MULLEIN

    Verbascum thapsus: Scrophularaceae



    THE HERB

    PART USED: dried leaves and flowers, collected midsummer before they turn brown. Flowers turn brown if they get wet, and will not be effective

    PLANET: Saturn ELEMENT: Fire

    TASTE: bitter, astringent, sweet VIPAKA: pungent
    WARMTH: cooling DOSHAS: V+ P- K-

    MERIDIANS: lungs, stomach

    ACTIONS: expectorant, demulcent, mild diuretic, sedative, vulnerary, astringent and haemostatic, antitussive, tones the mucus membranes of the respiratory system, increases fluid production so encourages coughing, flowers are a cooling nervine, antispasmodic, anodyne, bactericidal.

    INDICATIONS: bronchitis, tracheitis, asthma, cough, hoarseness, whooping cough, sore throat, tuberculosis, hay fever, dyspnea, sinusitis, cough, mucus membrane haemorrhage, particularly in the lungs or intestines, swollen glands, earache, mumps, nerve pain, insomnia, diarrhoea, dysentery, hemorrhoids, eye inflammations, ringworm.

    PRECAUTIONS: high vata

    CONSTITUENTS: mucilage and gum, saponins, volatile oil, flavonoids including rutin, hesperidin and VERBASCOSIDE, glycosides including aucubin

    PREPARATION AND USE:
    -1c boiling water on 1 tsp and infuse 15 min. Use three times daily, hot or cold.
    -10-40 drops of tincture.
    -an extract of flowers in olive oil is soothing to any inflamed surface, especially outer ear.
    -combines with horehound, coltsfoot and lobelia for bronchitis.
    -dried leaves can be rolled with coltsfoot and yerba santa and smoked to soothe the throat and substitute for tobacco when trying to quit smoking
    -can be used in cough syrups
    -for ear infections, combine one part with one part echinacea and 1/4 part myrrh; this is taken orally, but treatment may be combined with oils of mullein and lavender in the outer ear.
    -fomentation of leaves in vinegar excellent for piles, ulcers, tumours, sciatica, sore joints
    -bruised fresh leaves applied to boils

    NUTRITIONAL USE: the seeds apparently intoxicate fish, and can increase one's catch

    USE IN MAGIC: Courage, Protection, Health, Love Divination, Exorcism
    -used to attract fire elementals, used to light sacred fires
    -the stalk can be dried, soaked in oil or tallow and used as a torch for rituals, called "Witch's Torch"
    -try meditating by the light of such a torch for clarity on a given situation.
    -often used as wicks for lamps illuminating magical workings.
    -leaves carried in protection talismans
    -a few leaves in a shoe protects against colds
    -to attract sexual love
    -in pillow protects against nightmares
    -protects against evil spirits and magic
    -in love, bend the plant so it points to the loved one's home; if it grows straight, you are loved in return.
    -can substitute for graveyard dust in spells

    USE IN PERSONAL GROWTH:
    -use during struggle or negative times to "take a breather". Opens being to let life energy pour in, replenish stores, and clear away emotional and mental toxins
    -soft, fuzzy leaves can be carried to soothe and restore peace

    "I open fully to the love of truth and the truth of love."



    THE FLOWER ESSENCE


    POSITIVE QUALITIES: Strong sense of inner conscience, truthfulness, uprightness.

    PATTERNS OF IMBALANCE: Unable to attune to one's inner voice, weak and confused, lacking in decisiveness; tendency to lie or deceive self or others.

    "Consciousness must also include conscience; as the soul gains greater awareness of itself it also acquires an inner voice or moral life. This morality must be generated from within; as long as laws or dictates are stamped on the personality from the outside, the Self will not develop real strength of character. Mullein essence helps the individual at those times when it must wrestle with its own conscience. It can be extremely beneficial for those who lack moral fortitude, and who may resort to dishonesty or deceit in conducting the affairs of daily life. Through Mullein the soul awakens to its inner voice and develops the capacity to listen and respond to its inner Self. This remedy can be especially helpful when one must take a stand for personal truth, despite social pressure or confusing social mores. The Mullein flower assists the soul in achieving greater moral uprightness, infused with qualities of Light and Truth." (2)



    (2) Flower Essence information quoted from Patricia Kaminski and Richard Katz, Flower Essence Repertory, The Flower Essence Society, Nevada City, CA. ISBN 0-9631306-1-7


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