Mullein Benefits: Respiratory & Lung Health Guide

Verbascum thapsus — commonly known as great Mullein, common Mullein, Donkey's Ears, Bunny's Ears, or Velvet Plant — is an herbaceous biennial native to Europe, northern Africa, and Asia. The genus Verbascum includes more than 300 species, and V. thapsus belongs to the family Scrophulariaceae (the figwort family). The common name "Mullein" comes from the Latin word mollis, meaning "soft," a nod to the plant's signature flannel-textured leaves.

First-year plants appear as low-growing rosettes of felt-like, bluish gray-green leaves that are 4–12 inches long and densely covered in fine hairs. In the second year, the plant sends up an erect flowering stem that can rise to seven feet tall, topped by a cylindrical spike of densely packed, sulphur-yellow flowers that bloom from June through September.

The first documented medicinal use of Mullein dates back nearly 2,000 years to Dioscorides, the Greek botanist and physician who recommended it for pulmonary diseases. Since then, Mullein has been embraced across cultures — from medieval European herbalists who planted it around homes and brewed cough remedies, to Native American nations who used it for respiratory support and topical applications, to Turkish traditional medicine where it has been employed for bronchitis, dry coughs, and asthma.

Today, understanding Mullein benefits starts with recognizing its rich phytochemical profile. The leaves and flowers contain mucilage, saponins, flavonoids (including quercetin and rutin), iridoid glycosides (such as aucubin), and the phenylethanoid glycoside verbascoside. These constituents are believed to work together — mucilage coats and soothes irritated mucous membranes, saponins help loosen and expel mucus, and flavonoids contribute antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

The Mullein benefits most widely recognized in herbal tradition center on the respiratory system. Multiple mechanisms, drawn from its phytochemistry, help explain why this plant has been a go-to lung herb for millennia.

Demulcent and Mucilaginous Action

Mullein's high mucilage content absorbs water in the airways, becoming slippery as it does so and forming a soothing, protective layer over irritated mucous membranes. This demulcent coating is the primary physical mechanism behind Mullein's traditional reputation for easing sore throats, dry coughs, and bronchial discomfort. The mucilage lubricates the respiratory system, reducing friction on inflamed tissue.

Expectorant and Mucolytic Properties

The mild saponins in Mullein are proposed to reduce surface tension within the airways, facilitating the loosening and expulsion of mucus. Verbascum leaves and flowers are reported to have expectorant, mucolytic, and demulcent properties. Together, these actions underpin the traditional antitussive and expectorant uses of the plant — helping to make coughs more productive rather than dry and unrelenting.

Anti-Inflammatory Support

A 2021 PMC review confirmed that anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, particularly quercetin, correlate with Mullein's respiratory uses. In silico studies have evidenced affinity between Mullein phytochemicals (flavones and O-methylated flavones) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-2 and TNF-α), molecules implicated in inflammatory processes related to the respiratory system. A water-based extract derived from Mullein leaves has demonstrated significant effects on several anti-inflammatory biomarkers, including IL-6, COX-2, iNOS, and MMPs 1, 8, and 9 in laboratory settings.

Antimicrobial and Antiviral Activity

Research published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology demonstrated that Mullein extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against several respiratory pathogens, including Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. Plant extracts from the leaves and flowers, rich in verbascoside, also exhibited antiviral activities against several viruses in laboratory studies. These findings are preclinical — derived from in vitro and animal models — but they are consistent with Mullein's centuries of traditional respiratory use.

A 2005 study published in Phytotherapy Research found that Mullein extract demonstrated expectorant and bronchodilatory effects in animal models, lending additional scientific credence to its traditional applications. However, large-scale human clinical trials are still needed to confirm these effects. If you have questions about whether Mullein is right for your wellness goals, our naturopath is available for a free consultation.

While respiratory support is the primary traditional indication, Mullein benefits have historically extended to several other body systems. Here's what the traditional record and emerging research tell us.

Ear Health

Mullein has a long history of traditional use for earaches and mild ear infections. Traditionally, Mullein flowers are infused in oil — often combined with other herbs like garlic or St. John's wort — to create ear drops. Small clinical trials have examined herbal earache remedies containing Mullein as a component and found them effective in reducing ear pain over 2–3 days. However, these studies used multi-herb formulas and small sample sizes, so the effects cannot be attributed to Mullein alone. Naturopathic physicians and medical herbalists still recommend Mullein-containing preparations for ear discomfort today.

Musculoskeletal and Joint Support

Verbascum species have been widely used in Spanish folk medicine for pathologies related to the musculature and skeleton. A 2021 study investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoarthritic potential of a V. thapsus leaf extract in laboratory cell models and found it demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoarthritic properties. This evidence is preclinical only — no human clinical trials on Mullein for joint conditions have been published.

Skin and Wound Care

Historically, Mullein leaves were applied externally as poultices to treat wounds, sores, and skin infections. The plant's anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties were valued for reducing inflammation, preventing infection, and promoting healing. Native Americans crushed and sometimes boiled the leaves into a paste for topical use. Clinical trials in humans for skin applications are absent, and this use remains at the level of traditional practice.

Digestive and Immune Support

Mullein has traditionally been used to reduce gut inflammation and support digestive wellness, though scientific validation is lacking. The biological effects of verbascoside — including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant activity — have been confirmed by in vitro studies, suggesting a broader role in immune system support. These remain areas where further research is needed.

Mullein may be a good fit for adults seeking traditional herbal support for their respiratory system. It has historically been reached for by people dealing with seasonal respiratory discomfort, occasional bronchial congestion, dry or irritated airways, and general lung wellness.

Because it is traditionally used as a short-to-medium-term support — for example, during a period of respiratory discomfort or seasonal challenges — it's well suited for those who want gentle, plant-based respiratory nourishment without harsh ingredients.

This Nature's Sunshine Mullein formula is vegan, kosher, halal, and non-GMO, making it accessible to a wide range of dietary preferences. Each capsule provides 290 mg of Mullein leaf.

Expectant women and those breastfeeding should avoid Mullein. Oral use is not recommended for children due to a lack of safety research. Individuals with severe liver or kidney conditions, those on anticoagulant therapy, or anyone with a known allergy to Mullein or the Scrophulariaceae family should exercise caution. If you're unsure whether Mullein is appropriate for you, our naturopath offers free consultations and can help you evaluate your options.

Take 2 capsules with a meal twice daily.

Each bottle contains 100 capsules. At the recommended serving of 2 capsules twice daily, each serving provides 580 mg of Mullein leaf.