Great Mullein (Verbascum Thapsus) is a very tall and distinctive looking plant that grows wild on the sunny fields of Europe, North America, Asia and some parts of Africa. The multitude of small yellow flower bouquets seem to reach for the sun and make it look like a giant flickering candle. The leaves are disposed in a round conformation at the base of the plant and the tall stem just shoots up and can reach up to a 2 meter height.
The leaves, the stem and the flowers are covered in very fine, grey, powdery looking stratum of hairs that can irritate the eyes and the skin of those trying to pick up the useful parts of the plant. Despite this minor inconvenience, people try to collect as much as they can of this plant that constitutes a very valuable natural remedy in severe coughs and other respiratory problems.
The most valuable parts of the great mullein are the leaves and the bright yellow flower petals. The active ingredients are stored in great quantity in the minuscule petals that need to be handpicked and carefully maneuvered. The dehydrated petals and leaves must be kept dry and can be turned into potent teas, tinctures, and medicinal wines, syrups, used in medicinal baths and creams.
The Great Mullein contains important anti-inflammatory substances and people use it to cure the many problems of the respiratory tract. It can help in difficult cases of bronchitis by stimulating the expectoration process, it can reduce chest pain in cases of lung inflammation and it can have a calming effect on the severe cases of cough.
The great mullein oil has a great effect on the skin inflammation and it was successfully used in many troublesome skin conditions since the middle ages.
The importance of this plant resides in its many valuable compounds that the science just started to isolate and study. The great mullein is, as the name states it, a good plant to have around.
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