Verbascum thapsus
| Verbascum thapsus | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 3 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Life Cycle: | Biennial |
| Height: | 6' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Verbascum thapsus (common name: great mullein)
Propagation: Seed - sow late spring to early summer in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[1]. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and plant them out in late summer. The seed has a long viability[1].
Cultivation: An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most well-drained soils, including dry ones, and prefers a sunny position[1]. Dislikes shade and wet soils[1]. Thrives on chalk[1]. Prefers a light soil[1].
Hybridizes with other members of this genus, though the progeny are usually sterile[1].
A very ornamental plant, it often self-sows, especially on dry calcareous soils[2][3].
Range: Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to Spain, temperate Asia to China.
Habitat: Sunny positions in uncultivated fields and waste ground, especially on dry soils[4][5][6].
Edibility: An aromatic, slightly bitter tea can be made by infusing the dried leaves in boiling water for 5 - 10 minutes[7].
A sweeter tea can be made by infusing the fresh or dried flowers[7].
Medicinal: Great mullein is a commonly used domestic herbal remedy, valued for its efficacy in the treatment of pectoral complaints[8]. It acts by reducing the formation of mucus and stimulating the coughing up of phlegm, and is a specific treatment for tracheitis and bronchitis[9].
The leaves and the flowers are anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant and vulnerary[8][4][5][10][11][2][12][13]. An infusion is taken internally in the treatment of a wide range of chest complaints and also to treat diarrhoea[8][14]. The plant combines well with other expectorants such as coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris)[9]. Externally, a poultice of the leaves is a good healer of wounds and is also applied to ulcers, tumours and piles[8][13][9]. Any preparation made from the leaves needs to be carefully strained in order to remove the small hairs which can be an irritant[4]. The plant is harvested when in flower and is dried for later use[14].
An infusion of the flowers in olive oil is used as earache drops, or as a local application in the treatment of piles and other mucous membrane inflammations[8][13][14]. This infusion is also strongly bactericidal[8].
A decoction of the roots is said to alleviate toothache and also relieve cramps and convulsions[8].
The juice of the plant and powder made from the dried roots is said to quickly remove rough warts when rubbed on them[8]. It is not thought to be so useful for smooth warts[8].
The seeds are slightly narcotic and also contain saponins[8]. A poultice made from the seeds and leaves is used to draw out splinters[8]. A decoction of the seeds is used to soothe chilblains and chapped skin[4].
A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh leaves[8]. It is used in the treatment of long-standing headaches accompanied with oppression of the ear[8].
Usage: A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers by boiling them in water[8]. When used with dilute sulphuric acid they produce a rather permanent green dye, this becomes brown with the addition of alkalis[8][5][15][16]. An infusion of the flowers is sometimes used to dye the hair a golden colour[8][1].
The flowering stems can be dipped in wax and used as torches[2][17][3].
The down on the leaves and stems makes an excellent tinder when quite dry[8][2][18]. It is also used as an insulation in shoes to keep the feet warm[8][1] and to make wicks for candle[19][8][5][15][18][3].
One report says that the leaves contain rotenone, though it does not say in what quantity[13]. Rotenone is used as an insecticide[K].
Pollinators: Flies, lepidoptera, self
Habit: Biennial
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The leaves contain rotenone and coumarin, though the quantities are not given[13]. Rotenone is used as an insecticide and coumarin can prevent the blood from clotting[K].
Hairs on the leaves can act as an irritant[13].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 de Bray, Lys. The Wild Garden.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Royal Horticultural Society. The Garden Volume 113. Royal Horticultural Society, 1988.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 8.12 8.13 8.14 8.15 8.16 8.17 8.18 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Europe. Oxford University Press, 1969.
- ↑ Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.
- ↑ Coon, Nelson. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press, 1975.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Sowerby, John. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. 1862.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.