When people talk about the mullein or wool flower, they usually mean a type of Verbascum with golden yellow flowers. In terms of toxicity or healing properties, a distinction must be made between different types of mullein.
Is the mullein poisonous?
The mullein (Verbascum species) with golden yellow flowers is non-toxic to humans and is used as a medicinal plant. However, black mullein (Verbascum nigrum) is poisonous; it contains the alkaloid verbacin and the iridoid aucubin. Some parts of plants can be poisonous to animals such as fish.
Caution poisonous: the black mullein
In contrast to the wool flower with yellow individual flowers and a height of up to two meters, the black mullein (Verbascum nigrum) is usually smaller (up to a height of around 120 centimeters) and is characterized by striking purple stamens on the delicate yellow flowers out of. The herb, which is less hairy than the cotton flower native to cottage gardens, contains the poisonous spermine alkaloid verbacin and the iridoid aucubin.
The poisonous effect of the yellow-flowered mullein on animals
Although the wool flower, valued for its healing properties and therefore planted in monastery and farm gardens for centuries, is non-toxic to humans and was probably sometimes fed to livestock as a natural remedy, parts of the plant are said to have a toxic effect on fish and other animals can. Allegedly, Aristotle scattered seeds of the plant into bodies of water in order to make fishing easier through the anesthetic effect of the saponins they contained on fish.
Use for healing teas and inhalations
Hippocrates and Hildegard von Bingen already appreciated the properties of mullein as a natural medicine. Areas of application for today's use are in the following areas:
- for mucus solution for colds and coughs
- for the treatment of asthma
- in the treatment of stomach and intestinal complaints
Extracts are made from the dried leaves and flowers of the mullein using high-quality oils or teas are freshly brewed.
Tips & Tricks
Since recognizing the correct type of plant and completely drying the plant parts requires certain knowledge, mullein teas can also be purchased in the pharmacy under the name Verbasci flos.
