Mullein
(Verbascum thapsus)

Mullein plant begins its first year of life as a rosette of large leaves and in the second season it fulfills it life and grows to heights of 4-6 feet. The yellow flowers appear at the top of the stalk and give a lovely scented display which changes daily. The leaves are covered with stellately branched hair. It is another powerful herb, which is called a weed and is being destroyed in all urban areas.

Mullein has been used since ancient times. Many cultures have used it as a baby diaper to help cure diaper rash. It is also used to heal sprains, calm nerves and induce a calming sleep. The Mohicans smoked the leaves to relieve asthma and sore throats.

Historical uses: controls bleeding in the bowels, swollen testicles, mastitis, swollen glands, diaper rash, mumps, poison oak, poison ivy, toothaches, cramps, warts, gout, draws out splinters, pneumonia, severe colds, induces sleep, bronchial infections, asthma, sore throat or croup, for colic, earache, diarrhea and the list goes on and on.

But you, these are not ancient times. No, they are not, and unfortunately we are losing the knowledge of the ancient people because we do not study nor do we teach the history and the uses of plants which surround us. Unfortunately we lose what we do not use. We do not pass on all the wonderful recipes of the past. We think of the past as outdated.

One has to believe in the ability of the earth to provide us with the necessary food for survival. We are losing natural remedies every day because of our failure to recognize the power in a simple plant.

At one time there were fields of plants, which are now considered by most gardeners, as weeds. Never stop learning about plants, never stop teaching your children about plants and how to use them.

It is through knowledge and use that we can save these valuable weeds.