BT-067 · Scrophulariaceae

Mullein

Verbascum thapsus ve diğer türler

Evidence: TraditionalGenerally safe

Over 200 Verbascum species grow in Türkiye, most of them endemic, found nowhere else.

Other names: Great mullein, gordolobo, sığırkuyruğu (Turkish)
Part used: Flowers, leaves
Region: Anatolia and the Mediterranean
North America
Use: Healing

Photo: Bernard DUPONT · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

In short

What is Mullein?

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus ve diğer türler) is a plant of the Scrophulariaceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean, North America. Part used: flowers, leaves.

What is Mullein used for?

Traditional use: The flowers are brewed for coughs and bronchitis; flower oil made in olive oil is dripped into aching ears. Scientific evidence: traditional. Contains mucilage and saponins.

Is Mullein safe?

Safety label: generally safe. Generally safe. Leaf and flower hairs irritate the throat; never drink the tea unstrained.

Traditional use

Anatolia

The flowers are brewed for coughs and bronchitis; flower oil made in olive oil is dripped into aching ears.

North America

The leaves of this plant from Europe were drunk and smoked by Indigenous peoples for the airways.

In nature

Where it grows: Dry slopes, roadsides and rocky places throughout Türkiye.
Harvest season: Flowers are picked June–August, as soon as they open in the morning.
Local names: sığırkuyruğu, ayıkulağı, öküzkuyruğu

Mix-up risk

With so many endemic species, picking rare ones harms conservation.

Preparation

Flowers are steeped and must be strained through fine cloth.

What science says

Contains mucilage and saponins. The EMA recognises the flower for coughs and throat irritation as a traditional use. Human studies are few.

Safety

Generally safe

Generally safe. Leaf and flower hairs irritate the throat; never drink the tea unstrained.

Conservation

Note: Most Verbascum species in Türkiye are endemic; rare species should not be wild-collected.
Alternative: Flowers from common species or cultivated plants.