Mullein Leaves - Why Harvest Mullein, When to Harvest Mullein, and How to ID Mullein

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Here's a video that shows harvesting, drying, storing, and using mullein three different ways. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKm0lZ2sabSYncU

[@lindacarol5982]

I've had bronchitis for almost 3 months and I was wondering how to prepare and how much. Antibiotics don't work

[@estherbrown4084]

Mullein is also an incense ingredient, or so a book by Carl F. Neal says.

[@shanthadhanraj6264]

I Need mullein seeds. Available. Are some leaves. I suffering from asthma.

[@OrthodoxInquirer]

My grandfather had a compound fracture from playing football and got gangrene. They were going to amputate his leg the next morning. The sweet black lady who worked for his family in North Georgia, Minnie House, sat up with him all night with his leg propped up on a chair and a pot of water as hot as she could stand it with mullein in it. She would take the mullein and doodle it down in the hole in his leg. She worked with him all night and in the morning his leg and shrunk back down to normal size. The doctor arrived and was shocked that Grandpa didn't need the amputation!

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Wow! Amazing story! Thank you!

[@americafirst9144]

Amazing!

[@carolharquail9131]

Yeah can you imagine people with herbal knowledge know more than doctors! At least in this case! Personally since even the world health organization are mostly Catholic and their history, I wouldn't trust anything that came from a Catholic doctor,not as a native American from Canada who knows MKUltra worked with priests at residential schools! Thank goodness that woman saved his leg! Women and men with herbal knowledge rock!

[@africkinamerican]

That's pretty cool. I heard from a guy who married a Brazilian woman, that down there, they use it to heal all kinds of skin problems including skin cancer.

[@pattreadwell6149]

Thank you

[@CiaofCleburne]

Actually I don’t try to complicate my harvest. I have mullein, “Queen Mullein” I call her growing all over this place. She was the first plant ally I met and she had 7 thistle growing around her…I called those her “guards”! 😂 She has saved my life! I used her leaves in tea when I was very sick. Together, with strawberries and honey, I managed to recover. I let her stalks grow and woodpeckers eat her seeds. Pollinators of every type hide and hunt amongst her large leaves and caterpillars morph there as well. She grows everywhere around me. She is my “spirit plant”. I use her tincture daily because I have a throat condition and she soothes that. Great vid.❤

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Thank you! I love this comment!

[@CiaofCleburne]

@@OkanaganGardenerandForager thank you! I really enjoyed your video!

[@JoeandAngie]

Gawd

[@marshabowlin1757]

How do you make the tincture ?

[@CiaofCleburne]

@@marshabowlin1757 same way I make all tinctures. I use ONLY 100 proof vodka poured over a mason jar that is 2/3rds full of leaves. Don’t macerate my leaves, but simply cut up somewhat so as to give adequate surface area for the vodka to make contact with. Pour vodka over leaves TO THE BRIM. Lid it and store in cool, dark place for 6 weeks. Strain into another jar and store out of sunlight.

[@kimberlylamantia7794]

I brought this plant to western NY from the Adirondacks. I had never seen it before and it was so peculiar looking I had to have it. Later I found out what it was and now I'm learning how to use it 😊

[@tobytails4650]

I make mullein tea for my horse for his cough and he loves it!!

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Oh, that's cool! Nice!

[@jayisola6787]

This Guy cracks me up! He'd be fun to hang out with.

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Thank you!

[@janeschreiner5000]

Bees love the flowers. It is an interesting looking plant. I have twelve of them this year.

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Twelve! Nice!

[@janeschreiner5000]

@@OkanaganGardenerandForager I just found at least eight more. I had four two year old plants last year. These dudes are just coming up so I’ll have to put them in my “Mullein nursery”. I love these majestic plants!

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

@@janeschreiner5000 mullein nursery! Haha! Great!

[@mrbuck5059]

This plant grows everywhere and it has healing properties. I'm surprised the government hasn't tried to eradicate it.

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

It is trying to eradicate it in some places!

[@mrbuck5059]

@@OkanaganGardenerandForager yep. Because it helps people. The gooberment is evil.

[@georgejennings9959]

Lol this comment made me burst out laughing. I've weeded tens of thousands of weeds over the years and mullein (like sorrel) just keeps coming back. The height of stupidity is fighting the unfightable. Humans are the only species that doesn't get that we have to work With mother nature, not against her. The journey of a million miles begins with a single step. Humans spend so much time on trivial purposes in their relatively short lifetime.

[@soggycarrot3319]

⁠​⁠@@mrbuck5059no. While useful in some situations, it is a weed and can get extremely invasive in temperate regions and hard to get rid of if left unchecked. It can be bad for stuff like hay because it kills the plants around it. The government isn’t trying to eradicate it entirely but only in some places.

[@jerrydetwiler9552]

They probably have

[@ethosraps6927]

I’d just heard about the benefits and in looking up how to harvest… found a local!!! I’m from Omak and used to have spear fights with dead mullein all the time. Now I’m excited to help clear my lungs up with it. Thank you so so much for sharing friend.

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Awesome! I love the imagery if mullein spear fights, haha! Thanks!

[@TomokoAbe_]

I have bad sinus problems after radiation treatment. I bought seeds and will grow this and try it.

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Good luck! I hope you can heal well!

[@greenfairy4894]

Eat a pinch Thyme and acupressure or acupuncture for sinus

[@GeomagneticEarthWatch]

Found one growing along one of my vege areas and decided to let it go. Never researched it but now all I see are videos on this plant. From West Kelowna.

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Yeah, a lot of people are pretty interested in mullein these days it seems. Thanks!

[@emmalee478]

Awesome! Love how you explain why you harvest when you do!

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Thank you!

[@TheDonwiggins]

I took a walk down a closed road today that I don't normally walk. I was called to find a TON of mullein.

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Nice!

[@mr-vet]

Have these plants all over my 3-acre property (live an hour west of DC, in Virginia)….seems like their one of the few plants deer and rabbits don’t like…..

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Yes, I think they are not eaten much by grazing animals. Thank you!

[@aibell4800]

Oddly, the first time I ever saw mullein on our 35 acres until 2020. Divine providence or coincidence? 🤔

[@tjrubicon5463]

It does make good TP. My two brothers and I were camping and ran out of TP. We tried this plant and it worked well. LOL!

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Haha! Excellent!

[@danyellejorgensen4970]

Nature's Charmin, for a superior wipe. It does get itchy, so your hiking turns into more of a dance for a little while. Stayin' Alive is a great song to accompany your herbal hygiene resolution.

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

@@danyellejorgensen4970 🤣

[@zabrinagraves7059]

Thank you the video! Was outside Manama exploring. Pretty sure I found some but wasn’t 100%. Now I’m sure that’s what we found! So much of it too!! Found Blue Elderberries too!!

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Awesome! I'm glad it helped!

[@kimgocal1104]

Do you dry the leaves before smoking it?

[@pennypetrovic3682]

Best video I’ve seen yet

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Wow, thank you!

[@whybecuzimme]

Hello, I just crossed your channel. Thank you for this video. I look forward to watching all your others. I love learning about this.

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Thank you! I'm glad you found the channel!

[@LH-zw7dg]

I need to try some Mullein! Thanks for the video!

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

You're welcome! Thank you, too!

[@CoolCatCaramel]

Is it safe to give to children? I'd like to try it in a tea for cold and flu season. I'm just learning about it. I have harvested some that I found. Now I need to get it processed for use ❤

[@OutWestSomewhere]

Thats a beautiful looking plant ❤

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

I agree!

[@ShellyEdwards-ul9zf]

I need to start looking for this all I see around my area is wild lettuce , plantain and dandelions 😊oh yea and Queen Anne’s lace

[@pats9055]

Thanks! You answered my questions. Want to harvest some.

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Oh, good! I'm glad it helped! You're welcome, and thank you too!

[@lauriematherne6442]

When does the seeds fall? I have seeds and im trying to grow some. It's not a native plant to my area, but I'll give it a try.

[@bnellaniyah]

Thanks for the video. The plant on my property put out a flowering stalk? about a month ago which is now withered and gray. Can I use the plant for anything now? Should I just leave it until next year? What should I do with it? Mine is not growing in a rosette pattern but straight up and very tall.

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

That sounds to me like it's already flowered and finished its life cycle. I would say it's not useful for anything now, but it likely dropped all its seeds, so there should be new growth starting before too long!

[@johnterrance3075]

I live in Ontario, Canada (Zone 6b., I believe). If I plant this, will it come up every year? Does it self propagate

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

It has a two year growth cycle. It flowers and seeds in the second year. If it goes to seed, I'm confident more of them would grow. I'm not sure how cold hardy mullein is, but it grows easily around here, which is zone 6 or 7. I've seen it growing in much colder climate as well.

[@kimgallegos6811]

I have lots of mullen! Thank you!

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

You're welcome! Thank you, too!

[@angelarenczarski]

Welp I have a bunch of these all over my hill, was going to dig them up then I found you. Can I transplant them so I have them all together in a patch like you did with stinging nettle or should I just let them grow wild?

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

I think you could definitely transplant them if you want to. I guess it depends on what you want to have in your yard. They are considered invasive in some areas, so keeping them under control in a specific area might be a good idea. Thank you!

[@monicali2608]

They don't like to be transplanted. If you do get them in a lot of original earth.

[@Southern195]

Can you harvest first year or wait until second?

[@joyannkjb4l250]

Thank you for this video!! I have a QUESTION: I have a small front yard area and after being here for 14 years, all of a sudden this year up popped a Mullein plant!! I'm so happy!! And thankful.. unfortunately it came up directly in the center of the lawn. I can't "hide" it.... I don't own the property and it'll get mowed over. Do you think it'll survive if I relocate it? It looks like they don't get very big the first year(?) I possibly could get away with it this year, but I'd think it'd be better to move it now rather than the second year? Any help would be greatly appreciated🙃

[@gardensteps]

The first mullein I had, l got it from a roadside during a walk, no house in sight. I didn't even know the name of the plant, or whether it was a good safe plant or poisonous plant. I just loved the way it looked. It was late fall, and the leaves were still looking pretty good. I gingerly uprooted it, and planted it in my garden. Of course, all the leaves died in winter, and I didn't think anything more of it until it propped back up the next Spring. Didn't do anything major that year. The majestic display happened a year later. I had like 15 of them. Some 4 ft tall or more. The next year they came back up again, in different spots in the garden, and I thought they must be dropping seeds, and that I will always have them like my black-eyed suzanne or datura. Well, that was about 5 years ago now. No mullein all these years. But today, I went behind my side fence, voila! Mullein!! I uprooted it and planted it in my garden. I know if nothing much comes from it this year, next year it will be spectacular. And now I know better to always make sure to harvest the seeds. So, from my own experience, you can move it from the lawn to a bed. Worst case scenario, it won't do much for you this year, but next year, it will be spectacular.

[@joyannkjb4l250]

@@gardensteps Thank you so much for your reply!! Ok then, I'll relocate it and keep my fingers crossed lol I'm so glad you found Mullein again! Isn't it SUCH a neat feeling.... From one Joy to another, I hope you have a spectacular abundance also!!😊

[@gardensteps]

@@joyannkjb4l250 Thank you so much Joy!! So lovely meeting you, if only via e-meet! Happy planting!!!

[@helenmellbin7859]

I relocate - it survive, and grow beautiful.

[@marialuna7221]

Do they sell Mullien in stores? Im not sure if it’s the same theirs a Mullien I seen in the Latin section in market but it seemed different, don’t know if a different variety!

[@kennethrandolph2495]

Great natural to let paper if you have to go in the woods.

[@soggycarrot3319]

I do a lot of weed control and I personally hate mullein. It clears your sinuses out but it doesn’t feel good coughing and sneezing for hours at a time. It’s also a pain to get rid of large patches because you have to clear it out and pick it up by hand so the seeds don’t spread even more.

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Yes, it can be a real problem. Thank you!

[@stephenmras8519]

It’s an invasive species here in Montana. Hard to get rid of as the seeds can survive over 100 years. I just came in from clearing a patch on my property. Fortunately, the bigger ones pull easily when the ground is wet.

[@msg6172]

Well when used correctly you're not going to cough and sneeze for hours at a time. And it is an herb although invasive it's not a weed

[@soggycarrot3319]

@@msg6172 well I’m not using it, I’m cutting it down and the pollen makes you cough. Also, “The species is legally listed as a noxious weed in the US state of Colorado (class C)[65] and Hawaii,[66] and the Australian state of Victoria (regionally prohibited in the West Gippsland region, and regionally controlled in several others).” You can find this article on Wikipedia.

[@stephaniejackson8555]

This is a good plant known as natures toilet paper. The tea is very beneficial and helps my arching bones.

[@TamiFowler1]

I also heard that you can blow it in the ear of someone that has an ear ache, and it will make the ear go away

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Yes, I've heard that too, but I haven't tried it myself. Thank you!

[@gaythaquinlin2827]

Have you ever collected Rabbit Tobacco?

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

No, I haven't. Have you?

[@sylphofthewildwoods5518]

I wish I had seen this earlier. Before I pulled this plant up by the roots. I know that I have a lot of medicinal and useful weed things growing in my lawn. But they're usually mown down or I miss the optimal time to harvest them. 😐

[@patsnoyer]

So I am new at this. So after the spike comes with the flowers, are the leaves still ok to use for tinctures and teas?

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

I think you can definitely still use the leaves. They just might not be as potent as at other growth stages.

[@patsnoyer]

@@OkanaganGardenerandForager Thank you for answering.

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

@@patsnoyer you're welcome! Thank you for watching!

[@driftingeleftheria1110]

If its flowering. What do you do?

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

You could still use it when it's flowering, but the lives might just be less potent. Also you could use the flowers. Thank you!

[@billiejeanpool3082]

How many leaves is a safe amount to harvest without disturbing the plant ?

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

I think that's a great question! For me, if a plant looks strong and healthy, I only take maybe three leaves from it. However, mullein is also described in many areas as invasive, and it can outcompete native plants. I think some people would say the most ethical thing to do is dig up the whole plant and use all the leaves and whatever other parts you're interested in using.

[@mrsmincey9731]

Is this the same as mullein( verbascum densiflorum) and could it be used for the same things. This is my first year growing mullein and I wasn't sure if it was the same.

[@margsonzini792]

yes, it is

[@ConfedVet]

I just ordered some seed, but it doesn't say anything about planting them. Any suggestions?

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

I would just plant them only about twice as deep as the seeds are wide and don't overwater them. Those are tips not specific to mullein, but hopefully they're helpful! Good luck!

[@monicali2608]

Sow them where you want them. They don't like to be transplanted.

[@EmmilyIvone]

Thank you!!!!

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

You're welcome! Thank you, too!

[@dallen4482]

I’ve heard that lambs ear resembles mullein. How similar are they in reality?

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

For me I don't think they look very similar. They both have fuzzy leaves, so I think that's the big trait that gets people mixed up. I think if you see them side-by-side, it's fairly easy to tell them apart. Thank you!

[@DanaD555]

Lamb ears' leaves are much smaller, and the color is green silverish. Also, the flower blooms are very different: for lamb ears the blooms are PINK, instead of the mullein which the blooms are YELLOW.

[@pamdore9292]

Mullein starts out as a rosette pattern of leaves.

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

@@pamdore9292 yup!

[@rebeccamiller7456]

Does anyone know if I can transplant the mullien to my yard? I found some down by an old abandoned railroad track but they mow it down alot. Seems a shame to waste it.

[@heapbig5352]

I did. I came upon a video about it, recognized it and without really thinking about it transplanted one into my flower bed. I liked it for its structure, silver sheen and it looked so robust among the other plants so I didn't hesitate. It didn't bat an eyelash, kept on going. Spring time gave me mullein in all my beds and I am making good use of it. I use it in my smudge to cleanse my house, breathing it does wonders. Dig one up, dig deep though I think it works best.

[@MaryKnight-ox8ke]

I like it

[@carlacrawford-graham]

What area of the country can these be found? Thank you. Do they grow in Texas?

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

They can be found throughout North America, so yes, I think you should be able to find them in Texas. I often see them near disturbances like roads, fences, the edges of forests and other places people have cut down lots of trees and/or vegetation. You're welcome and thank you, too!

[@channyl252]

Thank you!! I let Mullen grow where ever it likes in the garden! Awesome plant! Thank you for the great videos from an Okanagan fan!

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

​​@@channyl252 You're welcome! I let some go in my yard, too! Thank you, too!

[@kerrijohnson1985]

Yes I'm in Texas and it grows here.

[@gingerparr277]

I live in East Texas and have many in my yard, I’ve also come across them on the roadside going into a state park in Central Texas.

[@Lyssa72]

Are the leaves still potent enough if the stalk has already started? I just found a bunch today but they aren’t going to be as effective, I don’t want to waste time.

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

I think if the stalk has only started, the leaves are likely still good. They might not be as potent, but in my opinion if the plant is still healthy looking and growing in good conditions, they will likely still be good. If the plant is all done flowering or actively flowering, I think the leaves would be less potent for sure. At least that's what I think!

[@Lyssa72]

@@OkanaganGardenerandForager thank you. The stalk is there but hasn’t flowered yet. I will grab a few leaves to make a tincture and see how it turns out in about 8 wks

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

@Lyssa72 good luck! I hope it works out!

[@potrico1030]

I harvest the leaves and Let them rot in water for liquid fertilizer to use in my garden.

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Does it make a difference that you can tell?

[@jcfsaiyan]

Am I seeing the starts of some opium lettuce near that mullen

[@donnachaobrien90]

You can smoke it?! 😃

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

Yes, you can!

[@PreppingWithSarge]

I’m jealous! It doesn’t grow well here

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

I'm definitely fortunate to have some around! Thanks, Sarge!

[@bigoldgrizzly]

@@OkanaganGardenerandForager ours regularly grows to 8+ feet and is a bit of a pest

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

@@bigoldgrizzly wow! That's huge! Yeah, they can cause some problems in some areas. Thanks!

[@dustygriffis999]

So why can’t you just eat the plant or grind it up and put in capsules

[@pmartin6759]

👍👍👍👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@jeraldine4694]

The hairs are they fuzzy like kitten ears

[@tammyhoushour8070]

I think lamb's ear would make a better toilet paper.

[@gingerparr277]

This is wider than the lambs ear I’ve seen, and is very soft and gentle feeling, but I’ve not had a need to try it in that way

[@idipped2521]

Smoking anything will make you cough things up, it’s better to take orally

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

That might be a good option. Thank you!

[@chrisgoldbach4450]

Guess I'm harvesting seeds 😂

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

They're good for stuff, too!

[@chrisgoldbach4450]

@@OkanaganGardenerandForager more for the coming years. I haven't smoked it yet but I keep hearing it helps the lungs

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

@chrisgoldbach4450 when I've smoked it, I felt like it helped to clear out my lungs.

[@chrisgoldbach4450]

@@OkanaganGardenerandForager I'll give it a try then. It's in flower now but I guess I'll grab a leaf and put it in the dehydrator with low heat.

[@annschultz6262]

Thank you!

[@OkanaganGardenerandForager]

You're welcome! Thank you, too!