I have several Mullein in my medicinal herb garden. She is an old friend that stands watch, resilient on the hottest of days and a comforting plant to have around. Super easy to grow and transplant too, she is not fussy and needs very little to keep her happy. Just give her lots of sun.

Probably everyone has seen Mullein. It grows alongside highways, near dry riverbeds and in numerous scrubby, hot areas in the United States. Mullein is a stately, pretty plant that becomes very tall in its second year of growth, when it sends up a 4-8 ft spike covered in little yellow flowers. In its first year it produces a rosette of large velvety leaves that are soft and covered in fine white hairs. In fact the whole plant is covered with these hairs, including the flowers. This is a great plant adaptation for the gardener who forgets to water as these hairs help to reduce water loss.

Mullein is a magical herb of antiquity and has a long history going back to the ancient days of Europe from where it originated. The great respect and love that was given to this plant is inferred from the 30 or so names it was accorded. Dried Mullein stalks were dipped in tallow and burned by Christians to frighten away witches hence the name St Peter’s Staff, Jacob’s Staff. On the other hand Mullein had a reputation for being a favorite plant of witches. In England Mullein torches were burned in their rituals. Hag Taper, Witches Taper, High Taper are other Mullein names. Dried leaves were rolled and used as wicks for oil lamps and candles, hence the name Candlewick Plant. The early American settlers brought Mullein with them and over time it escaped from their gardens and spread. Many American tribes smoked the dried leaves to relieve coughing. The Navajos called it ‘Big Tobacco”

Today we still continue to use this helpful medicinal herb. The yellow flowers can be infused in olive oil for about 2 weeks, strained and the oil used to treat ear infections. The leaves can be used in a tea to treat bronchial lung problems. The dried stalks gathered in the fall can be combined with other dried plants to make a great indoor decoration.