Verbascum thapsus.  Great mullein, Aaron's Rod  Family: Scrophulariaceae   
V. thapsiforme, Verbascum densiflorum. V. phlomoides = Orange Mullein
PART USED: Whole herb, Leaves- collected in Summer. Flowers
TASTE: Mucilaginous, slightly bitter  ODOR: Faint.
ACTIONS
GROUP: Herbs for the lower respiratory tract
1. Demulcent.[1,2,3]
2. Expectorant.[1,2,3]
3. Astringent.
4. Vulnerary. Demulcent.
5. Diuretic.[1,3]
Topically- Emollient.[1,3] Vulnerary.[1,3]
INDICATIONS
1.  Influenza,[1,2,3] with respiratory catarrh.[1,2,3] Tracheitis.[1] Bronchitis,[1,3] with catarrh.[3] Hay fever. Sinusitis. Pneumonia. Pleurisy. Asthma. Tuberculosis
2. Hemorrhaging. Hemorrhoids.
3. Rough warts. Sunburn. Swollen lymph glands.
4. Diarrhea.
Topically- Preparation in olive oil for inflamed mucosa.[1] Inflammation and to aid wound healing.[3]
SPECIFIC INDICATIONS: Bronchitis with hard cough and soreness.[1]
COMBINATIONS
- Acute or chronic bronchitis, use with Marrubium, Coltsfoot and Lobelia.
PREPARATIONS  3X /day
Dried Leaves  4-8 g.[1]
Infusion[1]  4-8 g in  80-160 ml water.
Fluid extract  1:1 in 25% alcohol 4-8 ml.[1] 2-5 ml.[3]
Fluid extract 1:2 in 25% alcohol.[4]
Local:  Lotion. Compress.
Mullein Infused Oil- Fresh flowers soaked in olive oil for ear problems such as infection, pain, discharge, eczema. Use as ear drops.[1,2]
         
ORIGIN: V. thapsus is native to Great Britain. The other species to Europe and parts of Asia.
DESCRIPTION: V. thapsus: a stout perennial, covered with thick, woolly down, usually unbranched. Leaves; broadly lanceolate, crenate, with a decurrent base, stems winged. Flowers; yellow, almost flat, 15-30 mm in diameter.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents
Research

Anthelmintic and relaxant activities of Verbascum Thapsus Mullein.
Ali N, Ali Shah SW, Shah I, Ahmed G, Ghias M, Khan I, Ali W.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Verbascum thapsus is used in tribal medicine as an antispasmodic, anti-tubercular agent and wormicide. In this study, we investigated the antispasmodic and anthelmintic activities of crude aqueous methanolic extract of the plant.
METHODS:
V. thapsus extracts were tested against roundworms (Ascaridia galli) and tapeworms (Raillietina spiralis). Each species of worm was placed into a negative control group, an albendazole treatment group, or a V. thapsus treatment group, and the time taken for paralysis and death was determined. In addition, relaxation activity tests were performed on sections of rabbit's jejunum. Plant extracts were tested on KCl-induced contractions and the relaxation activities were quantified against atropine. V. thapsus calcium chloride curves were constructed to investigate the mode of action of the plant extracts.
RESULTS:
We detected flavonoids, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, glycosides, carbohydrates, proteins, fats and fixed oils in V. thapsus. For both species of worm, paralysis occurred fastest at the highest concentration of extract. The relative index values for paralysis in A. galli were 4.58, 3.41 and 2.08, at concentrations of 10, 20 and 40 mg/ml of plant extract, respectively. The relative index for death in A. galli suggested that V. thapsus extract is wormicidal at high concentration. Similarly, the relative indexes for paralysis and death in R. spiralis suggested that the extract is a more potent wormicidal agent than albendazole. The mean EC(50) relaxation activity values for spontaneous and KCl induced contractions were 7.5 ± 1.4 mg/ml (6.57-8.01, n = 6) and 7.9 ± 0.41 mg/ml (7.44-8.46, n = 6), respectively. The relaxation activity of the extract was 11.42 ± 2, 17.0 ± 3, 28.5 ± 4, and 128.0 ± 7% of the maximum observed for atropine at corresponding concentrations. The calcium chloride curves showed that V. thapsus extracts (3 mg/ml), had a mean EC(50) (log molar [calcium]) value of -1.9 ± 0.06 (-1.87 - -1.98, n = 6) vs. control EC(50) = -2.5 ± 0.12 (-2.37 - -2.56, n = 6), whereas the verapamil (0.1 µM) EC(50) was -1.7 ± 0.1 (-1.6 - -1.8, n = 6) vs. control EC(50) = -2.4 ± 0.09 (-2.3 - -2.47, n = 5).
CONCLUSIONS:
Our results suggest that V. thapsus, which is currently used by some tribes in the Malakand region of Pakistan, has anthelmintic and antispasmodic value.
PMID: 22463730 PMCID: PMC3350428 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-12-29  BMC Complement Altern Med. 2012 Mar 30;12:29. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-12-29. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Verbascum thapsus ethanol extract on induction of apoptosis in Trichomonas vaginalis in vitro.
Kashan ZF, Arbabi M, Delavari M, Hooshyar H, Taghizadeh M, Joneydy Z.
Abstract
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a tiny parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Metronidazole is used as routine treatment of disease. Some reports have confirmed the potential carcinogenic and teratogenic effects of this drug on fetus and indication of drug resistance. Verbascum thapsus belongs to the family of Scorphulariaceae. Its antiinflammatory properties, disinfectant and skin healing effects are well known. This plant has been used to treat diarrhea and genitourinary infection in traditional medicine. Effects of different concentrations of the Verbascum thapsus extract were tested on the growth and motility of T. vaginalis trophozoites. To evaluate the toxicity of extract, their effects on mice macrophages were measured by MTT([3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazolyl-2)- 2,5-diphenyle tetrazolium bromide ])assay. In this experimental study the effect of Verbascum thapsus ethanol extract on induction apoptosis in T. vaginalis was determined by Flow Cytometry. Results were analyzed by Flow Jo software and the degree of apoptosis was determined. Toxicity percentage of 25-800 µg/ml concentrations of Verbascum thapsus alcoholic extract for mice macrophages was observed between 0.17-0.25 after 12 hours and they were between 0.25-0.42 and0.45-0.95 after 24 and 48h respectively. IC50 (inhibitory concentration, 50%) of Verbascum thapsus ethanol extract and metronidazole after 24h was 39.17 and 0.0326 µg/ml respectively. Flow cytometry results showed the percent of apoptosis following treatment of trophozoites with different concentrations of Verbascum thapsus ethanol extract (25, 50,100,200,400 µg/ml), were 20.7, 37.04, 47.5, 62.72 and 86.35 respectively, while in control group was 2.9. According to this study, Verbascum thapsus extract induces programmed death in T. vaginalis. It is recommended that Verbascum thapsus extract can be considered as a suitable choice for Medical Studies.
PMID: 26239850  Infect Disord Drug Targets. 2015;15(2):125-30. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Biological activity of common mullein, a medicinal plant.
Turker AU, Camper ND.
Abstract
Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus L., Scrophulariaceae) is a medicinal plant that has been used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, asthma, spasmodic coughs, diarrhea and other pulmonary problems. The objective of this study was to assess the biological activity of Common Mullein extracts and commercial Mullein products using selected bench top bioassays, including antibacterial, antitumor, and two toxicity assays--brine shrimp and radish seed. Extracts were prepared in water, ethanol and methanol. Antibacterial activity (especially the water extract) was observed with Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli. Agrobacterium tumefaciens-induced tumors in potato disc tissue were inhibited by all extracts. Toxicity to Brine Shrimp and to radish seed germination and growth was observed at higher concentrations of the extracts.
PMID: 12241986  J Ethnopharmacol. 2002 Oct;82(2-3):117-25. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov