Mullein for #colds and #asthma

     I was having a conversation with two beautiful herbal women the other day and we started talking about colds and respiratory ailments.  One turned to a tincture of mullein to help with her upper respiratory infection.  She said it not only helped but made her feel like she was being wrapped in a great big hug.
     It reminded me of my oldest son who has asthma.  Mullein is a huge relief for him.  With a cup of mullein tea each morning he was able to get off of his medications and only rarely needed his rescue inhaler.  He went as far as doing an experiment for a high school project.  He charted his breathing and use of his rescue inhaler without his mullein tea and with it.  The project lasted over three months and the difference was significant.
     Mullein is considered a weed by most.  It is found in fields, pastures, along roadsides and in waste areas from Maine to Minnesota.  But, as the sign in my studio states a plant is only a weed if you do not know what to do with it.  All plants serve an ecological function for their environment.  Mullein will blanket the land where fire has cleared forests.  It appears to be invading the land at this point but after a year or two, new plant species emerge and diversity expands.  The mullein acts as a balm for the earth covering its internal burns and helping regenerate new growth; this is what it does for your lungs in a way.

Mullein - Verbascum thapsus

     I call mullein the phallic symbol of the garden.  Its soft fuzzy leaves grow wide and low and then the flower stalk grows straight up reaching as high as six feet producing tiny yellow flowers.  It is the leaves that are good for the lungs.  The flowers can be collected steeped in olive oil and used for ear infections and eczema of the external ear and its canal.
     The leaves are demulcent, antispasmodic and an expectorant.  They are beneficial for coughs, especially dry , hoarse coughs which occur chiefly at night, and bronchitis and tracheitis.  They will reduce mucus formation and stimulate the coughing up of phlegm.  They are also slightly sedative.  I believe this really helps with the stress and panic my son would have when having an asthma attack.  It also tones the the mucus membranes of the respiratory system and reduces inflammation.  As a daily tea and can be used indefinitely.
     The soft mucilaginous leaves although soothing to the skin and mucosa when prepared as a tea or poultice are actually irritating when fresh.  The leaves should be picked in mid summer before the leaves turn brown and dried in the shade.

Cold Sharing

     My son was home on leave from the Marine's for two weeks.  During that time holidays, his birthday and a flip of the calender occurred.  I took a vacation from my accounting job.  I took a step back from my lotions & potions.  A step that included taking inventory, prepping taxes and setting intentions and plans in motion for the new year.  I also spent a lot of time in the kitchen.  It is a joyous place for me and with my son home yearning for home cooked meals I was elated.   With his arrival came his friends to visit and raucous laughter.
     He also came home with a cold and sinus issues.  He generously passed his germs to the rest of the house.  Dis-ease quickly passed through.  It only stops briefly here.  I was prepared.  The elderberry syrup has been out on the counter for all to enjoy. I always cook with lots of herbs and throw astragalus and reishi in many recipes.  And when my son arrived home I pulled out the heavy hitting allies along with the netti pot.
     I started everyone on Guido's decongestant formula.  Guido Mase came to the Connecticut Herb Association last year and showed us how to make this simple tincture of goldenrod, elder flower and catnip.  I also pulled out the pokeweed tincture.  This is administered as a single drop once a day (It is that strong).  Susun Weed discussed this lovely plant as a way to boost the immune system and get the lymph flowing.   A couple days of this plus an herbal steam and my son was as good as new.  And the rest of us each "suffered" for a day or two.
     What about these herbs made me turn to them?
Pokeweed - Phytolacca decandra is a beautiful plant that grows wild on our property.  It's red stems and deep purple berries grow to towering heights each summer before dying back in the fall.  It contains triterpenoid saponins which are strongly anti-inflammatory and lignans which are antiviral.  It is used to treat respiratory tract infections, such as sore throats and tonsillitis as well as swollen glands and chronic infection.  It is a lymphatic "decongestant" stimulating the clearance of waste products.  It is also used to induce vomiting.  It is highly toxic in overdose. Use only under care of a practitioner and do not take if pregnant.

Pokeweed

Goldenrod - Solidago canadenis is a gorgeous plant radiating sunshine as fall approaches.  It is often falsely blamed for allergy flare ups when in reality it is rag weed causing the problem.  With its sunny disposition it can handle the bad press.  It is used by many as an emotional healer for those with a lack of endurance and strength to persevere through difficulty.  It is taken for sore throats, chronic nasal decongestion, upper respiratory catarrh and may be combined with other herbs for influenza.  It is also used for hay fever and cat allergies where eyes are red and itchy, and there is congestion, sneezing and a runny nose.

Goldenrod

Elder Flower - Sambucus nigra  The flowering tops are ideal for coughs, colds and flu.  An infusion is relaxing and produces a mild perspiration that helps to reduce fever.  They tone the mucous linings of the nose and throat, increasing resistance to infection.  They are used for chronic congestion, allergies, ear infections and candidiasis.  If taken  a month or more before the start of hay fever season it will reduce the severity of hay fever attacks.

Elderflower

Catnip - Nepeta cataria  yes, the same plant your cat loves.  It settling to the stomach, sedative and fever reducing.  It is pleasant tasting and has a gentle action making the tea suitable for children in treating colds, flu and fever especially when it is mixed with elder flower and honey.

Catnip