Plant Profile

Great Mullein

Compiled by the Omnia Sana editorial team from the plant database ·Last updated August 15, 2026

Verbascum thapsus

Family: Scrophulariaceae · Parts used: Flower, Leaf · Also known as: common mullein, Aaron's rod, flannel leaf, velvet plant

Common names in 28 European languages →

The complete database record: 3 documented constituents, 4 pharmacological actions, 8 traditional / indicated uses, with 20 cited sources.

Botanical Description

Tall, stately biennial herb forming a low first-year rosette of large, soft, thick, densely woolly grey-green leaves; in the second year it sends up a single, tall, unbranched flowering spike densely packed with bright yellow, five-petalled flowers that open a few at a time.^[1]

Height: 1-2 m (flowering stem, second year)

Habit: Tall, biennial herb; woolly basal rosette in year one, single tall flowering spike in year two

Leaves: Large, soft, thick, densely woolly grey-green, entire to faintly scalloped margin

Flowers: Bright yellow, five-petalled, densely packed along a tall unbranched spike

Stem: Single, tall, unbranched, woolly flowering stem (second year only)

Root: Stout taproot

Fruit: Small capsule with numerous tiny seeds

Flowering Period: June-September (second year)

Habitat & Distribution

Grows on dry, sunny waste ground, roadsides, disturbed soil and rocky slopes; native to Europe, North Africa and Asia and widely naturalised in North America and elsewhere.^[1]

Harvesting

The flowers are picked individually as they open through summer (since they open only a few at a time and quickly fade once picked); leaves are gathered from the first-year rosette or second-year plant and dried, with care to filter out the fine leaf hairs, which can irritate the throat if not strained from tea.^[1]

Parts: Flower, Leaf

Season: Flowers through summer as they open; leaf from rosette or flowering plant

Key Constituents

Iridoid glycosides (aucubin, catalpol)^[2]

Anti-inflammatory iridoids contributing to the plant's traditional respiratory and anti-inflammatory use.

Iridoid glycosidesGlycosides

Saponins and mucilage^[1]

Mucilage gives the soothing demulcent action; saponins contribute to the traditional expectorant effect.

SaponinsMucilage

Flavonoids^[2]

Antioxidant flavonoids contributing to overall activity.

Flavonoids

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[1, 2, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15]}

Anticancer (preclinical)^[4]

Expectorant^{[1, 2, 3, 13, 14, 15]}

Sedative / sleep support^{[13, 14, 15]}

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^{[13, 14, 15]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Arthritis / joint pain

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Bronchitis^{[13, 14, 15]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from expectorant action

Evidence: 1

Label: Bronchitis

more plants for bronchitis →detailed sources →

Cancer (anticancer research)^[4]Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from anticancer action

Evidence: 2

Label: Cancer (anticancer research)

more plants for cancer (anticancer research) →detailed sources →

Cough^{[1, 13, 14, 15]}Good · 7/10

inferred from expectorant action

Evidence: 7

Label: Cough

more plants for cough →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)^{[13, 14, 15]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1

Label: Inflammation (general)

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Insomnia / sleeplessness^{[13, 14, 15]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from sedative action

Evidence: 1

Label: Insomnia / sleeplessness

more plants for insomnia / sleeplessness →detailed sources →

Respiratory support^{[1, 13, 14, 15]}Good · 7/10

Evidence: 7

Label: Respiratory support

more plants for respiratory support →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^{[9, 13, 14, 15]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 5

Label: Skin irritation

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Traditional Use & History

Great mullein has a long European and Native American tradition as a soothing demulcent and expectorant remedy for cough, bronchitis and irritated airways, and the flower has also been infused in oil as a traditional remedy for earache; the soft, woolly leaf gave rise to old names like 'flannel leaf' and 'velvet plant'.^{[1, 2]}

Preparations

Infusion (flower or leaf)^[1]

Dried flower or leaf infused in hot water and carefully strained (to remove fine irritant hairs) as a traditional demulcent cough and respiratory tea.

Dosage

Infusion^[12]

The EU herbal monograph gives 1.5-2 g of the flower in 150 mL of boiling water as an infusion, three to four times daily (daily dose 4.5-8 g), in adolescents, adults and elderly; the infusion should be carefully strained to remove the irritant hairs. The monograph covers the FLOWER (Verbasci flos) only - it gives no posology for the leaf. Not recommended under 12 years. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[13, 14, 15]}Caution

Generally considered safe for short-term use. The tiny hairs on the leaves can cause irritation if tea is not properly filtered. No significant drug interactions documented. Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to lack of safety data.

Safety note^{[13, 14, 15, 16]}Caution

Duke (2002) rates mullein as ++ with clinical evidence (score 2) for its expectorant activity, consistent with Commission E approval for catarrh and inflammation of the respiratory tract. It functions as a demulcent and emollient for mucous membranes. Traditionally used for bronchitis, asthma, and earaches (oil infusion). Dose: 1.5–2 g dried flower or leaf as tea, three to four times daily. Duke notes an antiviral (antiherpetic) activity at the experimental level. The plant is generally well-tolerated with no known significant contraindications at therapeutic doses (Duke, 2002).

Dangerous Lookalikes

Digitalis Purpurea^{[17, 18, 19, 20]}Fatal

Confused Part: First-year basal leaf rosette (the foraged leaf, used for tea), before either plant sends up a flower spike.

Confusion Context: Foxglove is the dangerous look-alike for foraged soft-leaf rosettes: its poisonous first-year rosette resembles the plants people gather, and documented cardiac-glycoside poisonings have followed foxglove leaves eaten as comfrey or borage. Great mullein is foraged at the same woolly-rosette stage and grows in the same disturbed, sunny ground, so the same confusion applies. Foxglove leaves contain cardiac glycosides and can be fatal.

Distinguishing Features: Mullein leaves are densely, evenly woolly on BOTH surfaces - a thick silvery-grey felt that gives a soft blanket-like nap and largely hides the veins. Foxglove's upper surface is green and only thinly downy, never a thick silvery felt, and shows a sunken net of veins., Foxglove leaves have a distinctly toothed or scalloped margin; mullein margins are entire to only faintly scalloped. Use this only alongside the wool test, not on its own.

Key Test: Look at the UPPER surface: a thick, even, silvery wool that hides the veins = mullein. A green, matte, net-veined upper surface (only thinly hairy) with a toothed edge = foxglove - do not use it.

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-06

Harvest Readiness

^[11]

Part: flower

Signals: Pick the flowers when in flower, in summer - they open a few at a time up the tall spike, so gather the fresh blooms repeatedly and dry quickly.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: The plant is harvested when in flower and is dried for later use.

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: PFAF (REF-3362); the flowers are gathered when in flower (June-August), opening a few at a time up the spike. Single lineage -> provisional. SAFETY: the first-year mullein rosette resembles the FATAL foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) rosette - confirm identity; see Dangerous Lookalikes.

^[11]

Part: leaf

Signals: Gather the leaves with the flowering plant in summer.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: The plant is harvested when in flower and is dried for later use.

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: PFAF (REF-3362); the leaf is gathered with the flowering plant in summer. Single lineage -> provisional. SAFETY: as above - the rosette is confusable with the fatal Digitalis purpurea.

External Identifiers

GBIF ›Wikidata ›

References & Sources

Turker, A.U. and Gurel, E (2005) 'Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.): recent advances in research', Phytotherapy Research, 19(9), pp. 733-739. doi:10.1002/ptr.1653 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1653
Gupta, A., Atkinson, A.N., Pandey, A.K. and Bishayee, A (2022) 'Health-promoting and disease-mitigating potential of Verbascum thapsus L. (common mullein): A review', Phytotherapy Research, 36(4), pp. 1507-1522. doi:10.1002/ptr.7393 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7393
Ali, N., Ali Shah, S.W., Shah, I., Ahmed, G. and others (2012) 'Anthelmintic and relaxant activities of Verbascum thapsus (Mullein)', BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 12, pp. 29. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-12-29 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-12-29
Mahdavi, S., Amiradalat, M., Babashpour, M., Sheikhlooei, H. and others (2020) 'The Antioxidant, Anticarcinogenic and Antimicrobial Properties of Verbascum thapsus L', Medicinal Chemistry, 16(7), pp. 991-995. doi:10.2174/1573406415666190828155951 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1573406415666190828155951
Kashan, Z.F., Arbabi, M., Delavari, M., Hooshyar, H. and others (2015) 'Effect of Verbascum thapsus ethanol extract on induction of apoptosis in Trichomonas vaginalis in vitro', Infectious Disorders Drug Targets, 15(2), pp. 125-130. doi:10.2174/1871526515666150724114924 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1871526515666150724114924
Chen, S., Liu, H., Wang, S., Jiang, H. and others (2022) 'The Neuroprotection of Verbascoside in Alzheimer's Disease Mediated through Mitigation of Neuroinflammation via Blocking NF-kappaB-p65 Signaling', Nutrients, 14(7), pp. 1417. doi:10.3390/nu14071417 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14071417
Bampidis, V., Azimonti, G., Bastos, M.L. and others (EFSA FEEDAP Panel) (2021) 'Safety of a feed additive consisting of a tincture derived from Verbascum thapsus L. (great mullein tincture) for use in all animal species (MANGHEBATI SAS)', EFSA Journal, 19(7), pp. e06711. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6711 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6711
Blanco-Salas, J., Hortigon-Vinagre, M.P., Morales-Jadan, D. and Ruiz-Tellez, T (2021) 'Searching for Scientific Explanations for the Uses of Spanish Folk Medicine: A Review on the Case of Mullein (Verbascum, Scrophulariaceae)', Biology, 10(7), pp. 618. doi:10.3390/biology10070618 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/biology10070618
Taleb, S. and Saeedi, M (2021) 'The effect of Verbascum thapsus on episiotomy wound healing in nulliparous women: a randomized controlled trial', BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 21(1), pp. 166. doi:10.1186/s12906-021-03339-6 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-021-03339-6
Soto, K.M., Luzardo-Ocampo, I., Lopez-Romero, J.M., Mendoza, S. and others (2022) 'Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized with Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) and Castor Bean (Ricinus communis) Ethanolic Extracts Displayed Antiproliferative Effects and Induced Caspase 3 Activity in Human HT29 and SW480 Cancer Cells', Pharmaceutics, 14(10), pp. 2069. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics14102069 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14102069
Plants For A Future 'Verbascum thapsus (Great Mullein, Common Mullein)'. Available at: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Verbascum+thapsus Traditional / reference
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Verbascum+thapsus
European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (n.d.) 'European Union herbal monograph on Verbascum thapsus L., V. densiflorum Bertol. and V. phlomoides L., flos (Verbasci flos)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/verbasci-flos Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/verbasci-flos
Oliff, H.S. and Blumenthal, M (2003) 'Great mullein', pp. 30--31. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Great%20mullein
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org
Turker, A.U. and Gurel, E (2005) 'Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.): recent advances in research', 19(9), pp. 733--739. doi:10.1002/ptr.1653 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1653
Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition
Lin, C.C. and Yang, C.C. and Phua, D.H. and Deng, J.F. and Lu, L.H (2010) 'An outbreak of foxglove leaf poisoning', Journal of the Chinese Medical Association, 73(2), pp. 97-100. doi:10.1016/S1726-4901(10)70009-5 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1726-4901(10)70009-5
Janssen, R.M. and Berg, M. and Ovakim, D.H (2016) 'Two cases of cardiac glycoside poisoning from accidental foxglove ingestion', CMAJ, 188(10), pp. 747-750. doi:10.1503/cmaj.150676 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.150676
Woodland Trust (2024) 'Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)'. Available at: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/plants/wild-flowers/foxglove/ Traditional / reference
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/plants/wild-flowers/foxglove/
NC State Extension (2024) 'Verbascum thapsus (Common Mullein)'. Available at: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/verbascum-thapsus/ Traditional / reference
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/verbascum-thapsus/

Selected studies & references

ReviewHealth-promoting and disease-mitigating potential of Verbascum thapsus L. (common mullein): A review source↗ (2022)

ReviewSafety of a feed additive consisting of a tincture derived from Verbascum thapsus L. (great mullein tincture) for use in all animal species (MANGHEBATI SAS) source↗ (2021)

ReviewSearching for Scientific Explanations for the Uses of Spanish Folk Medicine: A Review on the Case of Mullein (Verbascum, Scrophulariaceae) source↗ (2021)

ReviewCommon mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.): recent advances in research source↗ (2005)

RctThe effect of Verbascum thapsus on episiotomy wound healing in nulliparous women: a randomized controlled trial source↗ (2021)

PreclinicalGold Nanoparticles Synthesized with Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) and Castor Bean (Ricinus communis) Ethanolic Extracts Displayed Antiproliferative Effects and Induced Caspase 3 Activity in Human HT29 and SW480 Cancer Cells source↗ (2022)

PreclinicalThe Neuroprotection of Verbascoside in Alzheimer's Disease Mediated through Mitigation of Neuroinflammation via Blocking NF-kappaB-p65 Signaling source↗ (2022)

PreclinicalThe Antioxidant, Anticarcinogenic and Antimicrobial Properties of Verbascum thapsus L. source↗ (2020)

All 14 studies in the Knowledge Finder →

Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.

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