Mullein or (Verbascum thapsus) for Respiratory Problems

As a child,  I would call this plant sheeps' ears due to the velvety, fuzzy texture of the leaves.  It was many years after I used Mullein as a tea that I finally realized that this was the plant.  Often found in disturbed soils or growing up through the cracks of cement, this weedy rosette is a hardy plant that grows a long "wand" spiked with yellow flowers which can also be used.  The yellow flowers are commonly used to infuse olive oil to make a Mullein oil that is a bactericide useful in the event of swimmer's ear or earaches.  Just use one drop in the ear to alleviate pain.

Feeling a little under the weather and are couch bound?

 Mullein is exceptionally useful for dry, hacking coughs.  In the not-so-far past, I remember working in Midtown and contracting, along with everyone else in the office, a nasty case of bronchitis. It hung in for a long time despite antibiotics and various over the counter cough syrups.  It wasn't until I started drinking Mullein daily that it finally went away.  Ever since,  I have had a supply of dried Mullein on hand to make a strong infusion.  It is my first choice for respiratory complaints of any sort.  (See a National Library of Medicine and Institute of Health study here).  Here are the properties of Verbascum thapsus aka Mullein:

-Expectorant
-Demulcent
-Mild diuretic
-Mild sedative, especially the seeds
-Vulnerary, expedites healing
-Anti inflammatory

It even looks like a lung!

An easy way to dry herbs is by hanging them from a line, in this case, the north side windows of the house.  This single, big leaf was enough to make a small pot for myself.  However, to make an infusion, you will need to pack a jar or tea pot filled with leaves and cover with hot water, seeping overnight for a stronger brew.  Today, I decided on a strong, hot tea for such a cold day.  It turns out that my Meyer lemon tree is growing some lemons, so I added a squeeze to my pot of tea.

I am delighted about seeing such sunshine yellow lemons against a snowy, wintery February backdrop (It's been a long winter).  Although my lemon tree is only about 18 inches tall, it has three lemons growing…Yay!

But I digress..

From Mrs. Maude Grieve's A Modern Herbal, we learn an interesting antidote:

"Both in Europe and Asia the power of driving away evil spirits was ascribed to the Mullein. In India it has the reputation among the natives that the St. John's Wort once had here, being considered a sure safeguard against evil spirits and magic, and from the ancient classics we learn that it was this plant which Ulysses took to protect himself against the wiles of Circe."

So I leave you with this wonderful image from LivingFoodLove website on using your Mullein wand for courage and protection…from those pesky bacteria and viruses that cause so many respiratory problems.  Shoo!

Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis- Antiviral, Nervine

Lemon balm or Melissa officinalis, was truly my first green ally.  I had a plant growing in my Brooklyn apartment and it was one of the few that could make it there with limited light and sporadic waterings (yes, I was a negligent plant owner in my 20's).  I loved it though, especially how it had such a resilient nature to keep coming back.  If you rub the underside of the leaves, they emit a lovely lemony scent a bit reminiscent of lemon polish but more refreshing.  Long known as a calming herb, lemon balm has a number of medicinal uses.  My favorite- as a nervine, for mild depression or anxiety.  It is also an antiviral herb, so it is great to use when plagued with a nasty cold or other virus.  This is one of the herbs I would use as a tea or infusion and give to my toddler with warm milk in her bottle when she had a cold as well.  However a tincture, oil or salve can be made for various uses.  The potency is best with the fresh herb, since the dried herb doesn't retain it's essential oils for very long.  Nevertheless, the dried herb can be used as well with good results.   A nice link to some research using it as an antiviral can be found at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

So here is the laundry list of wonderful attributes to this member of the mint family:

- Carminative,  helps with gas in the GI tract, colic, hiccups

- Diaphoretic,  induces sweating

- Febrifuge, reduces fever

- Nervine,  for anxiety, depression, hiccups, nervous tummy, migraine headaches.  Shown in studies to reduce anxiety in Alzheimer's patients

- Antiviral,  for colds, cold sores, flus, herpes simplex virus, other viruses

- Anti inflammatory, another study by the NIH on it uses as such as seen here.

Bee keepers know that bees love this herb and they rub it on hives to attract new bees and keep the old ones there.

Lemon Balm lavender flowers in bloom

Lemon balm is one of the main ingredients in Carmelite water, which was invented in 1611 by Carmelite monks in Paris who called it "Eau de Carmes".  It was used as a perfume, toilet water and cordial.  A recipe for Carmelite water is as follows:

• 1 1⁄41 1⁄4 cups vodka
• 33 tablespoons dried Angelica leaves, and stalks
• 33 tablespoons dried lemon balm leaves
• 11 tablespoon coriander seed, bruised
• 11 nutmeg, cut into strips
• 22 tablespoons cloves
• a cinnamon stick

You make this as you would a tincture, packing all the ingredients in a jar and them topping off with the vodka.  Close the jar tightly and store in a dark, cool place.  Wait three weeks until using.

Paracelsus dubbed this plant the "elixir of life" and gave his recipe for primum end melissae.  Maybe it is one we should be using more often.  To life!

Elderberry and The Old Moon or the Full Snow Moon

Welcome, snow and moon so bright!   The Full Snow Moon will shine tonight!

A Trip to the Moon, by George Milies

Here we are in the month of February and the ground is covered in deep snow.  I have to remind myself to be diligent about taking all the infusions, tinctures and salves that I have made for just this month.  Many people get run down this time of year, with the lack of fresh vegetables, less time spent in the sun and energy being taxed by shoveling snow and staying warm.  So we start this feature with one of my favorites- Sambucus nigra and Sambucus canadensis.    Elderberry to the rescue!   Shown to lessen the duration of the flu as well as a preventative against the influenza virus, the elderberry plant is a must have for every yard and park.  (See here for an NIH study). In North America, the Sambucus canadensis is the native species, so plant this one to provide nectar and food sources for beneficial insects, birds and butterflies. Elderberry bushes like moist soil in full to part shade.  They make an excellent option for rain gardens, are tolerant of clay soils and help with erosion control.

The berries show up end of August to beginning of September and are wonderful for making elderberry syrup and jams.

The flowers bloom here in Brewster, NY right around the summer equinox, in June.

A roadside shrub

Elderberry syrup is a wonderful way to thwart getting the flu (along with hand washing and good eating!) so here is one of my favorite recipes for the syrup:

Ingredients:

• ⅔ cup black elderberries

• 3 cups of water

• 2 T fresh ginger root

• 1 tsp cinnamon powder

• ½ tsp cloves or clove powder

• ½ cup raw honey
• dash of ground nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Pour water into medium saucepan and add elderberries, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg (do not add honey or ginger root)
2. Bring to a boil and then cover and reduce to a simmer for about 35-40 minutes until the liquid has reduced by almost half. At that point, remove from heat and add the ginger root.  Let cool enough to be handled and for ginger to infuse the mixture, about 25 minutes. Pour through a strainer into a glass jar or bowl.
3.  Add  ½ cup of honey and stir well.
4. When honey is well mixed into the elderberry mixture, pour the syrup into a pint sized mason jar or 16 ounce glass bottle (I use an empty maple syrup bottle).   Take 2-3 T three days on followed by three days off unless you have the flu and are looking to shorten the duration; then take daily.  Children love the taste too- enjoy!

A backup for the cupboard.

Hoping to make a tincture with the dried elderberries?  Simply fill a mason jar 3/4 full with the elderberries.  Add 100 proof vodka, apple jack, brandy or grain alcohol and top off to fill the jar.  Close tightly and store in a dark, cool spot.  After a week, top off again with the alcohol that was absorbed and evaporated.  After a minimum of 6 weeks, the tincture is ready to be strained and used.  I usually let it steep for 3 months.  Take a dropper full in water, twice daily as a preventative.  To good health!