By Isabelle Nunn, Head Nutritionist

The Link Between Mullein and its role in Immunity and Seasonal Allergies

Also referred to as Verbascum Thapsus L, the Mullein plant has traditionally been used over the years for its soothing nature. A medicinal herb indigenous to northern Africa, can now be found all over Europe, in temperate Asia and in Northern America. Mullein is well known for its use in general lung, skin and throat disorders and has a long history of therapeutic importance, particularly as an astringent and calming agent.

What does the research tell us?

  • Assays performed on the plant, have shown that its leaves in particular contains botanical compounds such as Flavonoids, Saponins, Tannins, Terpenoids, Glycosides, Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats and Fixed oils.
  • Mullein contains around 3% of mucilage which is thought to be responsible for its soothing action. This can be particularly useful for irritated membranes of the upper respiratory tract when suffering from chestiness, sore throats, a cough, bronchitis and asthma.

You may want to read this to understand further about  asthma

The demulcent and expectorant properties of Mullein help to loosen and remove excess mucus in the respiratory system while also reducing inflammation. With regards to asthma, research suggests that the anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties of Mullein may help the muscles relax during an asthma attack whilst also opening the bronchial tubes.

  • Some of valuable constituents are Coumarin and Hesperidin, which have shown to provide a healing nature.
  • Compounds such as Rutin, Hesperidin, and Quercetin found within the leaf, exert natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Do any of those phytonutrients found within Mullein Leaf help support Seasonal Allergies?

  • Emerging research looking into the antioxidant Hesperidin, showed that it can help reduce the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, hay fever, sinusitis amongst other things. Hesperidin is a bioflavonoid found in biological assays performed on Mullein.
  • Antioxidant phytochemicals found in Mullein have been thought to help support a reduction in the allergic potential of an individual experiencing the symptoms of hay fever and associated irritated, itchy eyes.

Read further about Symptoms of hayfever here.

  • Consuming a diet that is rich in Vitamin C and its antioxidant bioflavonoids (Hesperidin, Rutin, Quercetin) may be beneficial while taking Mullein. Research shows that consuming those bioflavonoids may actually help the body in absorbing more vitamin C. Vitamin C containing foods include broccoli, strawberries, peppers, kiwis and oranges amongst others.

 

You can also obtain vitamin C through a blend such as Organic Traditions Antioxidant Blast or Organic Traditions Beet Latte

  • Mullein was found to contain small amounts of Quercetin, another bioflavonoid that supports a healthy inflammatory response and regulates histamine production. Histamine is associated with hay fever symptoms.

Although research is still being undertaken on Mullein and its plant components, there is no harm in trying it out, along with a diet rich in Omega 3 fats, Vitamin C containing foods, plenty of Fibre for good gut health and immunity.

Supporting our immune system can help build our resilience to not only colds and recurrent infections but also to allergens and their reactions. These may help ease those niggling hay fever symptoms you may experience

This is what you need in your rescue cabinet for the winter and spring! Nature's Answer Mullein Leaf

Why Choose Nature’s Answer Mullein?

Nature’s Answer brings you Mullein leaf, a botanical that has stood the test of time, in their unique alcohol- and gluten-free, concentrated, dried herbal extract, so you can experience the benefits that have been enjoyed by others for hundreds of years.

Being in a liquid form, it provides fast and efficient absorption.

Bio-Chelation® is a proprietary herb-friendly, cold-extraction technique that was exclusively developed by Nature’s Answer. This enables all the raw plant parts to be extracted intact, without the use of harsh solvents or heat commonly used by other brands. All the natural plant constituents can be maintained, thus enabling the herb to keep its Holistic Balance® intact.

Nature’s Answer is family owned and operated and has a proud tradition of providing the highest quality and purity ingredients in every product since 1972.

Read more about the brand here Nature's Answer Story

Research

  • Ashutosh Gupta et al. (2002) Phytotherapy Research: Health – promoting and disease-mitigating potential of Verbascum Thapsus L. (Common mullein): A review.

Health‐promoting and disease‐mitigating potential of Verbascum thapsus L. (common mullein): A review - Gupta - 2022 - Phytotherapy Research - Wiley Online Library

  • Riaz, M. and Jaafar, Hze (2013):Common mullein, pharmacological and chemical aspects.Rev Bras Farmacogn 23 (2013):948-959 

Common mullein, pharmacological and chemical aspects | Elsevier Enhanced Reader

Review Biotechnol Adv

  •  2014 Nov 1;32(6):1065-76. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2014.07.001. Epub 2014 Jul 15.