Mullein

• Latin name: Verbascum thapsus
• Folk or Common names: Velvet Leaves, Mule ears, White Mullein, Torches, Mullein Dock, Our Lady’s Flannel, Velvet Dock, Blanket Herb, Velvet Plant, Woollen, Rag Paper, Candlewick Plant, Wild Ice Leaf, Clown’s Lungwort, Bullock’s Lungwort, Aaron’s Rod, Jupiter’s Staff, Jacob’s Staff, Peter’s Staff, Shepherd’s Staff, Shepherd’s Clubs, Beggar’s Stalk, Adam’s Flannel, Beggar’s Blanket, Clot, Cuddy’s Lungs, Duffle, Feltwort, Fluffweed, Hare’s Beard, Old Man’s Flannel, and Hag’s Taper.
• Parts Used: leaves, flowers, seeds.
• Herbal usage: Mullein leaves are excellent to use to treat asthma – a fact not overlooked by pharmaceutical companies. The dried leaves are sometimes smoked in an ordinary tobacco pipe to relieve the irritation of the respiratory mucus membranes. Fomentations and poultices of the leaves have been found serviceable in treating hemorrhoids. Mullein is said to be of much value treating diarrhea. The flowers impart a yellow color to boiling water and was used by the Roman ladies of ancient times to dye their hair a golden color – ‘the golden floures of Mulleyn stiped in lye, causeth the heare to war yellow, being washed therewithall’. And according to another old recipe, the ashes of the plant made into a soap will restore hair which has become gray to its original color. The seeds of Mullein are said to intoxicate fish when thrown into the water, and are used by poachers for that purpose, being slightly narcotic.
• Magical History & Associations: Mullein is a plant of Jupiter and Saturn. It is associated with the element of Fire. And it is associated with Ulysses, since he took Mullein with him to protect himself against the wiles of Circe. Mullein is also associated with Witches in general. The d
• Magickal usage: Mullein burned will offer protection from sorcery. Both in Europe and Asia the power of driving away evil spirits has always been ascribed to Mullein. In India it has the reputation among the natives that the St. John’s Wort once had here, being considered a sure safeguard against’ evil spirits and hexing magic. the herb can also be used in exorcisms. It also has a place in magicks involving courage, general protection, health, love, and divination. Ground Mullein leave can be a good substitute for graveyard dust in spells. Mullein can be carried in an amulet bag to keep venomous beasts wild animals away from you when you are walking in the woods, camping, or back-packing (but it has no power over swamp monsters ). A Mullein amulet is also good to carry for courage. You can use Mullein as a candle substitute for candles (but do not light them) as a substitute for candles when performing magick outdoors where no lames can be lit. Mullein is an excellent herb to use for the cleansing of ritual and psychic places before and after working there. Mullein also can be used for cleansing and purifying ritual tools and altars.