Mullein scepeter-like (high)

Verbascum thapsiforme Schrad.

Botanical characteristics. The family is nomadic. Biennial plant up to 2 m in height. Stalk straight, solitary, covered with light gray or light yellow pubescence. Leaves opposite, at the margin jagged, pointed at the apex, arranged spirally. Yellow flowers on the top of the stem form a dense spicate inflorescence. Blossoms from June to September. Fruits - egg-shaped boxes - ripen in August-September.
In the first year the plant forms a root rosette of leaves, blooms and fruiting - for the second year.

Spread. It grows in the middle and southern parts of the European part of our country, in Western Siberia and in Central Asia. Prefers sandy places - edges of pine forests, wastelands, slopes, roads. For medical purposes, the mullein is planted on plantations.

Used parts of the plant. Corolla of flowers.
Flowers contain sugar (up to 11%), mucus, glycosides (saponins), flavonoids, a little essential oil, gum, coumarin, colorants and glycoside aucubine.

Application. Due to the expectorant, emollient and enveloping effect, which is associated with the saponins and mucus contained in the flowers.
In folk medicine, the infusion from the flowers' corona is prescribed for bronchial, pulmonary and bronchial asthma. It is also recommended for inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and bile ducts.
Infusion of flower plants are used as an external emollient in the form of compresses and poultices. Flowers alone or in mixture with other plants in the form of infusion are used to rinse the throat, for enemas, irrigation and baths with exudative diathesis. The head is washed away with decoction in baldness and seborrhea.

Preparation. 2-3 tablespoons of herbs in the evening brew 0.5 liters of boiling water in a thermos. The next day, take infusion in 3 divided doses for 20-30 minutes before meals.

In homeopathy apply Verbascum 3x, 3, 6 with inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract, accompanied by a deaf and hard cough, hoarseness of the voice. It is indicated for neuralgia of the facial nerve, chronic cystitis and constipation.