An Herbalist’s View - Mighty Mullein
The Doctrine of Signatures is a term used by doctors
and healers since the first century to describe how herbs
resembling various parts of the body can be used by
herbalists to treat ailments of those body parts. If a plant
had heart shaped leaves or flowers it would be beneficial
for the heart. If a plant had a yellow root, it was good for
the liver, and so on. All aspects of the nature of the plant
and its surroundings were taken into account.
Interestingly enough, 2,000 years later, science is still
proving that there is merit in many of the virtues attrib-
uted to the plants but, not necessarily the method. I have
to give some credence to the method as the powers of the
plants often do align with the original assessments.
Mullein is a local plant that everyone from this area
will recognize by its tall stalk with large fuzzy leaves and
a lovely yellow head of multiple flowers. A walk around
Lynx Lake will grace you with multiple sightings.
By virtue of the Doctrine of Signatures, it was deter-
mined that this plant would be helpful for lungs due to
lung shaped, fuzzy leaves and to help with problems of
the spine due to the long straight stalk the flowers grow
on. Scientific and anecdotal evidence bear truth to these
early assessments.
Mullein is a biennial plant which means that it lives for
two years, bearing only leaves the first and its unmistak-
able stalk with flowers the second. The first year leaves
are beneficial to the lungs and work as a bronchodilator
for those who have loose and phlegmy coughs as well as
for symptoms of asthma.
Most people use the fresh or dried leaves for tea and
Irish folklore suggests that a tea brewed with fresh leaves
and milk was a remedy for tuberculosis. The leaves can
also be dried and smoked to provide immediate relief for
congestion and difficulty breathing.
This is an herb that I always have on hand during
cold and flu season. The root (remember the straight tall
stalk?), harvested after the first yearʼs growth can be used
either for tea or a tincture to provide relief for back and
neck pain. Next time you see those tall stalks along the
road remember, even before modern day medicine, this
herb was a powerful and trusted friend, and say hello.
– Sue Ehlbeck
[email protected]
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pccnews August 2017
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