A common weed, mullein has been used for centuries as a natural remedy. Today, mullein is one of the most well-researched medicinal plants with proven health benefits. It contains numerous saponins, flavonoids, glycosides and other compounds. These compounds are what make mullein so powerful in treating earaches, coughs, ulcers, and inflammatory conditions.
Like with most natural remedies though, simply drinking some mullein tea proabably won’t be enough to cure ailments; you’ll get better results with mullein leaf extract. Here’s what you need to know about the types of mullein extracts, mullein leaf vs. flower extract, and which products are the best.
Best Mullein Extracts
Here are our picks for best mullein extracts, including mullein leaf and mullein flower extracts. Because mullein is hard to digest and is damaged by alcohol, we only recommend glycerin mullein extracts. Choose mullein flower extract for earaches. For treating cough or other ailments, either mullein flower or leaf will work. However, mullein leaf extract tends to be more affordable.
*Because of the coronavirus pandemic, mullein extracts are in high-demand. Some of these products might not be available. Pleurisy root is another good option for treating cough and lung ailments. Read about it here.
1. MH Research Mullein Leaf Extract
The mullein leaf used to make this glycerin extract is certified organic. The mullein is grown in Nevada and the extraction is also done in the USA. They use a 1:3 ratio of dried mullein leaf to glycerin when doing the extraction, which is a good amount – and it’s a sign of trust that the company lists this information.
- Mullein leaf
- Certified organic
- Glycerin extract
- 2 fl. oz bottle
- Buy Here
2. Christopher’s Original Formula Lung Plus Bronchial
This extract contains a blend of herbs which are all known for helping to treat cough and lung inflammation. Most of the ingredients are organic and all are a high quality and thus should be very potent. The herbs are extracted in glycerin so it has a good shelf life and tastes sweet. It comes in a 2fl. Oz bottle so is a better value than other brands.
- Mullein leaf
- Also contains marshmallow root, chickweed, lobelia, lungwort, pleurisy root
- Glycerin extract
- Oz bottle
- Buy Here
3. Nature’s Answer Mullein Flower Extract
This extract is made from mullein flowers soaked in olive oil. It says it is for ears but it can also be used internally for coughs, asthma, and other ailments as well. The company has a good reputation and makes all of their products in the USA.
- Mullein flower
- Olive oil extract
- 1 fl. oz bottle
- Buy Here
4. Nature’s Answer Mullein Leaf Extract
Also made by Nature’s Answer, this extract is from mullein leaves instead of flowers. This makes it better suited for coughs and lung ailments than earaches. Another difference is that it is extracted in glycerin. There is 2,000mg of plant matter per 2ml dose.
- Mullein flower
- Glycerin extract
- 1 fl. oz bottle
- Buy Here
5. Herbal Pharm Mullein Flower and Garlic Oil Extract
Based on one of the oldest natural remedies for earaches, this blend contains calendula, St. John’s Wort, mullein and garlic extracted into olive oil. All ingredients are wild-harvested and the olive oil is organic. The garlic smell is definitely strong but it shouldn’t bother you – especially since garlic is such a good natural antibiotic. Note that there is no reason you couldn’t take this formula internally. However, the manufacturer states that it is only for external use.
- Mullein flower
- Also contains calendula, St. John’s Wort, and garlic
- Organic olive oil extract
- Labeled for external use only
- For children or adults
- 1 fl. oz bottle
- Buy Here
6. HerbalTerra Mullein Extract
The Herbal Terra brand has been around since 2010 and make over 700 different herbal extracts and remedies. Their mullein leaf is grown abroad (currently either in Croatia or Chile), dried on location, and then sent to the USA for the extraction process. Growing abroad allows them to keep their prices low while still gaining the benefit of fertile soil and an ideal growing environment. Just make sure you choose the alcohol-free formulation if you want to take this for cough and lung issues.
- Mullein flower
- Glycerin extract
- Comes in various sizes
- Buy Here
7. Hawaii Pharm Mullein Extract
I really like this brand of herbal extracts because they make quality products at affordable prices. The mullein is wild-harvested to ethical standards. They actually list their solvent ratio (1 part dried mullein flower to 3 parts glycerin), which is a good amount. The brand also sells large containers of their mullein extract, which makes it an even better value if you need to take mullein extract regularly.
- Mullein flower
- Glycerin extract
- Comes in various sizes
- Buy Here
Mullein Leaf vs. Flower Extract
Both mullein leaf and flower contain mucilage and can help treat cough, asthma, and other respiratory problems. They are both also good for treating wounds, ulcers and inflammation. However, research shows that mullein flower might be better than mullein leaf when it comes to treating earache. Mullein flower also has a slightly sweet taste so it is the better choice for children who might not willingly take the bitter tasting mullein leaf.
Types of Mullein Extracts
Before you buy a mullein extract, make sure you understand which type you need. For coughs and lung ailments, glycerin mullein leaf extract is generally considered the best option. Olive oil mullein flower extracts are a good choice for earaches. Avoid powdered mullein as it really isn’t an extract and has a low bioavailability (your body won’t absorb it well).
Glycerin Mullein Extracts
Glycerin mullein extract is considered the overall best way to take mullein. It is made by soaking the leaves or flowers in glycerin, which is a solvent. The health-promoting compounds from the mullein dissolve into the glycerin. After several weeks, the plant matter is strained out, leaving you with an extract which is very rich in plant compounds.
Oil Mullein Extracts
Oil is sometimes used as an alternative to glycerin for making mullein extract. Usually olive oil is used but other types of oil can also be used. There is little information about glycerin vs. oil mullein extracts in terms of potency. Some people may prefer olive oil over glycerin because it is more natural. However, it’s worth noting that olive oil extracts will go bad faster than glycerin – especially in warm temperatures.
Dried Mullein Powder
Mullein powder is made by drying mullein leaves or flowers and then pulverizing them into a powder. Even though many brands call their products mullein extract, powders are not a true extract. You’ll have to take much more of it to get the same results.
Powdered mullein has some health benefits but is not nearly as potent as a true extract. Mullein is very hard for the body to digest. The powder contains a lot of fiber, which can reduce how much of the nutrients you’ll actually absorb. Further, the grinding process exposes more of the dried plant matter to air, meaning nutrients in the plant oxidize quickly. In other words, powdered mullein will go bad fast. You are better off consuming whole mullein than mullein powder.
*Don’t be fooled by labels saying things like “4:1 extract.” This refers to the amount of dry mullein by weight compared to fresh mullein. True extracts measure specific compounds in the plant – not weight after drying.
Mullein Extract Capsules or Pills
These products are the same as dried mullein powder. The only difference is that the powder is in a capsule or pill form for convenience. Like with mullein powder, mullein in capsules has a lower bioavailability and oxidizes quickly. So, while these products are popular, glycerin mullein extracts are still the best choice.
Alcohol Mullein Extracts
Mullein extracted in alcohol is NOT recommended. Alcohol damages the mucilage in mullein (which is the part of mullein which is largely responsible for treating cough, coating dry throats, and calming inflamed tissues). When mullein is put in alcohol, the mucilage breaks into simple carbs and becomes ineffective. You’ll still get many of the antioxidants and other healthy compounds in mullein, so it is a good solution for boosting immunity and reducing inflammation, but alcohol mullein extracts won’t be good for treating coughs.
For more on the differences between tinctures, extracts, dried herbs and powders, read this post about the Best Way to Take Herbal Remedies.