Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.): recent advances in research

Abstract

Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.) is a medicinal plant readily found in roadsides, meadows and pasture lands and has been used to treat pulmonary problems, inflammatory diseases, asthma, spasmodic coughs, diarrhoea and migraine headaches. Although it has been used medicinally since ancient times, the popularity of common mullein has been increasing commercially for the past few years. Today, the dried leaves and flowers, swallow capsules, alcohol extracts and the flower oil of this plant can easily be found in health stores in the United States. The use of common mullein extracts in folk medicine begun recently to be supported by an increasing number of research studies. This paper thoroughly reviews all the scientific research related to Verbascum thapsus L. including plant tissue cultures and the biological properties of this plant.

Antimicrobial Activity of Aqueous-Alcoholic Extracts and the Essential Oil of Verbascum thapsus L.

“…These results clearly indicated that the alcoholic extracts of V. thapsus were able to inhibit the growth of some pathogenic bacteria; however, the effectiveness varied against the different microorganisms tested. The findings of the present study confirmed the reported results of some other investigations insofar as some Verbascum species contain substances with antimicrobial properties (17,18). Some studies have been conducted on the antimicrobial properties of several Verbascum species extracts (16,(19)(20)(21)(22).…”

Bioassay-guided isolation of anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and wound healer glycosides from the flowers of Verbascum mucronatum Lam.

“…The generic name of this plant, Verbascum, is believed to be a corruption of barbascum, from the Latin barba, meaning a beard, referring to the shaggy appearance of the genus. These plants are known as "sıgırkuyrugu" in Anatolia (Ucar Turker and Gurel, 2005). The leaves and flowers of Verbascum are reported to have expectorant, mucolytic and demulcent properties which are used to treat respiratory disorders such as bronchitis, dry coughs, tuberculosis and asthma in traditional Turkish medicine.…”

Cholinesterase Inhibitory and Antioxidant Properties of Verbascum mucronatum Lam. and its Secondary Metabolites

“…A decoction of leaves can be used as heart stimulant and a decoction of roots to alleviate toothache and also to relieve cramps, convulsions, and migraines. The leaves, roots, and fl owers have also anodyne, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, emollient, nervine, vulnerary, analgesic, antihistaminic, anticancer, antioxidant, antiviral, bactericide, cardiodepressant, oestrogenic, fungicide, hypnotic, and sedative activities (Ucar Turker and Gurel, 2005).…”