Verbascum phlomoides L. - Mullein

Verbascum phlomoides is a biennial (sometimes annual), herbaceous plant in Scrophulariaceae family (TH-Th). The root is thick, not branched. In the first year of vegetation only the leaf rosettes develop. The leaves are 20-30 cm long, lanceolate, the marginals are crenate. The flower stem develops in the second year, it is 1.5-2.0 m tall, covered with hair. The leaf arrangement is alternate on the stems. The inflorescences are decorative, terminal spikes, the florets are yellow. The flowering starts in June and lasts till August. The flowers are blooming in early dawn. The fruits are capsules with lot, brown seeds in it. Thousand seed weight: 0.08-0.80 g.

Hairy mullein is a cosmopolitan plant species, distributed through Anatolia, North Africa, North America, Europe. In Hungary, it is common in oak forests, pastures, often as a weed. Mullein needs lot light; otherwise it is drought-, and cold tolerant.

Official drug of mullein is Verbasci flos, which consists of the dried petals and the unseparated stamens. Both are mentioned in Ph.Hg.VIII. and in E-monographs, according to the prescribes not only Verbascum phlomoides, but Verbascum thapsus L. and Verbascum densiflorum Bertol. can be collected, too. Mullein leaf (Verbasci folium) is also known and used as herbal drug.

Mullein’s main active agents are polysaccharid mucus (3 %) and its derivatives, flavonoids (1.5-4.0 %), caffeic acid derivates, saponins (verbascogen), saccharids (10-11 %), iridoid-monoterpenes (aucubine) and carotinoids (erocetin).

Mullein drug has antiviral, antibacterial, expectorant activity. It is applied in teas, tea mixtures for healing cold, sore throat, catarrh.