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.
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.
Sources:
https://thepracticalherbalist.com/advanced-herbalism/mucilage-mullein-cough-how-it-works/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/mucilage
https://theherbarium.wordpress.com/category/3-internal-herbal-medicines/a-tinctures-fluid-extracts/
https://www.henriettes-herb.com/blog/absorption.html
https://www.khromaherbs.com/blogs/news/glycerin-vs-alcohol
https://trilliumcenter.org/2013/02/21/the-art-of-making-tinctures/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0268005X17320817
https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/9/9/1066/htm
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/superseded-assessment-report-verbascum-thapsus-l-v-densiflorum-bertol-v-phlomoides-l-flos_en.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2952292/
https://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-695X2013000600948