Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) has a long history of traditional use as a herbal remedy for various respiratory ailments, including laryngitis. Historically, its leaves and flowers have been used in teas, tinctures, and syrups to soothe sore throats, calm coughs, and reduce inflammation associated with respiratory tract irritation. Folk medicine practitioners valued mullein for its purported demulcent (soothing), expectorant, and mild anti-inflammatory properties, believing it could help alleviate hoarseness and the discomfort of laryngitis by coating and calming mucous membranes.

However, scientific validation for its effectiveness specifically in treating laryngitis is limited. Most modern studies on mullein focus on its general anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and soothing effects, rather than its direct impact on laryngitis. Some laboratory studies have demonstrated mild antibacterial and antiviral activities in mullein extracts, which could theoretically support its use for infections that may contribute to laryngitis, but these findings do not establish clinical efficacy for this specific condition. Furthermore, no high-quality clinical trials have confirmed that mullein is effective in relieving the symptoms of laryngitis in humans.

In summary, mullein's use for laryngitis is primarily rooted in tradition rather than robust scientific evidence. While it remains popular in herbal medicine, its efficacy for this specific use has not been conclusively demonstrated through rigorous scientific studies.