What is mullein?
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), sometimes called great mullein or Aaron’s rod, is a biennial in the figwort family. In its first year it forms a low rosette of large, felted leaves; in its second it sends up a flower spike that can reach two metres.
It grows across Europe and Asia and has naturalised widely elsewhere. The leaves feel velvety because they are covered in fine hairs — which matters when you make the tea.
What is in mullein leaf?
The leaf contains mucilage — a water-loving, gel-like plant material that gives mullein tea its soft, coating quality — along with saponins, iridoid glycosides such as aucubin, and flavonoids including verbascoside.
In European herbal tradition mullein has long been used in soothing respiratory blends, and it still appears in seasonal herbal routines today.
How to make mullein tea
- 1Put 1–2 teaspoons of dried mullein leaf in a cup or pot.
- 2Pour over 250ml of water just off the boil.
- 3Cover and steep for 10–15 minutes.
- 4Strain through a fine cloth or a paper coffee filter, not just a tea strainer.
- 5Drink up to 1–3 cups a day. It tastes mild and faintly sweet.
Why mullein must be strained well
The tiny hairs on mullein leaves pass straight through an ordinary mesh strainer, and they can irritate the throat if you drink them. A fine cloth, muslin or paper coffee filter catches them. This is the single most important step in making mullein tea.
Who should check before using mullein
- Check with your doctor before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication.
- A cough or breathing symptom that persists needs to be looked at by a doctor — herbal tea is not a substitute for that.
- A food supplement is not a substitute for a varied diet.
Last updated 8 October 2026.
