What are the benefits of mullein tea?

Medical News Today

18 hours ago

Mullein tea may possess many benefits. This can potentially include supporting lung health, and having an antimicrobial effect. However, there is limited evidence supporting this and more research is still necessary.Mullein tea is a beverage that has played a role in traditional medicine for hundreds of years. People have used tea made from the leaves of the common mullein plant (Verbascum thapsus) as a herbal remedy for persistent coughs, asthma, and colds.Mullein refers to a genus of plants, containing over 2,500 species, native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. V. thapsus is a single species of mullein. People worldwide have tried it for its aromatic flavor and potential medicinal properties.Potential benefits and uses of mullein teaMullein tea may offer health benefits, but more research is necessary to demonstrate its potential health benefits in humans. At present, most research involves parts or elements of mullein in test tubes. As such, the possible benefits from these studies may not reflect what happens in humans. Further research could help people understand the effects of mullein on humans.Lung healthA 2021 review notes that people may consume mullein to help relieve respiratory problems, such as colds, coughs, hoarseness, asthma, and bronchitis. This may be due to its potential to relieve coughs and loosen mucus, although researchers are yet to understand how it achieves these effects.Mullein tea's potential effect on respiratory symptoms may be due to the presence of anti-inflammatory plant compounds, including flavonoids, iridoids, glycosides, saponins, vitamin C, and various minerals. This could help with conditions involving inflammation of the airways, such as asthma. However, further research needs to assess the effects of mullein tea in treating asthma and other respiratory conditions, as many studies use a fluid extract or individual chemical components. The concentration of plant compounds that pass from the leaves into the infused beverage remains unclear.Antibacterial propertiesSome test-tube studies suggest that mullein extract can reduce the growth of certain bacteria. For example, a 2020 study found that a common bacterium in soil called Bacillus cereus was most sensitive to the effects of V. thapsus.According to a 2021 review, research has also found the plant fluid extract to be effective against bacteria that cause respiratory infections. However, a more recent study found that while previous authors have identified antibacterial properties in V. thapsus, it showed no effects on Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).Again, these have studied extracts in test tubes. They do not give a reliable indication of mullein tea's effects on humans.Might have other health effectsAlthough test-tube studies have not directly demonstrated mullein tea's effects on human health, the plant contains multiple compounds that could provide potential health benefits. Aside from potential anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, these might include:antiviral action, with some evidence suggesting it may possess potent antiviral activity against some virusesanticancer effects, according to a 2022 study involving alcohol-derived extracts combined with extracts from other plantsprotective effects on brain cells, per a 2022 study on mice who had Alzheimer's diseaseHowever, more research is still necessary to confirm the effects of mullein tea on human health.Possible side effects of mullein teaGenerally, health experts consider mullein tea to be safe with no known side effects.However, tiny hairs sit on the surface of its leaves, and they have natural irritant properties to ward off cattle and other grazing animals. In some individuals, these hairs may trigger a contact dermatitis reaction when handling the plant.A 2019 case report found that a 12-year-old girl experienced contact dermatitis after exposure to a combination of V. thapsus and another plant family called Asteraceae. Although the researchers could not directly link the reaction to V. thapsus alone, they also could not rule it out.No safety data is available to confirm whether mullein tea is safe for consumption during pregnancy or chestfeeding.How to prepare mullein teaMullein is available in various forms, including teabags, extracts, dried leaves, capsules, and tinctures. The packaging will provide instructions for preparing each specific product.The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates supplements and herbal products differently than it does medications. This means that the ingredient lists may be misleading, and the packaging may suggest benefits that evidence does not support.Those who have foraged and dried wild mullein leaves can submerge a handful of leaves in around 8 ounces (oz) of boiling water for thirty minutes or more. For a clump-free tea, place the leaves in a strainer or infuser and remove them after finishing the tea. Adding honey can make it into a cough syrup.SummaryVerbascum thapsus (V. thapsus) is a species of mullein plant that people may use in herbal remedies. Mullein tea is one of the possible preparations that people derive from the plant.Some evidence suggest that mullein may reduce coughing and loosen mucus in people with asthma and other respiratory conditions. It may also reduce bacterial growth and has a range of plant compounds that could have beneficial effects.However, current evidence has only looked at the effects of mullein on cells in tubes or animals. As such, more research is humans is still necessary.