More than Just a Weed - the Great Mullein

Quite a while ago, I was walking outside in an old field with a friend. During our walk, we encountered this large leafy plant covered in a strange velvet "fuzz". My friend, who was a little amazed by this sight, stopped, stared, and said, "Wow, I never seen a plant like this before!" For him and for most people the Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) may look like a strange alien creature from another planet, especially when it grows up into a tall stalk during the mid-summer and displays its fuzzy leaves in every which way (see picture). But for others, it may be a common sight, especially if they live around well-drained soil and rocky areas. To them, the Mullein maybe nothing more than a nameless weed along with all the other weeds that crop up in old fields.

But the truth is, there's quite a story behind it. In fact, as a plant, it's far from being a useless weed and it has more uses beyond what most people would imagine. For instance, did you know that the entire plant can be harvested and each part of it can be used for medicinal purposes? Its leaves, for instance, can be seeped in hot water to make tea or even dried and smoked for respiratory ailments. Its yellow flower, which blossom during the mid to late summer, can in turn be harvested to make a special oil to treat earaches. In addition to all this, the root of the Great Mullein can be made into a decoction to treat cramps and convulsions.

Did you also know that the leaves of this native European plant have been used in the past to warm the feet of early settlers during winter months by stuffing them into their shoes? In fact, the Great Mullein, also known as Jacob's Rod and Velvet Dock, was believed to be a potent plant capable of warding off witches. All this is pretty unique for such a weird looking "weed"!

In the area that I live (North Jersey), the Great Mullein grows all over the place-in any rocky field, on the side of roads, and even in construction sites. But its territory spans the entire world, especially in various portions of North America. After stopping with my friend to look at the young Mullein, I remember saying how surprised I was that he never noticed the plant before, since it grew all around the area where we lived. But thinking back now, I'm very glad that he stopped and noticed this wonder of a plant. Because if he didn't, I probably wouldn't have written this article at all to help those who would've done the same thing!