Mullein is a wayside pasture plant easily recognized by its large, gray-green,
hairy leaves and tall flower spikes, rising from the ground almost like a stalk
of corn.
The flowers were once used to produce yellow-green dye, while the
leaves were used to insulate footwear and to make candle wicking. Because of the
high mucilage content of the leaf, mullein is commonly still used today to make
topical ointments, salves and skin creams. Mullein leaf is also used to make
herbal teas, syrups and throat lozenges.
