Scientific Name     Verbascum densiflorum, Verbascum phlomides, Verbascum thapiforme,  Other Common Names   Aaron's Rod, Adam's  Flannel, American Mullein, Beggar's Blanket, Blanket Herb, Blanket Leaf,  Bouillon Blanc, Bouillon Jaune, Candleflower,  

Verbascum thapsus  Family Scrophulariaceae                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |                                                                                                                                                                          Caution  

Mullein is sometimes called Aaron's rod; avoid confusion with Goldenrod, which is also known as Aaron's rod.

Mullein is a flowering plant found in temperate and subtropical mountain areas (92839, 92841). It is a biennial plant with leaves growing close to the ground and a flower stem reaching up to 2 meters in height (107875). Infusions made from mullein leaves and stems have been used in folk medicine for respiratory disorders and gastroenteritis (92839).  The leaves and flowers have also been used for respiratory conditions  by peoples of the Malakand region of Pakistan, and in traditional  Turkish medicine (92841).                                 

Possibly Unsafe  when the seeds are ingested. They are reported to be toxic (107875).   There is  insufficient reliable information available about the safety of mullein  leaf, flower, or root when used medicinally.                                                             

Information  regarding the adverse effects of mullein is limited. A thorough  evaluation of safety outcomes has not been conducted.

  Insufficient Reliable Evidence to Rate                                                                       

Although  there is interest in using oral mullein for asthma, there is  insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of mullein  for this condition.

Although  there is interest in using oral mullein for bronchitis, there is  insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of mullein  for this condition.

Although  there is interest in using oral mullein for cough, there is  insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of mullein  for this purpose.

Although  there is interest in using oral mullein for diarrhea, there is  insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of mullein  for this purpose.

Although  there is interest in using topical mullein for hemorrhoids, there is  insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of mullein  for this purpose.

Although  there is interest in using oral mullein for influenza, there is  insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of mullein  for this condition.

Although  there is interest in using oral mullein for migraine headache, there is  insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of mullein  for this condition.

Topical mullein has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.

Although  there is interest in using oral mullein for pneumonia, there is  insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of mullein  for this condition.

It is unclear if topical mullein is helpful for healing episiotomy wounds.

More evidence is needed to rate mullein for these uses.

All routes: Research is limited; typical dosing is unavailable.

A  mullein flower extract used to prepare a topical cream contained 60.13  mcg/mL gallic acid equivalents, and 20.64 mcg/mL rutin equivalents (107873).

 None known.

There is insufficient reliable information available about the presentation or treatment of overdose with mullein.

There is insufficient reliable information available about the pharmacokinetics of mullein.

The applicable parts of mullein are the flower, leaf, and root (92841).
The  flowers of mullein contain iridoid glycosides such as aucubin,  harpagide, and harpagoside, flavonoids including kaempferol, hesperidin,  verbascoside, apigenin, quercetin and rutin, phenylethanoid glycosides  such as verbascoside, triterpene saponins including thapsuines,  polysaccharides, phenolic acids, phytosterol glycosides and  digiprolactone. Polyphenolcarboxylic acids, with large concentrations of  caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and rosmarinic acid are also present (12703, 59405, 63943, 63944, 63945, 92840, 92841, 107875). Mullein also contains tannins, alkaloids, steroids, volatile oils, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats (92841, 107873, 107875).

Laboratory  research suggests that an aqueous methanolic extract of the aerial  parts of mullein can induce paralysis in adult roundworms (Ascaridia galli) and tapeworms (Raillietina spiralis), comparable to albendazole. Paralysis occurred faster with higher concentrations of the extract (92841).

Laboratory  research suggests that a mullein flower extract exhibits dose-dependent  free radical scavenging activity, likely related to the polyphenol  content, and also related to the caffeic, ferulic, and rosmarinic acids,  and quercetin and apigenin. It also inhibits tumor necrosis  factor-alpha induced intracellular adhesion molecule 1 at higher  concentrations. However, in animals with acute inflammation of the paw  induced by egg-white, giving the flower extract orally is ineffective.  It is suggested that extracts need to contain higher concentrations of  verbascoside, aucubin, and phenylethanoids to show anti-inflammatory  effects (92840).

Laboratory research suggests that various mullein species exhibit activity against strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Escherichia coli (12703, 63942).

Constituents  of mullein, including verbascoside, quercetin, apigenin, and caffeic,  ferulic, and rosmarinic acids, are thought to have antioxidant activity (63941, 92841).

Laboratory  research suggests that an aqueous methanolic extract of the aerial  parts of mullein produces a concentration dependent relaxation of  spontaneous contractions in dissected jejunum. This is possibly mediated  through actions on voltage sensitive L-type calcium channels (92841).

Laboratory  research suggests that a saponin glycoside isolated from mullein  flowers directly inactivates ribosomes, which may be beneficial in  inhibiting protein synthesis in tumor cells (59405).

Laboratory research suggests that mullein exhibits activity against Herpes simplex type 1 virus (1534, 12702, 63934, 63943). It may also have activity against influenza A and B (1534).

See Monograph References  

Literature Review Current Through: 5/18/2026, Last Updated: 7/4/2026

The contents of this resource are not  intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis,  or treatment. Clinical input is needed from a qualified healthcare  provider before taking any supplement or starting any therapy. Do not  delay or disregard seeking medical advice or treatment based on any  information displayed in this resource.