Mullein
EVIDENCE: INSUFFICIENTAlso sold as: Verbascum thapsus, common mullein, great mullein, mullein leaf
Mullein is a traditional herb for coughs and chest congestion. Its respiratory use rests on tradition and lab studies; the only human trials we found tested mullein-containing ear drops for ear pain in children, not lung health.
Compiled by iSupplementReviews editorial team ·Researched 2026-10-16 · 3 sources
- Type
- Botanical leaf/flower
- Studied dose
- No oral human trials for respiratory use
- Best form
- leaf or flower; traditional use is tea or tincture
- Our rating
- INSUFFICIENT — No meaningful human evidence
What is mullein?
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a tall, fuzzy-leafed plant used in folk medicine for coughs, sore throats and chest congestion. It grows wild across Europe, Asia and North America.
Other names and forms
Common mullein, great mullein, velvet plant. Sold as dried leaf, flower, tea, tincture and capsule.
Where does mullein come from?
Leaves and flowers of a biennial plant that grows in disturbed soil and roadsides.
How does mullein work in the body?
The plant contains saponins and mucilage, which traditional herbalists consider soothing and expectorant. Lab studies show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral activity (Gupta et al., 2022). None of this has been confirmed in respiratory trials in people.
What is mullein claimed to do?
Clear mucus, soothe the airways and support lung health.
What does the research show?
| Claim | Evidence | Dose studied | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lung function or breathing | No human trials found | — | Insufficient |
| Mucus clearance | Traditional use only | — | Insufficient |
| Ear pain (as part of ear drops) | Two pediatric RCTs | Topical drops | Positive, different use |
The human trials that do exist
Mullein’s only human trials we found are for ear drops, not lungs. Sarrell et al. (2001) and Sarrell et al. (2003) tested an herbal ear-drop blend containing mullein in children with ear-infection pain. The drops eased pain comparably to anesthetic drops. Swallowed mullein was not tested.
What dose was studied?
No oral dose has been tested in respiratory trials. Traditional tea use is a few grams of dried leaf steeped in hot water.
Side effects
Generally mild. Unstrained leaf hairs can irritate the throat; skin contact can irritate sensitive people.
Drug interactions
None well documented.
Who should not take mullein?
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding (no safety data).
What the authorities say
No regulator recognizes mullein as an effective respiratory treatment. Reviews describe the evidence as mostly traditional and preclinical (Gupta et al., 2022).
What to know about mullein
Mullein’s respiratory reputation comes from tradition and lab studies, not human lung trials. Anyone with ongoing breathing problems needs a medical assessment.
Frequently asked questions about Mullein
Is mullein good for the lungs?
It is a traditional cough remedy, and lab studies show anti-inflammatory activity, but we found no human trials testing oral mullein for lung function or breathing.
What human research exists on mullein?
Two Israeli trials used naturopathic ear drops containing mullein with garlic, calendula and St John's wort in olive oil for ear pain in children with ear infections. Those results don't apply to swallowed mullein.
Is mullein safe?
As a tea it is generally considered low risk. Leaf hairs can irritate the throat, so traditional teas are strained well.
References
- [1]Gupta A et al. — Health-promoting and disease-mitigating potential of Verbascum thapsus L. (common mullein): A review (Phytother Res, 2022)
- [2]Sarrell EM et al. — Efficacy of naturopathic extracts in the management of ear pain associated with acute otitis media (Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, 2001)
- [3]Sarrell EM et al. — Naturopathic treatment for ear pain in children (Pediatrics, 2003)
Products we reviewed containing Mullein
Based on recorded labels or seller-described formulas. Inclusion does not establish a match to the strains, preparations or amounts studied here; check each review's disclosure limits.