Safety and the use of Verbascum thapsus (Mullein) for common children’s conditions

Mullein for Children: Benefits, Uses, Safety, and What the Research Says

For generations, mullein (Verbascum thapsus) has been one of the most trusted herbs for coughs and respiratory illnesses. Herbalists have traditionally used it to soothe irritated airways, loosen mucus, calm persistent coughs, and support recovery from common respiratory infections. It is also a familiar ingredient in many herbal ear oils used to relieve ear pain.

Despite this long history of use, mullein has received surprisingly little attention from modern researchers. Compared to herbs like chamomile or peppermint, relatively few clinical trials have evaluated mullein in humans. That does not necessarily mean it is ineffective. Rather, it reflects a common challenge in herbal medicine research, where many traditionally used plants have simply never received the funding needed for large clinical studies.

When evaluating an herb like mullein, it is helpful to consider the entire body of evidence. This includes centuries of traditional use, our understanding of the plant’s active constituents, laboratory research, clinical experience, and the human studies that are available. Taken together, these sources suggest that mullein remains a valuable herb for supporting respiratory health, particularly in children.

What is mullein?

Mullein is a biennial flowering plant native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa that now grows throughout much of North America. It thrives in sunny, disturbed areas and is commonly found along roadsides, hiking trails, open fields, and vacant lots. During its second year of growth, it produces a tall flowering stalk that can reach six feet or more in height and is topped with bright yellow flowers.

The plant is easy to recognize because of its large, velvety leaves. In fact, many hikers jokingly refer to mullein as “nature’s toilet paper” because the leaves are so soft. While this may be an amusing fact, those fuzzy leaves also hint at one of the plant’s medicinal properties. They contain mucilage, a slippery substance that helps soothe irritated tissues throughout the body.

Mullein has been used medicinally for more than 2,000 years. Ancient Greek physicians recommended it for lung diseases, and it later became a staple of European herbal medicine. When early settlers arrived in North America, they brought mullein seeds with them for their medicinal gardens. Native American communities quickly adopted the plant as well, using it for sore throats, burns, bruises, ear problems, and other common ailments.

Today, herbalists continue to rely on mullein for many of the same reasons. Although scientific research has not yet caught up with its long history of traditional use, it remains one of the classic herbs for supporting respiratory health.

Why do herbalists use mullein for children?

Children experience respiratory infections frequently, particularly during the first several years of daycare and school. While most of these illnesses are caused by viruses and resolve on their own, the cough can linger for weeks, disrupting sleep for both children and their parents.

This is where mullein has traditionally played a role.

Rather than suppressing a cough, mullein is generally considered a soothing respiratory herb. Herbalists often describe it as a demulcent and mild expectorant. In simple terms, this means it may help coat irritated mucous membranes while also encouraging the movement of mucus out of the lungs.

Not every cough should be suppressed. Coughing is one of the body’s most important defense mechanisms because it helps clear mucus, viruses, bacteria, and debris from the airways. The goal is often not to stop the cough completely, but to make it more productive and less irritating.

Many herbalists also appreciate mullein because it is a relatively gentle herb. Unlike stronger expectorants that may stimulate coughing quite aggressively, mullein tends to support the body’s normal clearance of mucus while simultaneously soothing inflamed tissues.

Although respiratory support is its best-known use, mullein has also traditionally been used for sore throats, mild hoarseness, ear discomfort, and irritated skin.

Mullein for coughs and respiratory infections

If there is one reason most parents have heard of mullein, it is because of its reputation for treating coughs.

For centuries, herbalists have recommended mullein for bronchitis, lingering coughs after viral infections, and irritation of the upper respiratory tract. Early naturopathic physicians such as Sebastian Kneipp and Benedict Lust frequently described mullein as one of their preferred herbs for chest congestion, excess mucus, and sore throats.

Interestingly, modern clinical research has not kept pace with this traditional use.

There are currently very few human clinical trials evaluating mullein specifically for coughs or respiratory infections. This often surprises people because mullein is probably one of the most commonly recommended respiratory herbs by herbalists.

Fortunately, there are several reasons to believe its traditional use is biologically plausible.

Researchers have identified numerous compounds within mullein that possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity. Laboratory studies suggest that these constituents may reduce inflammation and inhibit the growth of certain bacteria and viruses, although these findings do not necessarily translate directly to children with respiratory infections.

One review published in Phytotherapy Research described mullein as having a broad range of potentially beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, analgesic, and soothing effects. These laboratory findings align remarkably well with the ways herbalists have used mullein for centuries, although much more human research is still needed.

In my own clinical practice, I most often consider mullein when a child has a lingering cough after a viral illness, particularly when the cough feels dry, irritated, or accompanied by mild chest congestion. I rarely use it by itself. Instead, it is commonly combined with other respiratory herbs such as thyme, marshmallow root, licorice, or elecampane, depending on the child’s symptoms. As with most botanical medicine, the combination is often more effective than any single herb alone.

Because respiratory symptoms can occasionally signal more serious conditions such as pneumonia or asthma, parents should always seek medical evaluation if a child has difficulty breathing, persistent high fever, chest pain, wheezing, or symptoms that are worsening rather than improving.

Can mullein help ear pain?

One area where mullein actually does have encouraging clinical research is ear pain.

Many natural ear oil preparations contain mullein flowers along with herbs such as garlic, calendula, and St. John’s wort. These formulations have been used for decades by naturopathic physicians to help relieve the pain associated with acute ear infections.

Several randomized clinical trials have found that herbal ear drops containing mullein provided pain relief that was comparable to conventional anesthetic ear drops. Interestingly, children using the herbal ear drops experienced improvement whether or not they were also taking antibiotics.

It is important to understand what these studies showed. The herbal ear drops helped reduce pain. They were not shown to cure bacterial ear infections or replace antibiotics when antibiotics are medically necessary.

Parents should also never place anything into the ear canal if there is concern for a ruptured eardrum, ear drainage, or recent ear surgery. If your child has significant ear pain, fever, or hearing changes, they should be evaluated by a healthcare professional before using herbal ear preparations.

Is mullein safe for children?

Mullein has a long history of traditional use and is generally considered a safe herb when used appropriately. Unlike many herbs that carry significant safety concerns in children, mullein has an excellent safety profile and few known side effects.

One important consideration, however, is the age of the child.

Some herbalists recommend waiting until infants are at least six months old before using mullein internally. This recommendation is based more on theoretical concerns than documented harm. Because mullein is traditionally used to loosen mucus, some practitioners worry that very young infants, who spend much of their time lying flat and have limited ability to sit upright or cough effectively, may have more difficulty clearing increased respiratory secretions. While there is little evidence that this occurs in practice, I generally reserve internal mullein preparations for babies who are older than six months and able to sit independently.

Another practical consideration involves the tiny hairs that cover the leaves. These fine hairs can be irritating if they are not removed during preparation. For this reason, mullein tea should always be strained carefully through a fine mesh filter, cheesecloth, or coffee filter before drinking. Commercial tinctures and herbal products are typically processed to remove these hairs.

One final point deserves mention. Historically, mullein seeds were sometimes used as a fish poison because they contain compounds that can stun fish. For this reason, the seeds are not used medicinally and should not be consumed. Fortunately, the leaves and flowers used in herbal medicine do not carry this concern.

Is mullein safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

According to several respected herbal safety references, mullein leaf and flower are generally considered compatible with both pregnancy and breastfeeding when used appropriately. There are no well-established contraindications or significant drug interactions associated with mullein.

One theoretical consideration is its high mucilage content. Like other mucilaginous herbs, mullein could potentially slow the absorption of oral medications if taken at exactly the same time. Although there is very little clinical evidence that this causes meaningful problems, it is reasonable to separate mullein from prescription medications by about two hours whenever possible.

As with any herbal medicine during pregnancy, it is always worth discussing herbal use with your obstetric provider, particularly if you have a high-risk pregnancy or are taking prescription medications.

How can parents use mullein?

Mullein is available in several different preparations, and the best choice depends on the condition you are hoping to treat.

Mullein tea

Tea is one of the most traditional ways to use mullein for coughs and throat irritation. The warm liquid itself can be soothing, while the herb may help calm irritated mucous membranes.

Because of the tiny hairs found on the leaves, homemade mullein tea should always be strained carefully before drinking. Many commercial tea bags contain primarily the flowers, which have fewer irritating hairs than the leaves.

Mullein tinctures

Liquid extracts are often the easiest option for children who are unwilling to drink herbal tea. Tinctures can be taken alone or mixed into a small amount of water or juice. As with all herbal medicines, dosing depends on the child’s age, weight, and the concentration of the product.

Herbal cough formulas

Although mullein can certainly be used by itself, herbalists rarely rely on a single herb when treating respiratory illnesses.

Depending on the child’s symptoms, mullein is commonly combined with herbs such as thyme, marshmallow root, licorice, elecampane, ivy leaf, or elderberry. Each herb contributes something different. Marshmallow helps soothe irritated tissues, thyme provides antimicrobial and antispasmodic effects, while elderberry may support the immune response during viral infections.

Choosing the right combination often produces better results than relying on one herb alone.

Mullein ear oil

Mullein flower oil is perhaps the best-known topical preparation.

It is commonly combined with garlic, calendula, or St. John’s wort in commercial herbal ear oils designed to help relieve ear pain associated with acute otitis media. These preparations should only be used when the eardrum is known to be intact. Parents should never place herbal oils into an ear that is draining fluid or blood, or if there is concern about a perforated eardrum.

What does the research actually show?

One of the most interesting things about mullein is the gap between its long history of traditional use and the amount of modern clinical research available.

For centuries, mullein has been recommended for coughs, bronchitis, sore throats, and chest congestion. Yet surprisingly few clinical trials have evaluated these traditional uses in humans. This is a common problem in botanical medicine. Many herbs have simply never received the funding required for large, high-quality clinical studies.

Instead, much of the research on mullein has focused on laboratory studies. Scientists have found that mullein contains numerous biologically active compounds with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and pain-relieving properties. These findings help explain why herbalists have relied on the plant for so long, even if they do not prove that it works the same way in children.

The strongest human evidence currently supports mullein-containing ear drops for relieving ear pain associated with acute otitis media. Beyond that, much of our confidence in mullein comes from the combination of traditional use, laboratory research, an excellent safety record, and decades of clinical experience among herbal practitioners.

This is an important reminder that evidence-based medicine is not limited to randomized clinical trials alone. Good clinical decision making considers the totality of the available evidence, including basic science, clinical research, practitioner experience, and patient preferences. For herbs like mullein, each of these pieces contributes to our understanding of when the herb is most likely to be helpful.

Frequently asked questions about mullein

Can children take mullein every day?

Mullein is generally considered safe for short-term use during an acute illness, such as a cold or lingering cough. If your child seems to need mullein every day for weeks or months, it is worth stepping back to ask why.

A chronic cough, persistent congestion, or recurrent respiratory symptoms deserve a thorough medical evaluation. Conditions such as asthma, allergies, gastroesophageal reflux, chronic sinusitis, or environmental irritants may all contribute to ongoing respiratory symptoms. While mullein may provide supportive relief, it should not replace identifying and treating the underlying cause.

Does mullein help pneumonia?

No herbal medicine should be used as a substitute for appropriate medical treatment of pneumonia.

Although mullein has traditionally been used to support respiratory health and laboratory studies suggest it has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, there is no clinical evidence that mullein treats pneumonia. Children with high fever, difficulty breathing, chest pain, low oxygen levels, or suspected pneumonia should be evaluated promptly by a healthcare professional.

That said, some practitioners may incorporate mullein into a broader treatment plan during recovery to help soothe lingering airway irritation after the acute infection has resolved.

Can mullein be taken with other herbs?

Yes. In fact, this is how it is most commonly used.

Herbalists frequently combine mullein with complementary herbs depending on the child’s symptoms. A dry, irritated cough might call for mullein alongside marshmallow root or licorice, while a productive cough with thick mucus may benefit from the addition of thyme or elecampane. Elderberry may be added early in a viral illness, while chamomile or lemon balm can be helpful for children who are having difficulty sleeping because of persistent coughing.

One of the strengths of botanical medicine is that herbs can often be combined thoughtfully to address several aspects of an illness at the same time.

Can I harvest mullein myself?

Mullein grows abundantly throughout much of North America, and many families enjoy learning to identify and harvest it. If you choose to gather your own plants, be certain that you have correctly identified the species and that it has not been exposed to roadside pollution, pesticides, herbicides, or other environmental contaminants.

The leaves and flowers are the parts most commonly used medicinally. As mentioned earlier, any tea prepared from the leaves should be carefully filtered to remove the tiny hairs before drinking.

If you are new to herbal medicine, purchasing products from a reputable manufacturer is often the simplest and safest option.

The bottom line

Mullein has earned its place as one of the classic respiratory herbs in Western herbal medicine. Although modern clinical research remains surprisingly limited, its long history of traditional use, favorable safety profile, and growing body of laboratory research all support its continued use as a gentle herbal medicine for children.

In my practice, I most often reach for mullein to help soothe lingering coughs after viral illnesses and as part of herbal ear oil preparations for children with ear pain. I rarely use it alone. Like many herbalists, I typically combine it with other herbs chosen specifically for the child’s symptoms, recognizing that botanical medicines often work best together rather than individually.

Parents should also remember that not every cough requires treatment. Coughing serves an important purpose by helping clear mucus and debris from the lungs. Rather than trying to suppress every cough, the goal is often to make the cough more comfortable and productive while supporting the body’s natural healing process.

As with any herbal medicine, mullein should be viewed as one tool among many. Good nutrition, adequate hydration, rest, appropriate medical care when needed, and careful attention to the underlying cause of a child’s symptoms remain the foundation of good pediatric care. Used thoughtfully, mullein can be a safe and valuable addition to your family’s natural medicine cabinet.

---

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Herbal medicines are not appropriate for every child and should never replace evaluation or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional. Always speak with your child’s healthcare provider before starting a new herbal medicine, especially if your child has a chronic medical condition, difficulty breathing, high fever, or is taking prescription medications.

References

1. Gupta A, Atkinson AN, Pandey AK, Bishayee A. Health-promoting and disease-mitigating potential of Verbascum thapsus L. (common mullein): A review. Phytother Res. 2022;36(4):1507-1522. doi:10.1002/ptr.7393

2. Varieties] of Mullein (Verbascum sp.), flûmûs [n.p.] (Gr: phlomos), i.e., bûdîn [right]; Wooly or Ethiopian Sage (Salvia aethiopis), aythûfis [n.p.] [left]. NYPL Digital Collections. Accessed February 6, 2024. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/5e66b3e8-85ca-d471-e040-e00a180654d7

3. De Vos P. European Materia Medica in Historical Texts: Longevity of a Tradition and Implications for Future Use. J Ethnopharmacol. 2010;132(1):28-47. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2010.05.035

4. Verbascum thapsus. Accessed February 2, 2024. https://rosebud.arts.ucsb.edu/~jevbratt/interlopings/writings/index.pl?18

5. Blanco-Salas J, Hortigón-Vinagre MP, Morales-Jadán D, Ruiz-Téllez T. Searching for Scientific Explanations for the Uses of Spanish Folk Medicine: A Review on the Case of Mullein (Verbascum, Scrophulariaceae). Biology (Basel). 2021;10(7):618. doi:10.3390/biology10070618

6. Common mullein-december_2016 – MSU Extension Invasive Plants | Montana State University. Accessed February 6, 2024. https://www.montana.edu/extension/invasiveplants/extension/monthly-weed-posts/2016_december.html

7. Osceola Naranjo L. The Native American Herbalist’s Bible.; 2021.

8. Czeranko S. Herbs in Naturopathic Medicine: In Their Own Words. NUNM Press; 2016.

9. Panchal MA, Murti K, Lambole V. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF VERBASCUM THAPSUS – A REVIEW. 5(2).

10. Mills S, Bone K. The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. 1st ed. Churchill Livingston; 2005.

11. Harkness R, Bratman S. Mosby’s Handbook of Drug-Herb and Drug-Supplement Interactions. Mosby Inc.; 2003.

12. Mullein: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, Dose & Precautions. RxList. Accessed February 6, 2024. https://www.rxlist.com/supplements/mullein.htm

13. Sarrell EM, Mandelberg A, Cohen HA. Efficacy of naturopathic extracts in the management of ear pain associated with acute otitis media. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2001;155(7):796-799. doi:10.1001/archpedi.155.7.796

14. Sarrell EM, Cohen HA, Kahan E. Naturopathic treatment for ear pain in children. Pediatrics. 2003;111(5 Pt 1):e574-579. doi:10.1542/peds.111.5.e574

15. Ali N, Ali Shah SW, Shah I, et al. Anthelmintic and relaxant activities of Verbascum Thapsus Mullein. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2012;12(1):29. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-12-29

16. Prakash V, Rana S, Sagar A. Studies on Antibacterial Activity of Verbascum thapsus.

17. Amber R, Adnan M, Tariq A, Mussarat S. A review on antiviral activity of the Himalayan medicinal plants traditionally used to treat bronchitis and related symptoms. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2017;69(2):109-122. doi:10.1111/jphp.12669

18. Kashan ZF, Arbabi M, Delavari M, Hooshyar H, Taghizadeh M, Joneydy Z. Effect of Verbascum thapsus ethanol extract on induction of apoptosis in Trichomonas vaginalis in vitro. Infect Disord Drug Targets. 2015;15(2):125-130. doi:10.2174/1871526515666150724114924

19. Fakhrieh-Kashan Z, Arbabi M, Delavari M, Mohebali M, Hooshyar H. Induction of Apoptosis by Alcoholic Extract of Combination Verbascum thapsus and Ginger officinale on Iranian Isolate of Trichomonas vaginalis. Iran J Parasitol. 2018;13(1):72-78.

20. Slagowska A, Zgórniak-Nowosielska I, Grzybek J. Inhibition of herpes simplex virus replication by Flos verbasci infusion. Pol J Pharmacol Pharm. 1987;39(1):55-61.