{"id":7023,"date":"2019-05-30T20:50:30","date_gmt":"2019-05-30T20:50:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=7023"},"modified":"2021-11-09T16:16:02","modified_gmt":"2021-11-09T16:16:02","slug":"14-ancient-medicinal-uses-of-the-herb-mullein","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-ancient-medicinal-uses-of-the-herb-mullein\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Ancient Medicinal Uses of The Herb Mullein"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Mullein grows all across the United States, developing a tall stem that\u2019s almost four feet in height, with broad leaves forming a basal rosette around the plant. Walking up to mullein, you\u2019ll notice a slightly sweet, honey-like fragrance coming from the yellow flowers of the plant. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mullein has potent therapeutic properties that come from the nectar and stamens of the plant. This woolly-leafed biennial also goes by the monikers of Candlewick, candle flower, and European or orange mullein.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mullein has a long history as a herbal remedy used in the treatment of various adverse health conditions. The polyphenols found in mullein are effective at treating the symptoms of upper-respiratory tract infections, as well as digestive and skin issues. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The crushed dried flowers and leaves of the mullein make a fragrant, sweet-smelling tea bursting with flavor, and polyphenol antioxidants, that cleanse the bloodstream of free radicals. Here are eight medicinal uses of including mullein in your diet.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Mullein Tea<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The leaves of mullein <\/a>make a fantastic herbal tea with therapeutic benefits. Pick the leaves from the plant as the flowers start to show, and dry them in the sun for a few days until crisp. Crush the leaves and add them to your tea infuser.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We recommend you use two tablespoons of crushed leaves for three cups of tea. Add the infuser to your teapot and add hot water to brew. It\u2019s vital that you don\u2019t use boiling water in making your tea, as it may damage the beneficial polyphenol compounds in the tea leaves. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let the tea leaves steep for 7-minutes for a strong brew, then drink it hot. You\u2019ll find mullein has a sweet, nectar-like flavor and refreshing aroma. Add some fresh lemon wedges to the tea for a citrus edge, or a teaspoon of raw honey if you like it sweeter. If you\u2019re a fan of iced tea, you can store your leftovers in the fridge for a few days.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2.<\/strong> Combat Respiratory Infection<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Drinking mullein tea can help people who are suffering from the effects of a respiratory disorder. The antioxidants <\/a>and polyphenol compounds found in mullein help soothe a sore throat, and reduce coughing symptoms in patients dealing with influenza or bronchitis infection.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The anti-bacterial properties of mullein tea provide an inhospitable environment for the breeding of bacteria, helping you get over the effects of the infection faster, by strengthening your immune system.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mullein features potent anti-inflammatory properties that go to work in relieving the symptoms of pain and discomfort associated with fever, swelling, and skin irritation caused by a bacterial or viral infection. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mullein also acts as an expectorant, helping the lungs cough up any bacteria or mucus that\u2019s clogging airways and causing inflammation. The tea also provides an anti-congestive effect, loosening the mucus in the sinus, allowing the patient to breathe comfortably. Patients with sore throats dues to bacterial or viral infection can try gargling with mullein tea to relieve pain symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Solve Sleep Disorders<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

More than 30-million Americans live with some sleeping disorder. People who experience sleep deprivation start to notice their health decline rapidly. When we sleep, our brain clears neural pathways of toxins accumulated during the day. When we fail to get the sleep we need to induce the REM state that provides this function, we end up feeling tired and groggy the following day.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insomnia <\/a>is a common sleeping disorder where the patient struggles to fall asleep, tossing and turning all night in a vain attempt to get some rest. Insomnia can have a detrimental effect on mental health, causing affected individuals to develop signs of delirium. If left untreated, patients with chronic insomnia may develop severe mental health disorders. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drinking mullein tea helps induce sleep. The polyphenol antioxidants found in the plants act as a natural sedative that allows you to drift off into dreamland. Drink a cup of the tea 45-minutes before bed to allow for the effects of the mullein to enter your bloodstream and induce sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4.<\/strong> Improve Digestion<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People with digestive conditions such as IBS, IBD, and celiac disease can also benefit from including mullein tea in their diet. People with gastrointestinal disorders suffer from abnormally high levels of inflammation in the digestive system, due to the food they eat and the body\u2019s reaction to specific proteins and carbohydrates<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a person with a digestive issue eats these foods, it results in the inflammation of the intestinal wall. This permeable barrier contains bacteria and pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract. However, when inflammation causes abnormal expansion of the wall, these harmful particles escape into the bloodstream. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the patient may start to notice the onset of the systemic inflammatory disease begin to show up in other areas of the body. People with arthritis may see an exacerbation of symptoms, and those patients dealing with skin issues like eczema may also experience flares.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drinking mullein tea helps to reduce symptoms of digestive inflammation that leads to the formation of gas and cramps.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Skincare Benefits<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

35-million Americans live with chronic skin problems like eczema <\/a>and psoriasis. These disorders produce symptoms of unsightly sores and rashes on patients, where the skin inflames and turns red in color.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients may experience symptoms of itching and feel some heat emanating from the affected area when it\u2019s looking aggressive. Medical professionals are still uncertain about what causes eczema and what triggers flares of the condition. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some experts think both psoriasis and eczema are autoimmune disorders where the patient\u2019s immune system accidentally mistakes healthy skin cells for pathogens, attacking the healthy cells and inducing the rash or sores.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no known treatment in medical science for eczema rashes, other than calamine lotion and cortisone lotions. However, many people with eczema may suffer from an allergy to cortisone creams as well.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drinking mullein tea may help alleviate the symptoms of eczema, and you can use the leftover tea leaves in a cold compress to relieve the symptoms of irritation, and itching associated with eczema rashes and psoriasis lesions.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Relief from Muscle and Joint Pain<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Active people that play sports or workout in the gym may find that they develop exercise-induced muscle soreness after a hard training session. Drinking iced mullein tea before and after your training session reduces muscular pain the following day, and enhances your recovery, getting you back in the gym or on the track faster.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The antioxidant <\/a>and anti-inflammatory properties of mullein tea make it an idea per and post-workout drink. Fill your water bottle with the tea and sip on it while you\u2019re training for a peri-workout beverage that helps you recover from the effects of exercise. Mullein also helps to prevent cramping and spasms in athletes and active individuals.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seniors who experience joint pain as a result of the symptoms of conditions like osteoarthritis and gout can benefit from the anti-inflammatory effects of mullein as well. The polyphenols in the tea act on the joints, reducing inflammation of the tendons and cartilage responsible for joint pain.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7.<\/strong> Treat Allergies<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who suffer from allergies <\/a>to dust or pollen may benefit from the anti-allergenic properties of mullein. Drinking mullein tea also helps reduce inflammation that may start the onset of an asthma attack. Asthma patients find that they experience sudden attacks where their normal breathing function becomes impaired.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the patient finds it hard to control their breathing, and they may start to panic. Asthma patients feel like they aren\u2019t getting enough oxygen into their lungs to satisfy the demands of the body. As a result, some may wind up passing out during severe attacks of the disorder.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic properties of mullein help reduce the congestion and inflammation associated with allergies and conditions like asthma. Drinking the tea every day during the spring and summer may help increase your tolerance to these allergens. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steaming with the essential oil extract of mullein is also beneficial for relieving sinus congestion while soothing the symptoms of allergies.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Treat Ear Infections<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Children and teens are at high risk of developing \u201cotitis media<\/a>,\u201d otherwise known as a middle ear infection. Patients with this infection find that fluid builds up in the cavity behind the eardrum, turning into pus. As a result, the patient starts to experience symptoms of pain and headache.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, otitis media infections resolve on their own in a few days, with only home remedies as treatment. If the infection persists past a week, the patient may have an inner ear infection and require medical intervention with medications to kill the invading bacteria.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drinking mullein tea helps reduce the inflammation in the Eustachian tubes, the tiny tubes that lead from the middle ear to the throat. These tubes drain fluids from the ear, keeping them clear and clean. When infection inflames these tubes, the patient may develop symptoms of a sore throat. Drinking mullein tea may help reduce inflammation and signs of pain and swelling.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Treat Asthma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The crushed and dried flowers of the mullein herb make a gorgeous tea with a sweet aromatic taste and plenty of healing polyphenols. There are millions of Americans dealing with the respiratory disorder asthma<\/a>. Asthma attacks can have different intensities in people, depending on their susceptibility to the allergens causing the condition or the types of allergens causing the asthma response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The polyphenol antioxidants found in mullein help to combat the inflammatory response that initiates asthma. Drinking tea every day acts as a preventative measure against future asthma attacks. The tea polyphenols also help reduce the frequency and intensity of asthma attacks when they occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have asthma, try adding mullein tea into your diet and see if it makes a difference. However, before trying the tea, make sure you inform your doctor and ask if it’s safe for your to consume it and if it has a conflicting action with medications you’re currently taking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Relieve Migraines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Around 39-million men, women, and children across the United States report experiences of dealing with migraines. A migraine<\/a>, also known as a “cluster headache,” is an intensely painful experience that leaves most people unable to think, let alone work or do chores around the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imagine the worst headache you ever had, and magnify it by 10X, now you have the effects of a migraine. It’s not surprising that many people call in sick from work when they experience a migraine. These headaches also last for a lot longer than your traditional headache, sticking around for hours or sometimes days at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medical science is still unclear about the pathways causing migraine headaches. However, there is some interesting research choosing to drink mullein tea may soothe the effects of migraine and help you recover faster. If you experience frequent migraines, try adding a few cups of mullein tea into your daily diet to see if it makes a difference for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Stop Inflammation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to recent research by nutritional and medical scientists, inflammation <\/a>is responsible for many forms of chronic disease in humans. The inflammatory response starts in the digestive tract, where inflammatory cytokines escape the intestinal wall, flooding the body with inflammatory particles, creating a condition known as “systemic inflammation.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many nutritionists believe that by changing your diet, you can drop digestive and systemic inflammation levels in the body. Dropping out the processed foods and refined carbohydrates from your diet helps remove plenty of inflammation for your digestive system. Sugar and gluten are primary culprits in the diets of people dealing with digestive issues and disorders. Eliminating these foods from your diet will give you relief from inflammatory symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adding mullein tea to your diet helps to magnify the anti-inflammatory effect of your diet. The polyphenols in the mullein tea suppress the inflammatory response and the production of cytokine enzymes that start the cycle. By drinking the tea, you keep levels of the anti-inflammatory polyphenols elevated in your digestive system, stopping any inflammation in its tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Treat Gout<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nearly 4% of Americans or 8.3-million people experience gout <\/a>in any given year. According to a 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the results show that gout is partially an inherited syndrome, with 20% of all patients having a family history of the condition. Gout appears as inflammation in the joints of the affected individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As gout intensifies, it causes pain in the affected joint from the pressure put on it from the swelling or edema. Gout can have painful effects on the patient, and people who experience it find they often get gout attacks in the lower limbs, particularly the knees and ankles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drinking mullein tea can actively help to suppress the inflammatory response causing gout. The potent polyphenol antioxidants found in the mullein herb reduce the body’s production of inflammatory cytokines that lead to gout onset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a problem with gout, add a few cups of mullein tea to your diet and see if it makes a difference to your condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Relieve Constipation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nearly 4-million Americans deal with the effects of chronic constipation every year. Tha5ts around two percent of the population that have an issue with the disorder. When constipation strikes, it can occur due to many different factors. Being dehydrated, eating fibrous foods, or having an infection can all cause constipation<\/a>. Using medications r drugs is another prime culprit of causing constipation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The effects of constipation vary in individuals, depending on the cause and the health of the person’s digestive system. Constipation is common in both children and adults, and most cases end up resolving themselves without the need for medical intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re feeling constipated, turn to mullein tea for help. The polyphenols found in mullein tea remove inflammation in the digestive system. It encourages the natural peristaltic action of the digestive tract, allowing you to pass the stool. Brew a strong batch of mullein tea, drink it, and you should notice your bowels relieve constipation within the hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Safe for Use in Animals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dogs and cats also battle with inflammation<\/a>, and they can develop inflammatory diseases and disorders, just like us. Mullein tea and the herb also have anti-inflammatory advantages for use in your pet’s diet. If you have a pet dealing with a digestive disorder, mullein tea can help them overcome the inflammation associated with the condition, bringing them relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The polyphenols in the mullein herb have a potent anti-inflammatory effect in dogs and cats, with no toxicity. Speak to your vet about the best way to give mullein to your dog. Many vets recommend adding a teaspoon of crushed powder into their food at night. Most of them won’t even notice the flavor difference or complain about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mullein also helps to drop overall levels of systemic inflammation in your animals. Feeding it to them can help calm skin issues and reduce inflammatory conditions in dogs and cats. Always make sure you speak to your vet before giving your animals mullein supplements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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