Verbascum, Mullein

High Taper, Torchweed
Picture Picture
Della Materia Medicinale Andrea Valuassori, 1562

 Kurtzes Handtbuchlein, Ryff, 1599
Picture Koehler’s Medizinal Pflanzen, 1887

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Botanical name:


Verbascum thapsus (syn. V. thapsiforme), V. phlomoides
It has been used in TCM (Mao Rui Hua) but is not a commonly used medicine.

Parts used:


Leaf; Flower; Root

Temperature & Taste:


Neutral, dry. Sweet, Bitter

Classifications:


2L. EMOLLIENT.    2Q. ANODYNE
3L. ANTI-TUSSIVE

Uses:


1. Clears Heat and Phlegm, Moistens Dryness, Stops Coughs: (West, Tibet, TCM)
-“Coughs, Ulcers of the Lungs, Spitting of Blood, Asthmas” (Salmon).
-“The decoction is useful in chronic Cough“. (Avicenna)
-Asthma, Emphysema, Consumption, Blood in the Sputum; Pneumonia (TCM)

2. Clears Phlegm, Resists Poison, Resolves Swellings: (West, Tibet, TCM)
-Tonsillitis, Malignant Sore Throat, and various swellings and tumors of the throat (internally, and as a gargle);
-Scrofula, Lymphadenitis, various Nodes, Tumors and Cancer; Toxic Sores in TCM

3. Nourishes the Sinews, Stop Wind and Spasms:
-stiffness of the Sinews, Cramps, Convulsions (esp. Root); inflammatory conditions of the bones, sinews and joints
-Epilepsy; most used for Convulsion and Epilepsy in children

4. Clears Heat, Stops Leakages and Bleeding:
-leakages or bleeding from the Lungs or Bowels;
-painful Diarrhea, and Dysentery, with or without blood.

5. Benefits the Heart and Circulation, Moves the Blood:
-Palpitations, irregular heartbeats and Angina.
-varicose veins and ulcers.
-Long used for the pain and swelling of Hemorrhoids.

6. Clears Heat and Damp, Promotes Urine:
-promotes Urine, helps clear Gravel and Stones;
-inflammation or irritation of the Urinary system, Orchitis, Chronic Cystitis, and Painful Urination.
-internally and externally for Rheumatic condition.

7. Tonic:
-Potter, in his Compend of Materia Medica (1902) said ‘highly praised as a substitute for Cod-liver Oil in phthisis and other wasting diseases’. (decocted in Milk or taken with Honey for this purpose)

8. Externally:
-“The decoction of the leaves of Mullein is useful in Swelling, Wounds and Ulcers. It is mixed with Honey and used as a plaster”. (Avicenna)
-leaves boiled in Vinegar and applied to Foul Sores and Ulcers, as well as various Swellings and Tumors.
-juice is rubbed onto Warts
-juice was used to draw Thorns and Splinters from the flesh
-catarrhal Deafness, degeneration of hearing
-Earache, Sores and Ulcers of the Ear.
-wash or poultice for heat and swelling of the Eyes (flowers steeped in Rose Water is good).
-mouthwash eases Toothache (esp. Root decoction). (Avicenna)
-contracted Sinews and Rheumatic complaints
-‘The seed bruised and boiled in wine, and laid on any member that has been out of joint, and newly set again, takes away all swelling and pain’ (Culpeper).
-Ashes of the herb made into a wash restore Grey hair to its original color.

Dose:


INFUSION or BRIEF DECOCTION of the Leaf: 3–9 grams
POWDER of the LEAF: 300mg–1.5 grams, up to 3 grams
Used externally in oils, plaster, poultices, ointments and in douches, enemas and baths. As an enema for Intestinal infections, or to clean the bowels, a handful of the mixed leaves and flowers, fresh or dried, may be simmered, then steeped, strained and used.
Picture

Main Combinations:


1. Cold, Flu, acute Cough, Mullein  … available in PRO version
2. Cough:
i. Mullein with  … available in PRO version
ii. Mullein with  … available in PRO version
iii. sore Throat, Hoarseness, Mullein with  … available in PRO version
3. Bronchitis:
i. Mullein with  … available in PRO version
ii. Mullein with  … available in PRO version
iii. Mullein with  … available in PRO version
iv. acute Cough and Bronchitis, Mullein with  … available in PRO version
4. Asthma:
i. Mullein with  … available in PRO version
ii. Mullein with  … available in PRO version
5. Hemoptysis or Consumption, Mullein with  … available in PRO version
6, Cancer:
i. Mullein with  … available in PRO version
7. Fomentation for bleeding Hemorrhoids, Mullein with  … available in PRO version
8. Wash for Stiffness and Cramps, Mullein with  … available in PRO version

Major Formulas:


Infusion of Seven Flowers
Decoction for Cancer (Fuller)
Universal Vulnerary Decoction (Joseph Du Chesne)
Warming Pearl Powder (Diamargariton Calidum) (Avicenna)
Powder to Purge in Ascites (Nicholas)

Cautions:


Generally Safe.
Seed and fresh root are toxic in large doses.

Main Preparations used:


Distilled water of the Flowers, Infused Oil of the Flowers (repeated several times)