Mullein: benefits, how to take it and contraindications
The mullein is an herbaceous plant from the scrophulariaceae family that usually grows mainly throughout Europe, Western Asia, North America and the Himalayas along a multitude of slopes and dry meadows.
They also receive the name of ' verbascum thapsus' and its erect stem can reach two meters in height without any problem. On the other hand, the leaves can reach a length of 50 cm and are characterized by being completely hairy.
The mullein also produces its own flowers that have two types stamens. In the first place there are the superiors that are characterized by having a series of yellow filaments, while those in the lower part have slightly larger filaments that are joined with all the petals of the flower.
It is also worth noting that this herbaceous plant produces tiny capsules that inside contain many brown seeds that already in Ancient Greece and Rome are used in all kinds of natural remedies.
Main properties of mullein
The mullein is characterized by enclosing inside all kinds of medicinal properties that should not be overlooked. And that most will be very useful in those months of winter where temperatures plummet. Would you like to know why? Well, through the following lines we tell you:
Very good to treat flu and colds
Taking an infusion of mullein in the morning will become a powerful remedy to treat any flu or cold. This is because it is a medicinal plant with analgesic properties and therefore can help us treat respiratory tract irritations such as pharyngitis wave laryngitis.
A great ally to say goodbye to bronchitis
The flowers that of the mullein we have described in the first point are also a inexhaustible source of aucubin, a nutrient with powerful antiallergic principles that will help us treat more serious respiratory conditions such as asthmatic bronchitis. It can also be taken with sore throat and cough.
It is a potent diuretic
The candelaria (which is also known as the mullein) is very rich also in what is known as saponosides Y flavonoids, two nutrients that will help us considerably say goodbye to fluid retention. For this reason, the mullein can also be of great help to us lose those extra kilos and show off a more slender figure.
To say goodbye to hoarseness
We are going to close this section to say that the mullein also has an anti-inflammatory effect thanks to its content in softening mucilages, especially if we take it in an infusion. Therefore, this medicinal plant can be very useful to treat the hoarseness Y recover our conventional voice after having punished her too much with the abrupt change of temperatures.
How can we take mullein? Here some ideas
Now that you have known all the properties of mullein, you will surely have the following question, What is the best way to take this medicinal plant? Well, here are some ideas.
- They can be taken in infusions. To do this, you have to take between 20-30 grams of their flowers and mix them with a liter of boiling water. Sneak everything and you can already take two or three cups of mullein a day without problem.
- Applying it directly on the skin. You can crush their seeds or flowers directly, mix it with a little olive oil and apply them in a compress that we put on our skin. It will help us to treat all types of burns and irritations.
Contraindications of the mullein that must be taken into account
However, as with a multitude of medicinal plants, the mullein also has a series of contraindications that it is important to consider. And through this last section we will make a brief review of all of them.
- Children under 12 years old. And is that its consumption can cause rejection or allergy within your body.
- Pregnant women. It is recommended to reduce the intake of this medicinal plant during pregnancy and lactation periods as it can negatively affect the health of the baby.
- People with liver diseases. All those who suffer from hepatitis or jaundice should stay away from the mullein because of its high content of coumarins.
Benefits of mullein, in short
Among the different properties of mullein, the following benefits stand out, which we will summarize below:
- Suitable in cases of pain or inflammation of the throat.
- Useful in the treatment of cough, bronchitis or tracheitis.
- Its infusion can be ideal in the autumnal and winter seasons.
- Rich in soothing mucilages and anti-inflammatory harpagosides.
