How To Identify Common Mullein - Medicinal Plants

Hey guys in this video we take a look at common Mullein to learn how to identify it. Common Mullein or Verbascum thaspus s it's known by it's scientific name is a popular and common medicinal plant that can be used for a decongestant. Identifying it is easy thanks to its unique features like a tall flowers pike with intermittent flowers. The flower buds resemble hops flowers, or even a brussel sprout, out of which a yellow flower with five petals will come out. The leaves of Common Mullein are very large and ovate in structure, being simple along the margins with no teeth or lobes. The leaves alternate down the stem and the leaf margin connects to the main stem of the plant. The alternate growing pattern of its ovate leaves and its tall flower spike with yellow five petaled flowers makes Mullein an easy plant to identify.
The plant is a biennial, meaning in its first year it grows in a basal rosette then the second year it sends up a flower spike to produce seed. The leaves, flowers, and stem can all be used for medicine and it has uses for a decongestant and some immune boosting properties. The plant can be used dried or fresh in teas or tinctures for clearing he throat and lungs of excess mucous.
I thank you guys for watching this video I hope you enjoyed it and I hope you learned something. If you want to learn more about wild edible or medicinal plants make sure to subscribe!
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[@martinkramer2826]

Scientific name is misspelled. It's Verbascum thapsus, not thaspus.

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

Uh oh, thanks for pointing that out! I'll pin your comment to the top and fix it in the video description.

[@alohomora0x]

I live in a farm where these grow all over the place. I’ve always wondered what they were, it’s so cool that they’re so useful and in my own back yard! Great video

[@mosescarolina9733]

The very thing I was coming here to say. Live on family farm in NC & its everywhere!! My late grandfather suffered asthma as a child & wonder if my grandmothers used ir

[@Deborah-gd4fq]

It’s great for allergies asthma and for smokers to clear out the mucus in the lungs

[@davidlamb7524]

Happy to hear the correct pronunciation

[@morganchilds6450]

this is awesome for your dog that has an ear infection. Pick it, dry it, then put it in a jar with olive oil and let it set a couple of weeks, strain it out and place drops of this oil concoction in your pets ears. It will handle the bacteria and yeast infection in the ears

[@foodforthesoul1326]

Lol. Read my comment, just before yours. You can soak the fresh flowers for a few weeks and use it for ear aches in people too.

[@mosescarolina9733]

Amazing!!! Try for posting!!👊💓

[@pamelawherey4583]

A woman down my street got put in a nursing home and in her absence her Mullein is flowering. It bloomed outside of her fence on our Main Street. I noticed it a couple weeks ago on my morning walk. At times I carried my camera with me to film it's progress. Yesterday a man was weeding outside the fence and I stopped and spoke to him saying, I hope you're not going to cut that flower down. He said I was going to but I won't now, cause I know it's a flower. He said I thought it was a weed. It is so huge!! Beautiful fuzzy leaves just like in this video describes. And the flowers are intermittent on the long stem, and yellow. Thank you for your video!!!💚

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

It's always amazing to see how many plants people think are useless weeds that are extremely beautiful and useful. Mullein is absolutely gorgeous and really unique too. A lot of people in my town plant it along their fences and near their mailboxes because they like the look of it. It's great you got him to leave it alone, you beautified the area just a bit more with your efforts and that's something we all need! Thank you for commenting Pamela!

[@pamelawherey4583]

Trillium: Wild Edibles I was surprised to know it was Mullein, I used to buy that supplement a few years back to bring mucus up out of my lungs! And here years later I encounter the plant, but thank you truly for posting this video because it was easy to find and the pictures were very good! Thanks again🌸💐🌸

[@garland978]

Mullein is one of my favorite wild plants. I like to eat the fresh flowers, they are very sweet. I dry the leaves and use them as tobacco substitute, great for asthma relief. Thank you Josh for sharing with us.

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

You're welcome Garland, I too love Mullein, but have never eaten it I'll try that for sure! I like to mix Mullein with lobelia inflata for smoking to clear the chest but yeah it does work wonders on the lungs even in tincture form! Thanks for commenting!

[@shirleylewis1366]

You can make a tea also after drying the leaves

[@Kathleen67.]

Wow, that was phenomenal. I enjoyed it.

[@garybaxter7297]

Its obvious Botnay is your bag. you are a great teacher, great video.

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

Thank you Gary, you're too kind!!

[@Humble-Daniel]

This is a super good identification video. It's awesome how you show it in its first year and second year forms. Can you imagine how it would look like with all of the yellow flowers open at once? Hahahaha it would be insane.

[@Hootyhoo-jq9vq]

Another excellent video. At the end of your videos I always wish there was more. I guess thats a good thing.

[@brandonfoley7519]

Omg! I've seen this plant souch and funny I've been looking for it but didn't know it looked like that .. thank you!

[@richmikesell7166]

I'm glad I subbd this channel. So much great information, explained very well!

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

Awesome, I'm glad you're enjoying it! Thanks for commenting!

[@justwondersometimes2482]

Thankyou. Great channel. Youre a kind hearted person, you didnt kill or flick off any ant.

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

You're welcome, I'm glad you like it! I don't like to do that, they're just ant being ants, lol! Thanks for commenting Justwonder/Sometimes!

[@bstillandknotruth]

I killed almost 10 ants while watching this video I didn't know that was mean there are so many and they are hurting me

[@josephmayeur1939]

@@bstillandknotruth WHAT KIND OF ANT'S DO YOU HAVE? HERE IN WISCONSIN WE HAVE BLACK ANT'S, RED ANT'S AND FIRE ANT'S. THE ONLY ONE'S THAT BITE ARE THE FIRE ANT'S AND THERE NOT THAT MUCH OF A PROBLEM HERE...

[@rhomanmason8131]

That was great I have these growing on my allotment I’ve subbed for more great vids like this thanks for sharing with us 👍🏼🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👍🏼

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

You're very welcome and thanks for subscribing!

[@andreacooley9428]

Thank you so much this is great information❤

[@kleineroteHex]

I run into them early May in Virginia, too early for flowers. around where I live I hardly find one, so I got seedlings last year and now I have 2 in my yard 😊 in some way they remind me of evening primrose which magically appeared (thank you birds)

[@suzieaguilar397]

kleineroteHex Oh my!!! Where in Virginia? Do you mind sharing, perhaps just the general location, such as northeast VA, or southwest VA, or name the county if you are willing. My husband and I are just learning to search for useful, edible weeds in Mid-Virginia near Thomas Jefferson's historic home. Thanks!!

[@kleineroteHex]

Suzie Aguilar we go to Massanutten resort over mother's day, pretty much every year. along the walk ways in the semi woods I find mullein growing, but they are too young, no flowerstalks at that time. that is not too far from you I think.

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

That's awesome you have some Mullein kleineroteHex! It does resemble it in a bit now that you mention it, that's cool!

[@suzieaguilar397]

kleineroteHex Thank you for sharing "where in Virginia" that you have found Mullein growing. So far, the only useful weed I have found is the dandelion, which I cannot manage to grab BEFORE the deer eat it all. The deer and other animals are so plentiful, continuously grassing the wild, beneficial plants, then eat almost 99% of them!! Animals seem to know instinctively which plants are good for them, unlike modern mankind. I am very happy for you that you found some seedlings, thus, have them growing in your yard. The deer are beautiful to observe: have seen several pretty, little fawns this summer, too. The deer must eat, too :-)

[@suzieaguilar397]

Trillium: Wild Edibles Thank you very, very much for making these wonderful, informative videos!!!

[@goleyassgolerose1769]

very descriptive , thanks

[@lindareinen4361]

My step mom said that her siblings and her, used to eat the leaves, when they were young. I guess it grew all over on their farm.

[@controlfoodcontrolthepeopl5627]

thanks for your knowledge

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

You're welcome Teja, thanks for commenting!

[@quashiesuzanne]

Great video

[@yeshuaisthewaythetruthandt515]

Thanku. Very informative. Very helpful

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

You're welcome glad it was able to help you out!

[@paulinenjah8583]

Thank you so much this video is great. I learned a lot about the identification

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

Thank you and I'm glad it was helpful for you!

[@marydelialipon1692]

Thank you KZbin always learned something interesting about HERB SOUNDS GREAT TO the owner thank you for your educational video for life Thanks for sharing with us MORE POWER TO YOU

[@Boymandudeguy]

one of the best stalks to make a spindle for a fire

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

I've never done that before with but I could see how it would work well. Thanks for commenting Comp Pend!

[@miss.apprehended]

Whaat?! Holy coincidence batman! I came across quite a few of these plants while black raspberry foraging several hours ago & wondered if they're fit for consumption of sorts -awesome timing! ^_^ Been learning bunches from your vids- thank y

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

That's awesome, glad this video was able to help you out Shannon! Thanks for commenting!

[@yvaneremy352]

Great informations thank you 🙏 unfortunately it’s very difficult to find in my country 🇭🇹

[@ArtDeGuerra]

i love the video. i was wondering when is the best time to look seeds. i do not use any plant that grows on the side of the road, and i want to grow some in my raised bed. Also what do the seeds look like?

[@saffronblu71]

I'm SO GLAD I Found your channel! Thank you! (yes, I'm subbed)! Where can I find these & if not, can I buy the seeds & grow my own?

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

You're welcome saffron! In the states and Europe it loves edges of fields, roadsides(not good place to harvest;too much toxic stuff), edges of woods and power line clearings(sometimes safe sometimes not, because of chemical treatment). I would assume anywhere else in the world it grows would be similar as far as habitat. You can totally buy the seeds online at many places and probably some local nurseries that carry wild plants. It does love poor soil so it's easy to grow from my understanding. Hope this helps a bit and thanks for asking!

[@ChicagoWoodsman]

Great video.

[@suzieaguilar397]

Chicago Woodsman Hello, no offence meant - truly, but your user name is something of a conundrum to me, even, an oxymoron!! But perhaps there are more wooded areas in Chicago than I have ever seen. It is a "brave" user name, a "real man" type user name. I picture a woodsman with a chopping ax raised above head, ready to chop down a tree for firewood. However, it can also picture a man who knows a particular wooded area like the back of his own hand. I hope you do not mind my wild imaginings. Lol, my husband is always chiding me for speaking too freely, but I do not mean to offend you. Blessings, have a good day, a good life .

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

Thank you Chicago Woodsman, I'm glad you liked it!

[@nck4888]

Mullein is amazing the family and I had some chest congestion, we made some tea and a few days later the nasty cough was gone. I really want to find out when to sow mullein seeds , want to spread the plant and make it more abundant in my area

[@nz1229]

What a great identification video. I never thought of it as Cowboy's toilet paper but I think it could work when camping - hilarious. BTW, I am trying to figure out what that weed is with the really large elephant ears we get in Ontario. I will check if it is elecampine but not sure. Can anyone let me know what it might be?

[@foodforthesoul1326]

The flowers of this plant, though fun to collect, can be soaked in oil for six weeks in a dark bottle and used in drops for ear aches as well.

[@andZekemakes4]

Our Mullein plant is in year 2. The stalks/plant has died. Is it okay to dig it up now. I read it had a 3-yr cycle, where it stands basically skelentonized in year 3? Besides reseeding, what is the purpose in letting it remain? It’s in a raised bed, I’d like to reseed it in another location

[@shawna1365]

Mine look like that but not fuzzy. Is this common? I'm in northern az.

[@maybel..]

Lambs ear is a completely different plant. This is NOT sometimes called lambs ear except by people who have mistaken it for lambs ear, who's flowers are white, not yellow

[@lauratyus3498]

Great video! Lambs ear is not the same as Mullein though. Stachys byzantina is the scientific name for Lambs ear. It does have medicinal properties but they are different than Mullein. The Mullein plant grows in a Rosette first year and the Lambs Ear grows out and upward not in a rosette.

[@GameNerdMom]

Lambs ear has a similar stalk but its has pink flowers instead and more of a blue-green color instead. Also much much more fuzzy almost on the verge of hairy. But lambs ear is a different plant entirely.

[@chrisrestifo7010]

I have observed in many livestock pastures that the animals, especially sheep, will eat everything except for the Mullein plants. Wonder why that is. ?

[@josanders1428]

Is this the same as Verb.Dark Eyes?

[@KingCharlieBlaze]

2021

[@longlivetheking4194]

I'm pretty sure Lambs Ear is it's own type of velvety plant.

[@sukhino4475]

Is it candle flower?

[@paulineottaviano3462]

I have 5 mullein plants growing in my yard

[@jdlives8992]

Fish love the seeds so much they will pass out ….

[@gladysmaroue9167]

Hi honey..my million has purple tiered flower seeds... Why ..is it something else?

[@controlfoodcontrolthepeopl5627]

Josh from research gut health can be accomplished with Mullein and also with Plantain. What do you use to promote gut health?

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

I usually just drink raw milk from a local grass fed farm, along with yogurt. At times I'll drink kombucha but really that's about it. Mullein works as a vermifuge to my knowledge, but don't know other ways it'll support the gut. I need to look that up sometime. Thanks for sharing and asking Teja!

[@tambraepps6814]

Can they be purple??

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

Common Mullein is always yellow in my experience. However there's a purple variety, Verbascum phoeniceum. Its flower stalk looks a lot different. Maybe that's what you're seeing?

[@meyersonfire]

I think it's pronounced 'mullen ;) (went to herbal school)

[@clthornsbury4192]

Thank you. I've been struggling with the pronunciation for a while now. Scared to try to ask for it at the herbel store lol.

[@jvjv6332]

Hello sir iam from India , I want this plant , can you please help

[@sissyrayself7508]

It can not be brought to India because it is considered an invasive weed species.

[@Bomber411]

This is NOT known as "lambs ear". That is a misidentification. Lambs ear and mullein are 2 DIFFERENT PLANTS.

[@Deborah-gd4fq]

Make tea out of this for cleaning out the lungs or for allergies

[@fishyfishy4659]

i smoke mullein

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

I have before and still do from time to time! Thanks for commenting grouty!

[@amandarediger2178]

What are the health benefits for smoking? Clearing the lungs? Also, can the leaves be a week old and have discoloration or would that be a sign of mold? Thankyou so much

[@TrilliumWildEdibles]

@ Amanda Rediger Mullein is used for helping to quit smoking cigarettes (because it's airy and feels like smoking air, this causes the smoker to get tired of it. Naturally this method wont work for everyone), to add body to herbal smoking mixtures. For soothing the lungs it can be smoked, but obviously smoking anything isn't inherently healthy. For the best usage I'd recommend using it in a tea or tincture form. It works as an expectorant to aid in expelling mucus and phlegm from the lungs. The leaves should be nice and green with no discoloration, yet dried but can also be used fresh if desired. That's achieved by collecting good looking leaves and drying properly. Naturally it has hairs on it and those can appear to be mold or mildew to some people. However, those hairs need to be strained out of the preparation or they will cause discomfort and irritation. Straining is done with folded over cheesecloth or coffee filters(my preferred method as those hairs are quite small).

[@tarablackmon3229]

Can you tell me where I can order it from please? My husband has copd and looking to use herbal medicine to treat it. Any information you can share with me or where to get it from please? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@jburke603]

Lambs ear is different from Mullein

[@kurtisglennon4139]

Lambs ear is a different plant

[@georgieippolito9924]

I do know the flowers take a tremendous amount of energy out of any plant. How do I stop my cowboys toilet paper plant from flowering because I want bigger leaves?

[@burthabard8316]

Didn't the Indians grind the seed to stun fish