Wild Edible & Medicinal Plants

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Mullein's fuzzy, green-gray rosettes of leaves and tall spikes of yellow flowers make it easy to identify.

In the first year, it produces a basal rosette of large furry leaves and a substantial crown. In the second year, it produces a flowering stem with yellow flowers.

How to harvest ~ For medicinal uses it is said it is best to use the first year’s growth. The plant has yet to use any energy to grow flowers or seeds.

Only take one of two leaves from each plant, roots can only be harvested with the land owner’s permission.

Mullein flowers should be collected mindfully.

I personally collect the ones that have already closed or fallen onto the leafs. 

Verbascum is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects and other pollinators. It is a caterpillar food plant and has nectar/pollen rich flowers. 

It is the main food source of the Mullein Moth, another reason to harvest sustainably.

The Romans brought lots of plants to England, Mullein being one of them.

Dried flower spikes, dipped in suet or tallow made for brilliant torches - this tradition goes as far back as Roman times. The Greeks and others later used the leaves as lamp wicks, as the down on the leaves, when dry, was excellent tinder. Prior to the introduction of cotton for wicks, this was a substitute - hence the common name "Candlewick Plant." Another name is “Hag’s Taper” referring to a superstition that witches used it for illumination in their incantations. Quaker ladies who could not use cosmetics were said to rub the leaves on their cheeks to make them red, resembling rouge. The effect would last for a while, however it unfortunately was a reddening caused by the irritation of the skin from the barbed hairs on the leaves.

Mullein seeds contain rotenone which is a fish poison that cause parlysis in fish and the fish will float to the surface of the water.

this information is only useful if you’re genuinely in a survival situation.

A parent plant produces 100,000-180,000 seeds. Seeds germinate in water and open soil–and can lie dormant in the soil for decades–more than 100 years!!!–before germinating. One study in Denmark involved successfully germinating common mullein seeds of an archaeological soil sample dated to 1300 A.D.

The leaves and flowers are used for medicinal purposes. The leaves - contain a large concentration of mucilage that can make a demulcent - a substance that softens mucous membranes - and have emollient and astringent properties. Decoctions and infusions were used to allay coughs, particularly the hacking cough of consumption.

The flowers contain gum, a resin, a glucoside, phosphoric acid and a volatile oil. An infusion of the flowers was a remedy for catarrhs, colic, etc. An oil was produced from the flowers and Mullein oil was used for earache and discharge from the ear. The fresh flowers steeped for 21 days in olive oil were said to make a bactericide. Extracts of Mullein show strong anti-inflammatory activity in lab tests.

In Europe dried leaves were smoked in ordinary pipes to relieve irritation of mucus membranes. The Choctaw Indians of North American reportedly used it similarly. Mullein Tea was also made, but like any other use of the leaves in a liquid, it must be strained to remove any of the leaf hair that may be in the liquid as the barbs on the end of the hair would be extremely irritating if ingested.

How I use Mullein:

Mullein Tea ~ A tea made from fresh or dried Mullein leaf is fantastic for mucusey /chesty cough. Be sure to strain the tea through some muslin cloth to deal with the fine hairs on the the leafs.

I have also given it to my step dad for his COPD and he is able to walk a lot further after drinking the tea or smoking the Mullein leaf.

For my young children I pop the Mullein chopped, into some water and as it heats up I hold my children over the pan for them to inhale the steam. It works brilliantly.

Cough syrup ~ A strong tea made from the flowers of Mullein and the leaf, strained and then mixed with an equal amount of honey makes for an effective cough syrup.

Ear oil ~ Mullein flowers with olive oil prove for a good cabinet staple especially if like me your children go swimming.

Fire torches ~ Over the last year I have made several fire torches from dried seed heads. 

I find they make for a unique gift, at Christmas or any big celebrations. I myself like to burn them on the Solstice’s and the equinoxes whilst watching the sun set.

I collect the dried seed heads from November through to the first frost’s as and when I find them. I only take from places that have several seed heads in one spot and I only take 2 seed heads out of every 10. I give the seed heads a really good shake before I leave with them.

I use beeswax and flowers that I have collected and dried throughout the year…

I lay my dried Mullein rod over some parchment paper on a baking try and then spoon over melted beeswax whilst adding dried flowers.

Don’t waste any beeswax that has dripped onto your parchment paper. Once cool you can  save it for next time.

A big torch can burn for over an hour, I always burn my torches near water unless it’s mid ~ winter and there is less risk of fire. If you make these, please be thoughtful of fire risk!

There’s a video showing how I make the Mullein torches here on YouTube…

https://youtu.be/CAW3L0ovA70?si=uNyihxajMSkK4RmF

Nettles are packed full of calcium, iron, vitamins A, B and C, they also have a good amounts of protein and zink.

Over 40 different insects rely on the humble nettle, fresh shoots provide food for ladybirds 🐞 

Aphids like nettles and those same aphids provide food for small woodland bird’s 🌲🌳

Certain moths like nettles and so do many of our butterflies, especially the tortoiseshell and peacock butterflies.

That’s why it is very important to check the underside of the nettles before picking, checking for any ladybird larvae or butterfly eggs.  🐛 

In the summer the seeds provide food for many birds such as sparrows, chaffinch and bullfinches therefore it’s mindful to harvest your seeds in situ.

Only pick from area’s where you can find it in abundance and only collect a small amount for personal use. 

In English folklore nettles were used as protection against Elvin shot (mysterious pains in humans or animals caused by arrows of the Fae)

In Celtic lore thick stands of nettles indicate that there’s fairies near by. 🧚‍♀️ 🧚🧚🏿‍♂️

There’s soo many different uses for nettles, they’re more nutritious than spinach and I often pop a load of boiled nettles into my little ones pasta dishes. 

I often save some of the blanched nettles to add with other ingredients to a hedgerow pesto.

The seeds are also an a amazing ingredient, I often make nettle seed energy bars or throw some on top of my porridge/yoghurt.

My all time favourite thing to make with nettles is cake…It’s bright green, tastes nothing like nettles and always go down well on my foraging walks as an introduction to the wonders of wild food.