10 Amazing Benefits of Mullein Essential Oil

by Meenakshi Nagdeve last updated -

The health benefits of mullein essential oil can be attributed to its properties as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, disinfectant, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, relaxant, and tranquilizing substance.

Common mullein or Verbascum thapsus and wavy leaf mullein or Verbascum sinuatum, as they are botanically known, are both used to extract the essential oil. The former one is more preferred for extracting oil. The essential oil is extracted by steam distillation of its leaves and flowers.

Mullein is distributed all over Europe, South and Central America, and the temperate zones of Asia. The essential oil contains coumarin, rotenone, tannin, triterpene saponins like verbascosaponin, mucilage, aucubin, catalpol, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. From a very long time ago, mullein was famously known as Candlewick, as it as actually was used to make candlewicks.

Later on, its medicinal uses became more important than its original uses. Let us explore more about what those medicinal uses are.

Health Benefits of Mullein Essential Oil

Analgesic

The analgesic property of this oil has a numbing effect on the nerves. It does not let them sense pain and carry the sensation to the brain, thereby giving relief from pains, such as those of a toothache, headache, cold, sinusitis, and others. It does not have adverse side effects on the body as general analgesic pills do.

Anti-inflammatory

Stalks of mullein flowers placed behind a small sealed bottle.

Mullein essential oil can help in cold and cough. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

The essential oil of mullein is anti-inflammatory in nature. It can effectively cure any type of nasal or respiratory tracts inflammation that may result from the common cold or inflammation in the digestive system caused by overeating of spicy food, alcoholic drinks, inflammation of the circulatory system caused by any toxic substance getting into the bloodstream, or inflammations caused by any other reason such as fever or infection. This oil can cure any type of inflammation. [1]

Antiseptic

The antiseptic property of this essential oil gives protection to wounds from infections which may cause septic and tetanus. This, it does by eliminating microbial growth in the affected place and also by activating the white blood cells and platelets in the region, so that microbes, even if they succeed to get through the wounds, are finished by these two agents.

Disinfectant

This oil is very efficient in curing both internal and external infections. Internally, it cures infections in the genitals and the urinary tracts, colon, excretory system, and the kidneys. Externally, it fights infections on the skin, in the ear, nose, and other parts of the body.

Diuretic

The mullein essential oil increases urination both by frequency and by quantity. This helps to drain out the toxins like uric acid as well as extra salts, water, and bile deposited in the body. Urination also helps to reduce weight due to the removal of water and fat through urine. It also helps to reduce blood pressure, enhances appetite, promotes digestion and prevents the formation of gases in the intestines. Urination also clears the deposits in the kidneys, thus keeping them clean.

Expectorant

This oil has remarkable expectorant properties. It loosens coughs or phlegm that is deposited in the lungs and respiratory tracts and gives relief from a cough, heaviness in the chest, breathing troubles, asthma, bronchitis, congestion, and other respiratory disorders. It does not only clear depositions of phlegm or catarrh but also soothes the mucous membrane. In fact, mullein was used in traditional Mexican medicine to treat inflammatory illness, particularly of the respiratory tract. [2]

Infographic on health benefits of mullein essential oil

Mullein essential oil helps in dealing with cold, cough, fever and infections. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Febrifuge

This essential oil of mullein is also capable of reducing fever by fighting the infections that cause fever. The diuretic properties of this oil also contribute to this effect, since the removal of toxins and wastes from the body speeds up recovery from infections.

Relaxant

Mullein essential oil has relaxing effects on the muscles, nerves, brain, and all other systems, thus giving relief from muscular cramps, nervous afflictions, and disturbances, nervous disorders, stress, anxiety, anger, depressions, etc. This also helps reduce blood pressure and reduces the chances of a heart attack. [3]

Tranquilizing

The patients of chronic insomnia or stress-related acute insomnia can definitely benefit from this property of mullein essential oil. It can give them their most desired thing, which is a night of sound sleep.

Other Benefits

Apart from the uses discussed above, this oil is used to treat all ailments of the respiratory system, such as congestion and coughs. According to the book, Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects mullein is also effective in treating dermatological disorders, including healing wounds and burns. [4]

A Few Words of Caution: No potent threat has been noted. It is non-toxic and non-irritant.

Blending: Mullein essential oil blends well with the essential oils of basil, eucalyptus, garlic, and thyme.

DMCA.com Protection Status
About the Author

Meenakshi Nagdeve, Co-Founder, Organic Facts is a health and wellness enthusiast and is responsible for managing it. She has completed the Nutrition And Healthy Living Cornell Certificate Program, Cornell University, US. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from IIM Bangalore and B. Tech in Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science from IIT Bombay. Prior to this, she worked for a few years in IT and Financial services. An ardent follower of naturopathy, she believes in healing with foods. In her free time, she loves to travel and taste different types of teas.

Rate this article
Average rating 4.2 out of 5.0 based on 81 user(s).