Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a biennial herb that is known for its tall, striking appearance and medicinal properties. Here's a breakdown of what it looks like, where it grows, and its growing conditions:
Appearance:
- First Year: In its first year, mullein forms a rosette of large, soft, and velvety leaves, which can grow up to 30 cm long. The leaves are pale green or silvery-gray with a felt-like texture due to fine hairs on their surface.
- Second Year: In its second year, mullein sends up a tall, unbranched flowering stalk that can reach 1.5 to 2 meters in height. The leaves continue to grow along this stalk, becoming smaller toward the top.
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Flowers: Mullein produces small, bright yellow, five-petaled flowers that grow
densely in spike-like clusters along the upper portion of the stalk. The flowers bloom over a long period, with each one lasting only a day or two.
- Seeds: After flowering, it produces seed capsules filled with tiny, brown seeds.
Where It Grows:
- Mullein is native to Europe, northern Africa, and Asia, but it has naturalized in many parts of North America and Australia.
- It is often found in disturbed areas, such as roadsides, fields, pastures, and forest clearings. Mullein thrives in areas with poor or dry soils and is frequently seen in wastelands or areas with sandy, rocky, or gravelly ground.
Growing Conditions:
- Soil: Mullein can grow in a wide range of soil conditions, even poor, rocky soils.
- Sunlight: It thrives in full sun, although it can tolerate partial shade. Mullein prefers warm, sunny locations.
- Water: This herb is drought-tolerant and doesn't require a lot of water. It's well-adapted to dry, arid environments.
- Propagation: Mullein can be propagated by seeds, which are prolific and can remain viable in the soil for many years.
Mullein is valued for its medicinal properties, especially for respiratory issues, and has been used in traditional remedies for centuries. It’s a hardy, adaptable plant that’s often seen as a pioneer species in disturbed environments.
The Magickal Properties Of Mullein :
Mullein (Verbascum Thapsus):
Folk Names: Aaron’s Rod; Adam’s Flannel; Beggars Blanket; Beggar’s Stalk; Blanket Herb; Blanket Leaf; Candlewick Plant; Clot; Cuddy’s Lungs; Duffle; Feltwort; Fluffweed; Golden Rod; Graveyard Dust; Hag’s taper; Hare’s Beard; Hedge Taper; Jacob’s Staff; Jupiter’s Staff; Lady’s Foxglove; Mullein Dock; Old Man’s Fennel; Old Man’s Flannel; Our Lady’s Flannel; Peter’s Staff; Rag paper; Shepherd’s Clubs; Shepherd’s Herb; Shepherd’s Staff; Torches; Velvet Dock; Velvetback; Velvet Plant; White Mullein; Wild Ice; Woolen
Part Used: Whole Herb- Leaves, Roots and Flowers
Gender/ Energy: Saturn, Mars, Mercury (most resources say Saturn but others have said Mars & mercury)
Element: Fire
Deity: Jupiter
Daily Correspondence: Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday
Zodiac Signs: Capricorn, Gemini
Powers: Courage, Divination, Exorcism, Health, Love, Protection
Mullein has been used in Magick for quite some time. In fact, Mullein stalks were often dried and used as wicks in lamps, prior to the introduction of cotton wicks (thus one of its common names being ‘Candlewick Plant’). One of its other common names ‘Hag’s Taper’ stems from the superstition that many witches used to use Mullein stalks as wicks in their lamps and candles when performing rituals. Whether this was due to the magickal properties of Mullein, or simply because it is such good tinder when dry, it is hard to say.
Aside from its use as a flammable material, Mullein has a long history of use as a protective herb. It has also been said that Mullein was the herb of choice that Ulysses took to guard against the feminine charms of Circe.
Some of the magickal properties of Mullein include:
- Protection and Exorcism: Mullein has a long history of use in Europe and Asia as a protective herb. It is often placed above doors and windows in India to protect the home from evil spirits, demons and negativity in general. People also carry sachets of Mullein for the same reason.
- Guard Against Magic: Mullein is said to possess the power to protect an individual against magic used against them.
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Guard Against Wild Animals- It is said that carrying Mullein will help protect you against wild animals whilst hiking.
- Guards Against Colds- placing Mullein in your shoe is said to help guard against the common cold.
- Promotes Courage- Carrying Mullein is said to increase courage.
- Promotes Love- Carrying Mullein is said to promote feelings of love from suitors.
- Guards Against Nightmares- many of the protection herbs such as Mullein also have the property of protecting oneself against nightmares.
- Substitute for Graveyard Dust- Mullein can be used as a substitute in spells that require graveyard dust.
How To Use Mullein For Magick
- Hang dried Mullein above doors and windows to repel evil spirits from entering your home
- Use Mullein in healing spells- Mullein can be infused in oil and used to dress candles for healing spells, especially those performed on behalf of another.
- Protection Sachet- Carry a sachet of Mullein with you to guard against evil and negativity.
- Carry Mullein When Hiking- as an added protection against wild animals (please make sure this is not the only protection you have- I cannot vouch for the efficacy of the information given on this Mulleins use against wild animals).
- Wear to Instil Courage: place Mullein in a sachet and carrying it with you when you need some extra courage.
- Use in Candle Magic to Increase Courage- add Mullein to your candle dressing oil when performing spells designed to increase courage.
- Use in sleep pillows- Add dried Mullein to your sleep pillows or place some underneath your pillow to guard against nightmares.
- Use as a substitute for graveyard dust- Mullein is a suitable substitute for spells requiring the use of graveyard dust.
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Use as a substitute for candles- One suggestion for Mullein is to use the stalks as
a substitute for candles when lit candles cannot be used, such as in an open field. Use the stalks unlit as a representation of the candle, instead of using a physical candle.
- Dip in wax and use as a candle to increase the potency of your protection magic- Due to its fantastic burning ability, Mullein can be dipped in wax and used as a candle. This is a fantastic way to increase the potency of your protection spells and enhance the sympathetic magic of the spell work.
The Magickal benefits of this herb are not set in stone. These magickal benefits are from a Eurocentric viewpoint, as is my personal background and what I am familiar with.
*Mullein should not be worked with if you are allergic to either Mullein or Ragweed.
Do your own research before working with each ingredient always and consult sources from your own ancestral background. What is right for me in my situation, may be completely wrong for you.
Let us know what you think about this fantastic plant. Do you grow it? If so, what has been your experience with it? Do you use it for mundane purposes, magickal purposes, or both? We'd love to hear your experiences.
Please note: The author of this blog is not a medical professional & the information presented in this blog is solely for entertainment and informational purposes. No information contained within this bog is intended to serve as professional advice of any description. Please consult a healthcare professional if you are seeking treatment for any medical condition. If you choose to perform any type of self-treatment or follow advice off the internet you do so at your own risk.
If you are looking to purchase mullein products, check out what we have in stock here.
References:
Grieve, M., Mrs. (1978). A Modern Herbal (pp. 562-566). Penguin Books.
Kane, A. (2021). Herbal Magic (p. 134). Quarto US.
Nock, J. A. (2020). The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magickal Herbs (p. 123). Adams Media Corporation.