Evidence supporting the use of: Mullein
For the health condition: Cough (spastic)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of coughs, particularly those that are dry, spastic, or irritating. Historical sources from Europe and North America describe the use of mullein leaves and flowers in teas, syrups, and tinctures for soothing respiratory irritation, suppressing cough reflex, and promoting expectoration. The plant contains mucilage, which can coat mucous membranes and reduce irritation, as well as saponins and flavonoids, which may have mild anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects.
Modern scientific studies on mullein's efficacy for cough are limited. Some in vitro studies suggest mullein extracts possess anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and mild antitussive properties, but there is a lack of robust clinical trials in humans. Thus, the evidence supporting its use remains primarily traditional and anecdotal, though its safety profile is generally favorable when used appropriately. In summary, mullein is traditionally used for spastic cough, with some plausible mechanisms, but scientific validation remains modest.
Other ingredients used for Cough (spastic)
Aloe veraalpha-pinene
apple
Waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
cat's claw
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
clove
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
garlic bulb
ginger
glehnia root
grape
Greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
heartwood
Indian tinospora
jujube
lemon
licorice root
lovage
Nettle
ophiopogon root
orange
pear
platycodon root
plum fruit
pomegranate
spearmint leaf
Sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
sarsaparilla
boneset
Mullein
hyssop
atractylodes
lobelia
capsicum
Indian bael
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
Hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
punarnava
prickly ash
fritillaria
Yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
juniper berries
dodder
sweet flag
eucalyptus
Abies spectabilis
horehound
soursop
Alcohol
Aralia
Agastache
Anamarrhena
alpha-terpineol
ambergris
Acacia
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Albizia
Aconite
asafoetida
andrographolide
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Allyl sulfide
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Aniseed myrtle
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
atractylone
black seed
bayleaf
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Buddha\'s hand
borage
balloon flower
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Cnidium
cactus
citron
Citrus
cineole
capsaicin
Cistus
cubeb
cowslip
calamus
Cyanthillium cinereum
cinnamaldehyde
costus
Chekiang Fritillary
Chondrus
dragonhead
diterpenes
Dichrostachys glomerata
Echinacea
ephedrine
fritillary
fernbush
flavoglycosides
Glehnia littoralis
Guava
Guaco
gum
Grindelia
Gallesia
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Galangal
Glycyrrhizin
honey
honey loquat syrup
Ilex
Ivy
Japanese kadsura
Jatoba
Javanese Long Pepper
Khella
loquat
Lactucarium
linden
Lindera
Large-leaved linden
Loranthus
lungwort
Ligusticum
Mentha haplocalyx
Marsh Tea
Mucilage
Melia
mace
madder
Maidenhair Fern
Meadow sage
Nigella seed
Nymphaea nouchali
Nutmeg
Ophiopogon
Oroxylum indicum
Osha
Osmanthus
Piper chaba
Pinellia ternata
prepared aconite tuber
Polypodium
Platycodon
Paris polyphylla
Pelargonium
Pyrrosia
Piper retrofractum
Pimpinella
poppy
Polygala
ravinsara
Rhododendron
Sabadilla
Sete sangrias
Stemona
Shogaol
Terpenoids
Theobromine
Tea
Thymoquinone
Varuna
Vasicine
Vladimiria souliei
Vasicinol
Vasicinone
Yerba buena
Zedoary
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by Mullein
Allergies (respiratory)Asthma
Bronchitis
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Ear Infection or Earache
Emphysema
Inflammation
Laryngitis
Pertussis
Pleurisy
Pneumonia
Sinus Infection
Skin (infections)
Sore Throat
Tuberculosis
Wheezing
Wounds and Sores
Products containing Mullein
Nature's Sunshine Seasonal Allergy (Formerly ALJ)
Nature's Sunshine ALJ®
Nature's Sunshine Bronchial Formula (Ayurvedic)
Nature's Sunshine Bone/Skin Poultice
Nature's Sunshine CC-A With Yerba Santa Combination Extract
Nature's Sunshine Four
Nature's Sunshine Herbal Pumpkin
Nature's Sunshine I-X
Nature's Sunshine Lymphomax
Nature's Sunshine Mullein
Nature's Sunshine Para-Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Pro-Pancreas Formula
Nature's Sunshine Respiratory System (Best by 2/28/2026)