The Use Of Verbascum Thapsus To Treat Bronchitis

The Use Of Verbascum Thapsus To Treat Bronchitis
Other Common Names: Adam's Flannel, Beggar's Blanket,
Bullock's Lungwort, Bonhomme, Borraja, Common Mullein, Flannel Mullein,
Flannel Plant, Feltwort, Fluffweed, Hare's Beard Gordolobo, Great
Mullein, Jupiter's Staff, Molene, Pano, Sigirkuyrugu, Velvet Dock,
Velvet Plant, Verbascum thapsus

Range: Chile; Dominican Republic; Eurasia; Europe; Haiti;
India; Spain; Turkey; USA (is exceedingly abundant as a naturalized
weed in the eastern States).

Habitat: Sunny positions in uncultivated fields and waste ground, especially on dry soils.

The down on the leaves and stem makes excellent tinder when quite
dry, readily igniting on the slightest spark, and was, before the
introduction of cotton, used for lamp wicks, hence another of the old
names: 'Candlewick Plant.' An old superstition existed that witches in
their incantations used lamps and candles provided with wicks of this
sort, and another of the plant's many names, 'Hag's Taper', refers to
this, though the word 'hag' is said to be derived from the Anglo-Saxon
word Haege or Hage (a hedge) - the name 'Hedge Taper' also exists - and
may imply that the sturdy spikes of this tall hedge plant, studded with
pale yellow blossoms, suggested a tall candle growing in the hedge,
another of its countryside names being, indeed, 'Our Lady's Candle.'
Lyte (The Niewe Herball, 1578) tells us 'that the whole toppe, with its
pleasant yellow floures sheweth like to a wax candle or taper cunningly
wrought.' Great mullein is a commonly used domestic herbal remedy,
valued for its efficacy in the treatment of pectoral complaints. It
acts by reducing the formation of mucus and stimulating the coughing up
of phlegm, and is a specific treatment for tracheitis and bronchitis.

The Latin name Verbascum is considered to be a corruption of
barbascum, from the Latin barba (a beard), in allusion to the shaggy
foliage, and was bestowed on the genus by Linnaeus.

Both in Europe and Asia the power of driving away evil spirits was
ascribed to the Mullein. In India it has the reputation among the
natives that the St. John's Wort once
had here, being considered a sure safeguard against evil spirits and
magic, and from the ancient classics we learn that it was this plant
which Ulysses took to protect himself against the wiles of Circe.

For medicinal purposes it is generally collected from wild
specimens, but is worthy of cultivation, not merely from its beauty as
an ornamental plant, but also for its medicinal value, which is
undoubted. In many places, besides growing wild, it is carefully
cultivated in gardens, because of a steady demand for the plant by
sufferers from pulmonary consumption.

The leaves and the flowers are anodyne, anti-inflammatory,
antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, demulcent, diuretic, emollient,
expectorant and vulnerary. An infusion is taken internally in the
treatment of a wide range of chest complaints and also to treat
diarrhea. The plant combines well with other expectorants such as coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) and Thyme.html">Thyme (Thymus vulgaris).

The dried leaves are sometimes smoked in an ordinary tobacco pipe to
relieve the irritation of the respiratory mucus membranes, and will
completely control, it is said, the hacking cough of consumption. They
can be employed with equal benefit when made into cigarettes, for
asthma and spasmodic coughs in general.

Externally, a poultice of the leaves is a good healer of wounds and
is also applied to ulcers, tumors and piles. Any preparation made from
the leaves needs to be carefully strained in order to remove the small
hairs which can be an irritant. The plant is harvested when in flower
and is dried for later use.

An infusion of the flowers in olive oil is used as earache drops, or
as a local application in the treatment of piles and other mucous
membrane inflammations. This infusion is also strongly bactericidal.

A decoction of the roots is said to alleviate toothache and also relieve cramps and convulsions.

The juice of the plant and powder made from the dried roots is said
to quickly remove rough warts when rubbed on them. It is not thought to
be so useful for smooth warts.

The seeds are slightly narcotic and also contain saponins. A
poultice made from the seeds and leaves is used to draw out splinters.
A decoction of the seeds is used to soothe chillblains and chapped skin.

A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh leaves. It is used in
the treatment of long-standing headaches accompanied with oppression of
the ear. From 8 to 10 drops of the tincture are given as a dose, with
cold water, repeated frequently.

Known Hazards: The leaves contain rotenone and coumarin.
Rotenone is used as an insecticide and coumarin can prevent the blood
from clotting. Hairs on the leaves can act as an irritant.

- Grieve. M. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9