Mullein tea is a healthy caffeine-free beverage generally produced from the leaves of the flowering plant mullein also known as Verbascum Thapsus. It is very popular for its astringent and sedative property. This herbal tea is native to Asia and Europe. It is extremely refreshing. It is packed with various imperative micronutrients and phytonutrients that help in exerting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity. It is extensively used for treating respiratory disorders and has been used for centuries as an imperative therapeutic substance for tuberculosis treatment. It is also associated with treating sleeping issues as well as viral infections. Moreover consumption of such a super herbal beverage is extremely beneficial for health

How it is prepared?

It can be easily prepared at home. Below steps will give an overview of preparing mullein tea –

• At first one cup of water should be taken and it should be subjected to boil
• Then small amount of dried mullein tea leaves are added to that boiling water
• It should be stepped for 15 to 20 minutes
• Finally it should be consumed after straining
• Sugar or honey can be added to it for taste though it is absolutely depends on individual choice

Biological activity

Antioxidant activity

• It is packed with antioxidants that help in protecting the body from the harmful effects of free radicals

• It is also associated with reducing oxidative stress as a result helps in minimising the risk of developing chronic diseases because oxidative stress is considered as one of the most leading causes of chronic diseases
• Consumption of Mullein tea is very useful for preventing cellular damages as it helps in protecting every cell from free radical induced oxidative damages
• It is also responsible for reducing the prevalence of carcinoma

Anti-inflammatory activity

• Mullein tea exhibits powerful anti-inflammatory activity and helps in preventing inflammation. It contains an imperative component named verbascoside, which is responsible for its anti-inflammatory activity
• Verbascoside is also accountable for exerting analgesic effect that helps in relieving pain
• Its consumption is very useful for those individual who suffer from arthritis because it helps in improving joint health by preventing joint swelling and also helps in reducing arthritic pain
• It has antispasmodic property too, which is responsible for preventing muscle spasm

Antimicrobial activity

• It exerts potent antimicrobial activity that helps to hinder the growth of microbes within host as a result helps in reducing the prevalence of infectious diseases
• It has been used for ancient time as an imperative remedial action for infections

• It is extremely effective against the bacterial strain Bacillus cereus
• It helps to prevent viral infections as well. It has seen that it exerts potent antiviral activity against influenza virus
• It has the ability to fight against pseudorabies virus as well

Health benefits

Role on respiratory health

• As mentioned above it is an imperative therapeutic substance for respiratory health thus it is widely used for combating various respiratory ailments including common cold and cough
• It is very effective for preventing bronchitis as well
• Consumption of Mullein tea is also very beneficial for providing relief from sore throat
• Its antimicrobial activity is also associated with preventing infections in respiratory tract
• Consumption of hot Mullein tea is extremely effective for treating chest congestion
• It helps to prevent the inflammation and swelling of the respiratory tract as a result helps in decreasing the prevalence of asthma attack. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of respiratory tract, it is extremely painful and results in wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath
• It also acts as an important expectorant that helps in promoting sputum secretion and reduces cough, which ultimately help in clearing mucous from the airway as a result helps in providing quick relief from the irritation of the mucous membrane
• It is very effective for treating tuberculosis as well

• It is also very useful for improving the symptoms of pneumonia, tonsillitis, and tracheitis
• Moreover consumption of Mullein tea is considered as a healthy choice for keeping respiratory disorders at bay

Role on digestive health

• It is considered as a healthy addition to the diet of those individual who suffer from digestive issues
• Its consumption is closely related with clearing the digestive system
• It plays vital role to cope up with bowel related issues
• It is also associated with improving the gut health
• It plays imperative role in treating diarrhoea as well
• Consumption of mullein tea is also linked with eliminating toxins from body

Role on skin health

• Consumption of this tea is very useful for promoting overall skin health
• It plays vital role in soothing the skin and also helps in preventing skin irritation
• It is also associated with preventing skin infections and all the credit goes to its antimicrobial activity that helps in suppressing the growth of microbes that are accountable for skin infections. Whereas the oil extracted from Mullein leaves can also be applied to the skin in order to prevent skin infections
• Its anti-inflammatory activity is responsible for preventing skin inflammation thus helps in reducing the susceptibility of developing dermal disorders
• Its antioxidant activity is directly linked with preventing premature aging
• It helps to hydrate the skin as well, that ultimately helps in improving skin texture
• Its consumption is also very useful for healing blisters, small cuts and wounds
• Consumption of Mullein tea or application of its oil (obtained from its leaves or flowers) helps to prevent eczema as well

Role on mental health

• It plays vital role in providing calmness to the body that ultimately helps in refreshing our body as well as mind
• It helps to make an individual energetic
• It is related with reducing stress as well
• It also exerts sedative activity that helps to promote healthy sleeping and prevents insomnia

Role on treating thyroid issue

• Individual who suffer from thyroid disorders should include this herbal tea in their daily diet as it is related with improving the symptoms of thyroid related complications
• It plays vital role in treating over reacted thyroid gland and this condition is termed as hyperthyroidism
• It mainly helps to protect the thyroid tissues from damages and also helps in treating those tissues as a result helps in minimising the risk of developing thyroid disorders

Therapeutic uses

It has been extensively used for various therapeutic purposes, which include –

• It is used as an important remedial action for ear infections
• It is also associated with preventing headache. It helps to treat migraine as well
• Its consumption helps in improving the symptoms of gout
• It is related with preventing haemorrhoids too
• It helps to provide a boost to the immune system. It is extremely useful for enhancing immunological responses. Its antioxidant activity is also responsible for protecting every immune cell from free radical induced oxidative damages thus promotes their activity

Risk factors

• Excessive consumption of this herbal tea is not healthy as it may develop bleeding problems, respiratory distress as well as skin irritation thus it is better to consume it as per recommendation
• Individual who are allergic to it should avoid its consumption
• It is better to avoid the consumption of Mullein tea during pregnancy

Riaz, M., Zia-Ul-Haq, M. and Jaafar, H.Z., 2013. Common mullein, pharmacological and chemical aspects. Revista brasileira de farmacognosia, 23(6), pp.948-959.

Sattar, T., 2021. Would Some Herbal Teas Play a Medicating Role for Certain Diseases?. Current Nutrition & Food Science, 17(2), pp.176-188.

Tatli, I.I. and Akdemir, Z.F., 2006. Traditional uses and biological activities of Verbascum species. FABAD Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 31(2), p.85.

Turker, A.U. and Camper, N.D., 2002. Biological activity of common mullein, a medicinal plant. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 82(2-3), pp.117-125.

Turker, A.U. and Gurel, E., 2005. Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.): recent advances in research. Phytotherapy Research: An International Journal Devoted to Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluation of Natural Product Derivatives, 19(9), pp.733-739.