Verbascum, Mullein

High Taper, Torchweed
Della Materia Medicinale Andrea Valuassori, 1562
Kurtzes Handtbuchlein, Ryff, 1599
Koehler's Medizinal Pflanzen, 1887

Botanical name:
Verbascum thapsus (syn. V. thapsiforme), V. phlomoides
It has been used in TCM (Mao Rui Hua) but is not a commonly used medicine.

Parts used:
Leaf; Flower; Root

Temperature & Taste:
Neutral, dry. Sweet, Bitter

Classifications:
2L. EMOLLIENT.    2Q. ANODYNE
3L. ANTI-TUSSIVE

Uses:
1. Clears Heat and Phlegm, Moistens Dryness, Stops Coughs:
-‘Coughs, Ulcers of the Lungs, Spitting of Blood, Asthmas’ (Salmon).

2. Clears Phlegm, Resists Poison, Resolves Swellings:
-Sore Throat

3. Nourishes the Sinews, Stop Wind and Spasms:
-stiffness of the Sinews, Cramps, Convulsions (esp. Root)

4. Clears Heat, Stops Leakages and Bleeding:
-Diarrhea, and Dysentery

5. Benefits the Heart and Circulation, Moves the Blood:
-Palpitations, Angina.

6. Clears Heat and Damp, Promotes Urine:
-promotes Urine, helps clear Gravel and Stones;

7. Tonic:
-Potter, in his Compend of Materia Medica (1902) said ‘highly praised as a substitute for Cod-liver Oil in phthisis and other wasting diseases’.

8. Externally:
-catarrhal Deafness, degeneration of hearing
-Earache, sores and ulcers of the Ear.
-juice is rubbed onto Warts
-juice was used to draw Thorns and Splinters from the flesh
-wash or poultice for heat and swelling of the Eyes (flowers steeped in Rose Water is good).
-mouthwash to eases Toothache (esp. Root decoction).
-contracted Sinews and Rheumatic complaints
-‘The seed bruised and boiled in wine, and laid on any member that has been out of joint, and newly set again, takes away all swelling and pain’ (Culpeper).
-Ashes of the herb made into a soup restore grey hair to its original color.

Main Combinations:
1. Cold, Flu, acute Cough, Mullein  ... available in PRO version
2. Cough:
i. Mullein with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Mullein with  ... available in PRO version
iii. sore Throat, Hoarseness, Mullein with  ... available in PRO version
3. Bronchitis:
i. Mullein with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Mullein with  ... available in PRO version
iii. Mullein with  ... available in PRO version
iv. acute Cough and Bronchitis, Mullein with  ... available in PRO version
4. Asthma:
i. Mullein with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Mullein with  ... available in PRO version
5. Hemoptysis or Consumption, Mullein with  ... available in PRO version
6, Cancer:
i. Mullein with  ... available in PRO version
7. Fomentation for bleeding Hemorrhoids, Mullein with  ... available in PRO version
8. Wash for Stiffness and Cramps, Mullein with  ... available in PRO version

Major Formulas:
Infusion of Seven Flowers
Decoction for Cancer (Fuller)
Universal Vulnerary Decoction (Joseph Du Chesne)
Warming Pearl Powder (Diamargariton Calidum) (Avicenna)
Powder to Purge in Ascites (Nicholas)


Cautions:
Generally Safe.
Seed and fresh root are toxic in large doses.

Main Preparations used:
Distilled water of the Flowers, Infused Oil of the Flowers (repeated several times)