Nature presents us with many gifts. One of them is mullein, or verbascum. This plant has many varieties. The most common flowers are: common mullein, densely flowered, black, olympic, purple, scepter-shaped, hybrid, paniculate, bear ear, royal scepter which will be discussed in this article. Sometimes mullein species are completely different from each other, you can see this by looking at the photo. But each flower is unique in its own way, has medicinal properties and is widely used in official and folk medicine. Depending on the variety, mullein can be a biennial or perennial plant. These flowers grow in wild environments: fields, meadows, and are also domesticated and planted by gardeners for later use.
Growing the royal scepter mullein plant
Royal scepter mullein is a biennial plant that grows up to 2 m in height and has a shape similar to a scepter. Small yellow flowers about 1.5 cm in diameter are placed densely on the upper half of the stem. They bloom alternately, starting approximately from the middle of the stem. Thus, mullein flowering occurs throughout almost the entire warm period.
Verbascum leaves are located horizontally above the ground, they are quite wide and pubescent. He has a powerful root system, this is especially true for perennial species.
Flowering variety of the Royal Scepter
Most often this plant can be seen on roadsides, in yards, gardens and parks, in fields and forest areas. It also grows on personal plots, where it receives proper care and is subsequently used as a medicine.
Attention! Mullein grows best in sandy soil, although black soil is also suitable for it. You cannot sow royal scepter mullein in clay soil.
Mullein reproduces in several ways:
- Division of rhizomes. Since the royal scepter mullein is a biennial plant, by the end of the first year’s flowering last days September - early October, gardeners dig up rhizomes and separate shoots. They are treated with disinfectants and planted in the soil. In this way, mullein reproduces, and a person can control where the flowers grow so that they are not placed too close to each other. Even before the onset of frost, the divided rhizomes will produce small sprouts.
- Self-seeding Upon completion of flowering, seeds are formed in place of the flower, which, after drying under the influence of wind or rain, leave the mother plant and fall into the ground. This type of propagation does not require effort, but has a number of disadvantages: the impossibility of growing in rows; if there are several species in one area, self-seeding will lead to the degeneration of some of them.
- Growing the royal scepter mullein plant from seeds. This is the most suitable option. It is less energy intensive than dividing rhizomes and more human-controlled than self-seeding. The seeds are collected from the largest inflorescences and dried. In May they are sown in prepared soil and watered. After a few weeks, seedlings appear that need to be thinned out, leaving only the most strong plants at a distance of at least 30-40 cm from one another. Mullein flowers grown from seeds will bloom in the second year. After which it will be necessary to collect and sow the seeds again.
Attention! Don't bury the seeds too much. It is best to scatter them over the soil and then sprinkle them with a small amount of soil. As the root system grows, it will position itself at the required depth.
Mullein royal scepter is easy to care for
Like any plant, verbascum needs care. But gardeners don’t have to spend a lot of time on it.
- Fertilizer. Even before sowing, they do not add large number mineral fertilizers, the soil is loosened with a hoe. Mature plants love feeding with organic or mineral fertilizers, which should be applied to the root zone.
Seeds of the Royal Scepter variety
- Weeding. The plant will feel better in loosened soil. Weeds make things worse appearance plot, take nutrients from the ground, and also create shade, which can damage young mullein shoots. Therefore, weeds must be removed regularly.
- Mulching. Royal scepter mullein responds well to mulching. Sprinkling the soil with sawdust, bark, wood chips or other substances reduces the number of weeds, saturates the soil with useful substances and simply looks aesthetically pleasing.
- Collection of seeds. Having selected several flowers on the stem, they are not removed until the seeds are completely ripe. After the petals have completely dried, the seeds are collected, the remains of the flower are removed and dried in the sun - most often on a windowsill inside the house. Seeds should be stored in a paper bag in a room with low air humidity.
- Removing flowers. Since flowering of verbascum occurs in stages, you need to ensure that you remove it in time. wilted flowers. Otherwise, they will draw on the strength of the plant, slowing down the flowering process of the remaining buds, and after some time they will dump the resulting seeds into the ground.
- Removing the stem. After the end of the mullein flowering period, it is necessary to completely cut off all the stems, which, after removal, can be put into compost.
- Preparing for winter. Due to low temperatures In winter, even before the onset of cold weather, care must be taken to ensure that the royal scepter survives the frost. To do this, the rhizomes are sprinkled with ash, sawdust, peat, fallen leaves and even branches.
Medicinal properties of mullein
The royal scepter mullein has healing properties; with its help, you can prevent diseases or alleviate their course.
Verbascum is used:
- for skin diseases, lichen;
- for problems with the stomach and intestines;
- for hemorrhoids;
- for diseases of the oral cavity;
- for asthma and throat problems;
- for cardiovascular diseases.
Mullein in nature
Royal scepter mullein has a soothing, expectorant, wound-healing, diuretic effect, will relieve swelling and puffiness. Therefore, it is included in many medicines.
In folk medicine, mullein tincture, decoction, oil and ointment are used.
Attention! When preparing mullein products, the stamens must be carefully removed. They cause irritation to the skin and mucous membranes.
Contraindications to treatment with mullein
Verbascum - very useful plant, but there are still a few caveats.
- It is very rare that a person is intolerant to this flower. Before use, do a test: spread a small amount of ointment or mullein decoction on a healthy area of skin. If after several hours redness, burning or other signs of rejection do not appear, you can safely use mullein as a medicine.
- During pregnancy and lactation, this plant should be used carefully. It’s better to completely eliminate it at this time.
Traditional medicine is designed to help people. But only in moderation and in sensible ways. Serious diseases can only be diagnosed and treated by a highly specialized specialist - a doctor, who should be contacted immediately. The mullein royal scepter has wide range medicinal properties and can prevent many diseases. But the main gift a person can give to their health is proper nutrition, mode and regular physical activity. In combination with verbascum products, they will bring health and longevity to the whole family.
Nature is rich in various beneficial medicinal plants, which can independently develop and reproduce in the numerous fields and forests of our homeland. One of such medicinal representatives of the world of flora is mullein - a plant herbaceous family Norichnikovye.
What kind of culture is this? What is its habitat? What properties does it have? And how is it used in medicine? Let's find out.
Botanical species
Despite the fact that mullein (or a bear's ear, or a royal scepter) is wild grass, its appearance, especially during the flowering period, is very attractive.
The stem of the plant is single, erect, densely covered with downy, ashy hairs. The pointed leaves of common mullein are fifteen to thirty centimeters long and five to ten centimeters wide. They grow along the entire stem, proudly rushing upward.
Typically, the Royal Scepter blooms with a thick, spike-shaped inflorescence in the shape of a cylindrical brush.
However, the description of the common mullein would be superficial if we focused only on the characteristics listed above. The most beautiful thing about this plant is its flowers, crowned with a straight long stem, the height of which can vary from fifty centimeters to three meters.
It's time to bloom
The common mullein flower has a bright yellow color. It is very small and delicate in appearance. Here is its structure:
- bract (has a pointed shape in the form of a lancet);
- peduncle (thick and short, attached to the solid axis of the inflorescence);
- calyx (has pointed lobes converging at the base);
- corolla (fifteen to twenty millimeters in diameter, yellow);
- stamen (there are only five of them, the front two are slightly thicker and longer than the others);
- pestle (in the form of short thin threads).
The royal scepter begins to bloom from the second year of life.
Habitat
Where does common mullein grow? This plant can be found in almost all countries of the world, although its natural areas of distribution are considered to be Eurasia and the archipelagos in Atlantic Ocean near Europe and Africa.
Common mullein is unpretentious to the soil; it can freely develop and bloom along roadsides, on sandy and rocky areas. Getting on chernozem or other species fertile soil, the plant gets sick and dies.
Chemical composition
As mentioned above, mullein is a plant often used in medical purposes. Therefore it chemical composition very rich in all kinds of useful microelements.
These include: tannins, saponins, beta-carotene, sugars, ascorbic acid, essential oils, fatty oils, alkaloids, iridoids, glycosides, harpagide, arcubine, catalpol, coumarins, phenolcarboxylic acids.
The elements listed above have a positive effect on various organs and systems human body. They are easily extracted from the plant itself and can be used in the manufacture of pharmacological agents.
What does a bear's ear help with? What effective means of using it exist?
Medicine for many diseases
Extracts from common mullein are used for diseases of the nerves, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, they can cure hemorrhoids, rheumatism and even tuberculosis. The plant has diuretic, expectorant, antifungal, sedative, analgesic, hypoglycemic, immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory and other effects.
Diseases and conditions
For example, it is quite possible to cure the initial stage of urolithiasis with mullein enzymes. Such important elements plants, like saponins, have a diuretic effect on the body and remove small stones and sand, and essential oils and iridoids reduce inflammatory processes and protect against infectious damage to the mucous membrane.
Cystitis (like other inflammatory diseases bladder) can also be cured with drugs based on of this plant. The medicinal properties of common mullein lie in the action of enzymes such as essential oils, iridoids, acids and potassium. They relieve inflammation and act as pain relievers.
Bear ear can also deal with swelling easily. Thanks to saponins and its other components, the plant is able to remove human body all excess liquid.
Bronchitis, pneumonia and even asthma are quite amenable to adjustment with drugs based on the components of the royal scepter. First of all, these are mucus, saponins, essential oils, organic acids. They relieve inflammation of the respiratory system, cleanse the lungs, thin mucus and promote its removal from the body.
Thanks to elements such as saponins and iridoids, mullein is able to prevent the proliferation of cancer cells and even eliminate them.
Diseases associated with the nervous system (stress, overexcitation, depression, insomnia, neuroses) can also be treated with this herb. Saponins, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, alkaloids and magnesium, which are part of the plant, soothe and improve the functioning of the central nervous system. In complex therapy, they can even help in the fight against seizures and epilepsy.
Diseases of the joints, muscles and bone tissue are also effectively treated with bear's ear components such as flavonoids, calcium and magnesium, which strengthen bones, improve joint mobility and elasticity of connective tissues, restore damaged nerve fibers, etc.
Cardiovascular diseases can be effectively corrected with drugs that contain active ingredients common mullein. These are flavonoids, essential oils, coumarins, alkaloids, ash, potassium, calcium, magnesium, which strengthen the heart and blood vessels, cleanse capillaries, lower blood pressure, and reduce blood clotting.
The royal scepter also helps with purulent wounds, ulcers, burns and other serious injuries. skin. Thanks to the action of coumarins, iridoids, organic acids, tannins and other elements, it is possible to get rid of bacterial and viral infections, so that wounds can cleanse and heal.
Using a bear's ear, you can completely recover from such a serious disease as hemorrhoids. Plant extracts help reduce painful formation and reduce inflammatory processes.
As you can see, the range of uses of common mullein in medicine is very wide and specific. How can you cure certain diseases at home?
Traditional medicine
So, we learned what diseases the royal scepter treats and how to use it. Now let's take a look at the tips and tricks for collecting and storing the plant.
Collecting herbs
This process can be carried out in the summer, in sunny weather, immediately after the dew has disappeared. If you want to collect flowers and leaves, then this is best done from June to August, but if it is seeds, then from September to October.
Since mullein blooms daily, you can collect new flowers from one bush every morning. And so on for many months!
Processing
Storage
Save collected material must be in containers made of non-synthetic materials. For example, stems and leaves can be stored in paper envelopes, and flowers in carefully sealed glass jars.
In terms of storage time, common mullein can be stored for no more than two years.
When harvesting a plant, it is important to take into account that during drying it loses a lot in weight and volume. Therefore, from eight kilograms of fresh raw materials you will get only one kilogram of dry.
Caution in use
Before using the plant, you should consult your doctor and also find out if you are allergic to any of the active ingredients.
It is also important to ensure that the seeds of the Royal Scepter (they are highly toxic) and small villi (which can cause irritation of the esophagus) do not enter the body.
To others important contraindication Mullein is its component tannin, which contributes to the occurrence of malignant tumors. Therefore, cancer patients are strictly prohibited from using drugs with this component.
As you can see, the Bear Ear should be used very carefully and cautiously.
However, if you do not abuse this remedy and adhere to the recommended dosage and instructions, you can quickly cure many diseases and significantly improve your well-being.
Common mullein - biennial plant of the Norichnikov family, the stem can reach three meters in height. The plant has other names: bear's ear, candle, royal candle, royal scepter and others. Most often, a bear ear can be found on sandy soils. However, this does not prevent the plant from growing successfully in parks, gardens and along roads. In the first year, the plant produces only a large number of leaves, next year A powerful stem is already beginning to grow. The leaves are entire. The candle blooms approximately from July to August. The flowers are bright yellow, grow in bunches of 2-5, bloom gradually and fall quickly.
Preparation and storage of mullein
The flowers that are the most valuable in the plant are best collected in the morning. As soon as the sun has dried the morning dew, you can start collecting. Regardless of the stage at which the raw materials are - collection, preparation, storage - it is important to be careful. The fact is that the flowers are very delicate and if they are stored or collected incorrectly, then instead of the expected golden hue, they will get dirty brown, and at the same time they will lose some healing properties. In order to obtain high-quality raw materials, it is important to avoid collecting flower calyxes. Separate the flower corollas. Ready.
Now you need to properly dry the material. A dry, ventilated room or dryer is good for this. It is important that the room temperature does not rise above 50 degrees, and if possible, it is advisable to avoid direct sunlight. Once the flowers have dried, they must be placed in a container that closes tightly. Because if the vessel is without a lid or poorly closed, delicate flowers will absorb moisture from the air and lose some of their useful properties. The recommended shelf life of raw materials is 2 years.
Composition and medicinal properties of mullein
- Mullein was found in folk medicine wide application. Sometimes it is used independently, and sometimes in combination with other herbs. The most common method of use is a decoction. Although you shouldn’t write off external use either.
- Traditional medicine can offer a decoction of mullein, which will have a positive effect on the functioning of many organs and systems. For example, people suffering from kidney disease will be glad to know that a decoction of the leaves is indicated for kidney stones.
- In addition, the decoction will also help with bladder inflammation and various swelling.
- At various diseases respiratory tract For asthma and colds, use an infusion of stems, leaves and flowers.
- The infusion is an excellent expectorant and anti-inflammatory agent.
- Also, perfect for inflammation of the pharynx, tuberculosis, and pneumonia.
- People who suffer from various nervous disorders are also advised to take an infusion of mullein flowers.
- Epilepsy, headache, cramps - all this can calm that same infusion, thanks to its calming properties.
- Elderly people often experience problems with their legs and joints. And this is where mullein comes in handy. Oil or alcohol rubbing based on mullein will also help you feel better with gout, inflammation of the facial nerve, and rheumatism.
- Lotions from the decoction have a healing effect. So, purulent wounds, ulcers, cracks, burns will heal faster if you use lotions from the plant or sprinkle with powder and then lubricate with oil infusion.
- People who have experienced hemorrhoids at least once know how unpleasant this problem is. And here mullein comes to the rescue. By taking a tincture of mullein flowers and following a certain diet, you can not only get rid of the consequences, but also the cause itself.
Use of mullein in folk medicine
There are many recipes for all kinds of tinctures, rubs and other things, which include mullein. Here are just a few of them.
Seed powder ointment
This traditional medicine is perfect for treating putrefactive wounds and ulcers. For preparation you will need powdered seeds and butter. The ratio is 1 to 2. You need to mix well, you get some kind of ointment. It can be applied to affected areas of the skin.
A decoction of leaves is a universal panacea
To prepare the decoction you will need 1 tablespoon of dry leaves of the plant. Grind the leaves, add 200 ml of water and boil for 1 minute. Next, the decoction should infuse. This takes approximately 30 minutes. Then you need to make a kind of “filter”. To do this, take gauze and layer it in several layers. You need to pass the finished broth through such a “filter” to get rid of unnecessary lint. It is recommended to take 1 tablespoon of the decoction 3 times a day. Cystitis is an unpleasant disease, but the decoction will help make it easier to bear. The decoction is also a good diuretic. As for external use, the decoction can be used in the form of lotions that will cope well with ulcers.
Vodka tincture for rubbing
To prepare a tincture for rheumatism, joint diseases and radiculitis, you need to mix 1 serving of flowers with 10 servings of alcohol or vodka.
Oil infusion
To prepare the oil infusion you need 100 ml olive oil, 3 tablespoons of mullein flowers. Next, the ingredients are placed in a bottle or jar. We put it on the window so they can fall sun rays. Every day the contents of the jar must be mixed and shaken. After time, filter the infusion and store in the refrigerator. This traditional medicine will perfectly help with ear problems: ear inflammation, ear pain, boils.
Infusion of mullein flowers
1 dessert spoon of flowers per 1 glass hot water. Everything else is simple. Leave for 10 minutes, strain. Take 100 ml 3 times a day after eating. Helps with headaches and cramps.
Contraindications
There are no contraindications. However, this does not mean that you can excessively use traditional medicine containing mullein.
Common mullein - (Verbascum thapsus L.) or scepter-shaped mullein(V. thapsiforme Schr.), bear's ear - biennial herbaceous plant from the Norichnikov family - Scrophu1ariaceae. It has a well-developed, erect, simple or with few branches stem from 30 to 150 cm in height. The basal leaves are petiolate, oblong-elliptic, slightly crenate: the upper leaves are on short petioles or sessile, oblong-ovate, pointed. The inflorescence is in the form of a dense, narrow, spike-shaped panicle. The flowers are small, white, with five petals, five stamens and a lower two-lobed ovary.
Fruit- spherical brownish odorous two-seeds. The plant blooms in June-August. The entire plant is covered with a thick, yellowish or gray woolly felt of branched hairs. Grows on sandy soils and rocky outcrops, clearings pine forests, along ravines and river banks in the European part of the country, in the Caucasus, in Siberia.
WITH medicinal purpose Mostly flower corollas are used. In folk medicine, in addition to flowers, leaves, stems (grass) and roots of the common mullein, scepter-shaped, are used. Collect corollas during full bloom plants in dry weather every day, since the blooming flowers last only one day and then fall off. Fallen flowers should not be collected. The collected corollas are scattered in a thin layer in the air and dried thoroughly. The finished raw material should have a bright yellow color, browned flowers - no more than 3%, destroyed and unopened flowers - no more than 4%, organic impurities - no more than 0.25%. Store raw materials in durable tin or glass jars in a warm place. The grass is collected in July-August, the roots are late autumn. Dry and store in a dry, warm place. It has been established that mullein corollas contain up to 2.5% mucus, about 11% sugars, as well as saponins, essential oil, gum, coloring agent alpha-crocetin, coumarin, beta-carotene, vitamin C. Isolated from the roots and flowers of this plant organic acid and flavonoids. Leaves contain: up to 13.1 mg% vitamin C.
Mullein- an ancient medicinal plant. It was known to Hippocrates under the name Phlomos. Mullein preparations have expectorant, emollient, enveloping and analgesic properties. In this regard, an infusion of flowers, less often leaves, is used as an expectorant for bronchitis, bronchopneumonia and diseases of the upper respiratory tract. In folk medicine, an infusion of flowers is used for gastritis, gastroenteritis, diseases of the liver and spleen. For these purposes, prepare an infusion of 5 parts of flowers per glass of boiling water, take 1/3-1/2 cup warm 2-3 times a day. The same infusion is used externally as an emollient in the form of compresses and poultices for rheumatoid arthritis. Mullein flowers are included in breast collections. A popular chest pack consisting of equal parts mullein flowers, mallow and marshmallow flowers. Brew one tablespoon of the mixture with a glass of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes, filter and take 1/2 cup 3 times a day after meals.
Together with herbs, thyme, sage, black currant leaves, pine needles, oak bark and burdock roots, mullein flowers are used for baths for scrofula. Mullein root has diuretic properties. Therefore, it is widely used in folk medicine for urolithiasis and gout. In these cases, it is usually used decoction 1:20 from dried mullein root, 125-225 ml per day: in the morning on an empty stomach and in the afternoon between meals. Fresh leaves This plant, boiled in milk, is recommended for external use as a painkiller for burns and panaritiums. The drug is applied to the affected areas 1-2 times a day. The leafy tops of mullein, collected at the beginning of the flowering of the plant, are recommended for use as an analgesic and anti-swastastic agent for hypertension, atherosclerosis and inflammation of the respiratory organs. (N.G. Kovaleva, 1972).
Quite rare bright flowers Plants with interesting colors and arrangement on the stem are used as a medicine in the treatment of many diseases. Common mullein - shining example beautiful flower plant, which has long been used for both decorative and medicinal purposes.
Mullein (popularly sometimes called cowshed) is a biennial or perennial grass, which sometimes reaches a height of 2-3 meters (shrub form), and most often grows to 80-120 cm. In our country, it is distributed mainly in the Middle Zone and the Caucasus, and in the world it prefers to settle in the temperate zone: it can be found in Europe, Asia and even North Africa, along the coast Mediterranean Sea. Interestingly, the barnyard was even brought to the USA (there it grows in middle lane and closer to the north) and to Australia.
Mullein has one erect stem, around which there are long and fairly wide, lobed leaves (in a spiral). Sometimes they have a smooth texture, but more often they are covered with fluff. I wonder what scientific name flower "Verbascum" means "beard", since the foliage of the plant is covered with fluff, which creates a similar impression.
The flowers have correct form and consist of 5 petals. They are quite large and have a wide variety of colors: blue, bright red, white and cream, orange, brownish. It blooms from the second half of June until the end of summer.
Gallery: mullein (25 photos)
Medicinal properties of mullein (video)
Description of mullein species
More than 100 species of mullein are known and described - most of them live in the wild, but there are also those bred by breeders.
Common mullein (bear's ear)
This species can be found in Eastern Siberia, Altai and Central Asia. It was also brought to Australia and New Zealand. The flowers have yellow color, and the stamens are light brown. Used as honey plant: Apparently, because of this, it received the second name bear’s ear. Grows up to 2.5-3 meters in height.
Bear's ear foliage is harvested in herbal preparations and as an independent medicine, since many infectious and inflammatory diseases are treated with its help.
Common mullein (bear's ear)
Hybrid mullein
This species was specially bred for use in garden decoration. It has good hardiness, so it is grown even in the Siberian climate. It's interesting that hybrid mullein produces flowers all summer, and if you remove all the dried inflorescences in a timely manner, it will be covered with flowers in September, although there will not be so many of them.
The color most often has shades of pastel pink tones: soft pink, light coral and orange shades. Used primarily as a flower garden decoration.
Mullein densely flowered (scepter-shaped)
It is also called tall mullein or Divina grass. Produces a tall, fleshy stem (up to one and a half meters). The foliage spreads near the base of the grass, so the stem stands out strongly against the general background and resembles a scepter, for which the species received its name. In Russia it is mainly grown in the European part, in the Caucasus and in some areas of the Urals. Distributed everywhere in Europe.
Gives small yellow flowers, therefore it is often used in the garden. However, it is also used for medical purposes: raw materials based on mullein serve as a natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent.
Mullein densely flowered (scepter-shaped)
Black mullein
This plant also produces a large stem (up to 120 cm in height). Most often the flowers are yellow, although sometimes white shades are also found. Well adapted to the conditions of Siberia and Far East, therefore it is easily grown in these areas. Prefers to settle on high banks of rivers, in ravines, and near lakes. It is less common far from water bodies.
It is called black because the stamens, located in the center of the flower, are dark purple in color and contrast beautifully against the background of the bright yellow petals. Used in garden decoration and as a medicinal plant.
Mullein officinalis
This is a small plant that usually grows to 50-80 cm. Biennial, produces small bright yellow flowers. The species is interesting because it can be found even on uncultivated soil - he is very unpretentious to living conditions and at the same time contains many valuable substances, which is why it got its name.
Mullein has a particularly valuable effect on nervous system and blood circulation: and it is used for nervous disorders, physical exhaustion, stress and many other pathologies.
Mullein officinalis
Composition of common mullein
The foliage and stem of common mullein contains many useful substances that not only improve overall well-being, but also have a beneficial effect on different systems organs:
- saponins lead to the dilution of sputum, due to which bronchitis, sore throats and coughs go away much faster;
- essential oil has a bactericidal and wound-healing effect;
- vitamin C, which improves immunity;
- tannins that have an astringent effect - this is useful for diarrhea and dysentery;
- glycosides and mucous substances that destroy microbes;
- microelements that improve metabolic processes.
Thanks to such a rich chemical set, cowberry has long been used in folk medicine to treat many diseases.
The foliage and stem of common mullein contains many useful substances
Medicinal and beneficial properties of common mullein
Along with its general tonic effect, mullein has a complex effect on different organs and fabrics:
- bactericidal and wound healing;
- pain reliever;
- expectorant;
- antispasmodic (that is, preventing the formation of spasms of blood vessels, bile ducts and other channels);
- diuretic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- anticonvulsant;
- sedative (calming).
Due to these properties, the plant is used as a pain reliever, as well as in the treatment of viral infections, bronchial asthma, inflammation, stomatitis, periodontal disease and many other pathologies.
Collection, preparation and storage of bear ear
Beneficial substances are contained mainly in leaves and flowers, so these are the parts of the plant that are collected and dried in medicinal purposes. All types of mullein have interesting feature: They bloom within one day, so the collection of raw materials occurs daily in dry weather. In terms of time, they try to start harvesting after 10 a.m., otherwise dew drops make the plant too wet. In this case, only fully opened inflorescences are collected.
Dry the raw materials for several days (in a dryer at a temperature of 50°C) or for 2-3 weeks. outdoors(under a canopy) until fully prepared: when pressed, the leaf or flower should break and not bend. Store flowers in resealable glass jars, and foliage in paper or cotton bags. The maximum shelf life is 2 years.
Mullein in folk medicine (video)
The use of mullein in folk and traditional medicine
The product is used in different forms:
- decoctions;
- alcohol infusions;
- external use in the form of compresses and baths.
Mullein is often treated with medicinal collection, which includes others medicinal plants. Internal use most common - this is how they treat infectious diseases and pathologies of organ systems. External therapy is used to heal the skin, and also for inflammation of the middle ear.
We treat colds and gastrointestinal diseases
To combat infectious diseases take half a teaspoon of dried flowers and pour a glass of hot water. It is enough to let it brew for half an hour. The infusion can be gargled, and also taken orally 5-6 times (a few tablespoons before meals).
The same remedy helps with gastritis, colitis and diarrhea. And among infectious pathologies, mullein decoction treats bronchitis, laryngitis and tracheitis.
Mullein is often treated as part of a medicinal collection, which includes other medicinal plants.
For skin healing
If a wound, boil, abrasion or a rash appears, you can make compresses from a decoction of mullein flowers and greens: take a tablespoon and pour two glasses of boiling water, after which the mixture is boiled for half an hour at a low boil. Compresses are made using a bandage and cotton wool; course of treatment until complete recovery.
Important! If the wound has festered and there is pain and stretching, you can take a tablespoon of dry leaves, put them in milk and boil for 4-5 minutes. Change compresses every 4 hours.
How to overcome a hoarse voice
One of effective means For quick recovery voices – take a teaspoon of mullein flower syrup every day (4-5 times). You can cook it yourself: take a teaspoon of flowers, cook until boiling in 2 cups of boiling water, and then for half an hour over very low heat. After this, half a glass of sugar is added to the solution and cooked further until completely thickened. Hoarseness will go away in 5-7 days.
One of the effective remedies for quickly restoring your voice is to take a teaspoon of mullein flower syrup every day.
We treat radiculitis and arthritis
It is used to treat these diseases alcohol tincture flowers and dried herbs: 1 part of the mixture (flowers and greens in the same ratio) is poured with 10 parts of vodka. The mixture is infused for 2 weeks and then applied in the form of compresses, which are applied to sore spots and changed 3-4 times a day.
Royal mullein oil
For the treatment of external skin diseases(allergies, itching, eczema, boils), and also for hemorrhoids, a simple recipe for making royal oil is suitable: take 2 teaspoons of fresh flowers and pour them into a bottle of olive oil. The mixture is infused for 1 month in a dark place, and then compresses are used based on it, which are applied to sore spots. It is also used for otitis media and inflammation of the middle ear.