry, it isn’t actually a narcotic, you would need to extract from the seeds (we only use flowers and leaves for our double extraction tinctures)

Why double extract? Because some properties (like the mucinage) require a water extract and heat, while others prefer to be extracted using alcohol as a menstruum. We like to do both using a soxhlet extractor so you get the added benefit of the minerals.

One of the reasons we love Mullein so much is it’s affinity to dry, harsh, hacking coughs, and weak lungs. Tinctures can be taken directly under the tongue, in a small amount of water, or in hot water to evaporate off the alcohol and what is great is they can last for 5 years (when stored properly).

I’m a huge fan of both the tea (a decoction actually) and the tincture. Using both can help bring up mucus that may be settling in the chest or in the throat. It’s also a demulcent. Studies show that demulcents create a soothing anti-inflammatory coating over mucous membranes.