Learn how you can make mullein tea to help soothe your respiratory tract, break up excess mucus and support a productive cough during sickness.
Jump to Recipe![mullein leaf tea in a mug](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/How-to-Make-Mullein-Leaf-Tea-with-Fresh-and-Dried-Leaves-16-768x1024.jpg)
Mullein leaf tea is a great way to get over a cold or cough very quickly.
This tea has a very light, refreshing, and delicious taste.
I typically like enjoying this tea hot, but you can also let it cool and serve it with ice to make a refreshing iced tea, especially if you have a summer cold.
I personally find the flavor of mullein leaf tea quite delicious, but if you need a little flavor help, you can add some honey or a bit of lemon juice to taste.
If you have a sore throat adding honey or lemon juice can actually help boost the benefits of drinking mullein leaf tea.
After you start using this tea, you will find yourself stocking up on mullein leaves for the winter and cold season!
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What is mullein?
Mullein is commonly known as a weed, but has many uses as a medicinal plant.
Mullein (verbascum thapsus) is a biennial herbaceous plant, which means that mullein takes 2 years before it comes to full maturity.
The flowers of the mullein plant do not emerge until the 2nd year of the plants life.
If you are going to be using the leaves of the mullein plant, you should harvest them before the flowers show up in the 2nd year.
Mullein is in the Scrophulariaceae (or figworts) family.
Other common names include, flannel leaf, donkey’s ears, velvet plant, felt-wort, foxglove, Aaron’s rod, and tinder plant.
![dried mullein leaves in a mason jar](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/How-to-Make-Mullein-Leaf-Tea-with-Fresh-and-Dried-Leaves-3-1024x768.jpg)
Where can I find mullein?
You can find mullein plants all over the globe, excluding Antartica:).
Mullein, in general, grows well in very poor soil.
You can find it in neglected pastures and meadows, along roadsides, in the woods, on mountains, and in dry, sandy or rocky soils.
How to make mullein tea from fresh leaves
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons fresh mullein leaves, chopped
- 12 ounces water
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
Directions:
1. Add fresh mullein leaves to a heat-safe mug.
2. Boil water in a tea kettle or pot.
3. Pour the boiling water over the mullein leaves.
4. Let this steep for 5-10 minutes.
5. Strain out the mullein leaves and add honey if using and enjoy.
![](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/How-to-Make-Mullein-Leaf-Tea-with-Fresh-and-Dried-Leaves-5-1024x768.jpg)
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How to make mullein tea from dry leaves
Ingredients:
- 2-3 teaspoon dried mullein leaves, chopped
- 12 ounces water
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
Directions:
1. Add dry mullein leaves to a heat-safe mug.
2. Boil water in a tea kettle or pot.
3. Pour the boiling water over the mullein leaves.
4. Let this steep for 5-10 minutes.
5. Strain out the mullein leaves and add honey if using and enjoy.
![mullein leaf tea in a mug](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/How-to-Make-Mullein-Leaf-Tea-with-Fresh-and-Dried-Leaves-10-1024x768.jpg)
What else can you do with mullein
Although mullein known best for its lung support, you can also use it for many other things, including these issues:
- asthma
- bronchitis
- cough
- congestion
- ear infection
- insomnia
- inflammation
- migraine
- sore throat
To fight asthma, bronchitis, cough, congestion, sore throat, inflammation, insomnia, or a migraine, make and drink mullein leaf tea, use a mullein leaf tincture, or apply mullein leaf salve to the effected area. (Such as, rub mullein salve on your chest for lung issues or on your temples for a migraine.)
To fight earaches and ear infections, make an herbal ear oil like this recipe here.
How to harvest and dry mullein leaves for tea
To dry mullein leaves, start by picking mullein leaves from mullein plants that have not yet started blooming.
Pick only the whole, fairly clean leaves.
Wash the leaves under running water, and pat them dry with a paper or tea towel.
![a woman washing mullein leaves in a strainer](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/How-to-Make-Mullein-Oil-for-Earaches-and-Ear-Infections-2-1024x768.jpg)
![a woman patting dry mullein leaves with a towel](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/How-to-Make-Mullein-Oil-for-Earaches-and-Ear-Infections-4-1024x768.jpg)
You can leave the leaves whole, or chop them into small pieces at this point.
Place a paper towel on a plate or sheet pan and spread the clean mullein leaves on the paper towel.
Let these dry, stirring every or every other day until they are dry. This should take between 5-7 days depending on if you chopped the leaves.
![dried mullein leaves on a baking sheet](https://homelifeonadime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/How-to-Make-Mullein-Leaf-Tea-with-Fresh-and-Dried-Leaves-1-1024x768.jpg)
You can also try any of these methods to dry your mullein leaves.
![mullein leaf tea in a mug](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/How-to-Make-Mullein-Leaf-Tea-with-Fresh-and-Dried-Leaves-16-360x361.jpg)
Mullein Leaf Tea
Ingredients
Mullein Tea with Fresh Leaves
- 2 tbsp mullein leaves fresh, chopped
- 12 oz water
- 1 tsp honey optional
Mullein Tea with Dried Leaves
- 2-3 tsp mullein leaves dried, chopped
- 12 oz water
- 1 tsp honey optional
Instructions
- Add mullein leaves (fresh or dried) to a heat-safe mug.
- Boil water in a tea kettle or pot.
- Pour the boiling water over the mullein leaves.
- Let this steep for 5-10 minutes.
- Strain out the mullein leaves and add honey if using and enjoy.
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Other posts you may be interested in
How to Make Mullein Tea for Earaches and Ear Infections
Medicinal Benefits and How to Use Mullein Leaves
How to Dry Herbs Three Ways Without a Dehydrator
7 Amazing Reasons You Should be Using Stinging Nettles
Have you tried making mullein tea?
Did it help clear your lungs? Do you enjoy the flavor of mullein leaf tea? Let us know what you think of it in the comments!
Thank you for this posting… Just found some of this growing in our pasture and unfortunately it is just starting to bloom. According to your instructions, the leaves must be harvested prior to th plant blooming during it’swnd year?. Is it possible to harvest the leaves of the 1st year plant or possibly use the flowers? Thank you much
Hi Leigh,
Yes you can use the leaves from a first year mullein plant, and you can also use the flowers after it has flowered. The medicinal benefits in the flowers are quite similar to the leaves. Best of luck on using this amazing herb!