Holistic Health Herbal Medicine The Health Benefits of Mullein Soothe the Respiratory Tract, Ease Ear Pain, and Fight Infection By Cathy Wong facebook twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Cathy Wong Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc on July 07, 2020 facebook twitter linkedin Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc, is a board-certified acupuncturist, herbalist, and integrative medicine doctor practicing in Santa Monica, California. Learn about our Medical Review Board Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc Updated on July 09, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Health Benefits Possible Side Effects Dosage and Preparations What to Look For Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a common weed that has long been used in herbal medicine, especially in remedies that aim to soothe the respiratory tract. These remedies involve the use of mullein's flowers and leaves. Mullein is also sometimes used as a flavoring agent in alcoholic beverages. Schmitz Olaf / E+ / Getty Images Health Benefits Certain compounds in mullein's leaves and flowers are thought to act as demulcents or expectorants. Demulcents are substances that calm irritation or inflammation in the skin or internal parts of the nose, mouth, or throat. Expectorants are agents for stimulating the production or secretion of phlegm. In some cases, mullein is applied directly to the skin to help treat burns or inflammatory skin conditions. Mullein oil is also used in ear drops for the treatment of ear infections. In lab tests published in 2002, researchers found that mullein helped kill certain types of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus (the most common cause of staph infections) and Escherichia coli (or E. coli). Herbalists typically use mullein to address the following health problems: Upper respiratory tract infectionsCoughsBronchitisAsthma The use of mullein to treat any condition is not well-supported by scientific data. However, preliminary research suggests that mullein shows promise for use in the treatment of the following conditions: Flu In test-tube research, mullein has been found to fight flu-causing viruses. However, since the flu can lead to serious illnesses such as pneumonia, it's critical to seek medical attention when experiencing flu symptoms (rather than attempting to self-treat the condition). Ear infections In a 2003 study of 171 children with otalgia (ear pain or an earache), those who used ear drops containing mullein (along with garlic, Calendula, St. John's wort, lavender, vitamin E, and olive oil) had a statistically significant improvement in ear pain over the course of three days. In fact, those who were given ear drops alone had a better response than those who were given ear drops together with amoxicillin. Possible Side Effects Although there are no known adverse effects associated with the use of mullein, it's important to educate yourself about supplement safety before using any herb. Supplements haven't been tested for safety and due to the fact that dietary supplements are largely unregulated, the content of some products may differ from what is specified on the product label. Also keep in mind that the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications have not been established. Dosage and Preparations There is not enough scientific data to determine a specific appropriate dose of mullein. However, in studies, a specific product that contains mullein, garlic, calendula, and St. John’s wort has been used in the ear for up to three days. The correct dose for you may depend on factors including your age, gender, body weight, and medical condition. Speak with a healthcare provider to get personalized advice. What to Look For Tinctures, capsules, lozenges, powders, and ear drops containing mullein are found in many health food stores. Due to the limited research, it's too soon to recommend mullein as a treatment for any condition. If you're considering using it, talk to your doctor to weigh the potential risks and benefits. Keep in mind that alternative medicine should not be used as a substitute for standard care. Self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Mullein. Natural Medicines Database. Professional Monograph. 7/26/2018 Riaz, M., Zia-Ul-Haq, M., Jaafar, H. Common mullein, pharmacological and chemical aspects. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia. 2013; 23(6), 948-959. doi:10.1590/S0102-695X2013000600012 Sarrell EM, Cohen HA, Kahan E. "Naturopathic Treatment for Ear Pain in Children." Pediatrics 2003 111(5 Pt 1):e574-9. Turker AU, Camper ND. "Biological Activity of Common Mullein, A Medicinal Plant." Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2002 82(2-3):117-25. Turker AU, Gurel E. "Common Mullein (Verbascum Thapsus L.): Recent Advances in Research." Phytotherapy Research 2005 19(9):733-9.