Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) Research

Latin Name: Verbascum thapsus

Family: Scrophulariaceae

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represents a compilation of scientific articles found on the species, with a very brief overview description of each article/study. Research found is catalogued by therapeutic action. This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use.

GENERAL

• ACHS (2017).  Course Material: Herb502: Mullein Monograph.  www.achs.edu
• Natural Standard (2015).  Mullein Monograph.  www.naturalstandard.com
• This article provided a review of the medicinal uses of mullein.  From:  Turker, A. U., & Gurel, E. (2005). Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.): recent advances in research. Phytotherapy Research, 19(9), 733-739.
• Mullein has been used since the Middle Ages.  It was taken as a tea for respiratory problems, or made into a poultice for wounds, burns, and topical infections.  Today, it is a respected herb for respiratory complaints.  From: Weil, A., et al. (2010).  National Geographic Guide to Medicinal Herbs.  National Geographic.  Washington D.C.

​​SAFETY

• Mullein seeds are toxic.  From: Weil, A., et al. (2010).  National Geographic Guide to Medicinal Herbs.  National Geographic.  Washington D.C.

SKIN  HEALING

• Various skin disorders could be treated with this mullein infusion.  From:  Williams, J. L. (2001). U.S. Patent No. 6,171,593. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
• Verbascum mucronatum (mullein) showed antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and wound healing activities in rodents.  From:  Akdemir, Z., Kahraman, Ç., Tatlı, I. I., Akkol, E. K., Süntar, I., & Keles, H. (2011). Bioassay-guided isolation of anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and wound healer glycosides from the flowers of Verbascum mucronatum Lam. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 136(3), 436-443.
• Verbascum species demonstrated remarkable wound healing activity, verifying folk use of the plant.  From:  Süntar, I., Tatlı, I. I., Akkol, E. K., Keleş, H., Kahraman, Ç., & Akdemir, Z. (2010). An ethnopharmacological study on Verbascum species: From conventional wound healing use to scientific verification. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 132(2), 408-413.

​ANTIBACTERIAL / ANTIFUNGAL

• Mullein plant extract showed antibacterial activity to a variety of tested bacteria.  From:  Turker, A. U., & Camper, N. D. (2002). Biological activity of common mullein, a medicinal plant. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 82(2), 117-125.
• A lactone from the roots of Verbascum undulatum exhibited antibacterial activity.  From:  Magiatis, P., Spanakis, D., Mitaku, S., Tsitsa, E., Mentis, A., & Harvala, C. (2001). Verbalactone, a New Macrocyclic Dimer Lactone from the Roots of Verbascum undulatum with Antibacterial Activity. Journal of natural products, 64(8), 1093-1094.
• Verbascum olympicum, Verbascum prusianum, and Verbascum bombyciferum showed antimicrobial activity against gram positive bacteria and yeasts.  From: Dülger, B., Kirmizi, S., Arslan, H., & Güleryüz, G. (2002). Antimicrobial activity of three endemic Verbascum species. Pharmaceutical biology, 40(8), 587-589.
• Verbascum gypsicola (mullein) extracts had strong antimicrobial activity against gram positive bacteria and yeast,  lamb’s ear species were effective only against bacteria, and a sage species, Salvia aytachii demonstrated an effect against bacteria and yeast.  From:  Dulger, B., & Gonuz, A. (2004). Antimicrobial activity of some endemic Verbascum, Salvia, and Stachys species. Pharmaceutical biology, 42(4-5), 301-304.
• Acokanthera schimperi, Calpurnia aurea, Kalanchoe petitiana, Lippia adoensis, Malva parviflora, Olinia rochetiana, Phytolacca dodecandra and Verbascum sinaiticum showed varying degrees of antibacterial and antifungal activity against skin infections.  From:   Tadeg, H., Mohammed, E., Asres, K., & Gebre-Mariam, T. (2005). Antimicrobial activities of some selected traditional Ethiopian medicinal plants used in the treatment of skin disorders. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 100(1), 168-175.

​​COUGH

• Listed are herbs commonly used for cough suppression.  These herbs include: Acacia catechu, Acorus calamus, Adhatoda vasica, Allium sativum, Angelica archangelica, Astragalus membranaceus, Carum copticum, Lavandula angustifolia, Lobelia inflata, Salvia officinalis, Sambucus nigra, Tussilago farfara, Valeriana officinalis, Verbascum thapsus, and Zingiber officinale.  From:  Sultana, S., Khan, A., & Alhazmi, M. M. S. H. A. (2016). Cough Suppressant Herbal Drugs: A Review. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science Invention, 5(5), 15-28.

EAR PAIN

• Naturopathic ear drops containing allium sativum, verbascum thapsus, calendula flores, hypericum perfoliatum, lavender, and vitamin E in olive oil reduced ear pain in a double blind study of children.  From:  Sarrell, E. M., Cohen, H. A., & Kahan, E. (2003). Naturopathic treatment for ear pain in children. Pediatrics, 111(5), e574-e579.

​​ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

• Verbascum mallophorum showed anti-inflammatory activity by reducing the production of superoxide radicals and the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase.  From:  Speranza, L., Franceschelli, S., Pesce, M., Menghini, L., Patruno, A., Vinciguerra, I., … & Grilli, A. (2008). Anti-inflammatory properties of the plant Verbascum mallophorum. Journal of biological regulators and homeostatic agents, 23(3), 189-195.

​​ANTIOXIDANT

• Verbascum phlomoides showed antioxidant activity in vitro, likely related to iridoids and phenylethanoids.  From:  Grigore, A., Colceru-Mihul, S., Litescu, S., Panteli, M., & Rasit, I. (2013). Correlation between polyphenol content and anti-inflammatory activity of Verbascum phlomoides (mullein). Pharmaceutical biology, 51(7), 925-929.

​​PRESERVATIVE

• Acteoside isolated from mullein, a polyhydroxylated phenylpropanoid glycoside derivative, showed free radical scavenging activity and would be a useful food preservative against oxidative rancidity.  From: Aligiannis, N., Mitaku, S., Tsitsa-Tsardis, E., Harvala, C., Tsaknis, I., Lalas, S., & Haroutounian, S. (2003). Methanolic extract of Verbascum macrurum as a source of natural preservatives against oxidative rancidity. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 51(25), 7308-7312.

HYPOGLYCEMIC

• Leaves from mullein had an anti-diabetic effect in rats. From:  Pothamsetty, A., Janarthan, M., & Faheemuddin, M. (2017). Evaluation of Anti-Diabetic Activity of the Plant Leaves of Verbascum thapsus in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats. Int J Pharm Pharmacol 2017; 1, 118.

Compiled by: Kathy Sadowski

Updated: 2/13/19