Mullein Recipes for Croup, Cough, Congestion

[littlemama24]

Just a note: I had done some mullein research when a family member had croup and read somewhere that it is one of the most beneficial herbs for dealing with croup.  I made a cough syrup of it and gave it to the parent of the child the day I found out what his "diagnosis" was.  I am not sure if they used it or not or it's effectiveness.  I have used the same syrup recipe when my oldest gets a barky cough and it always works wonders - along with cool mist vaporizer and goot, etc.

[strawberry]

I'm new to the "tincture/syrup/ointment" making, but when a "barky cough" goes through my house, my 12 mo daughter keeps it for at least a month (she has since 6mo).  Could you explain how you use the mullein to make a syrup?

Thanks.

[lotsagirls]

When mine get a croupy cough, I use a warm onion compress on their chests.  Just slice some onions and put them in a towel.  Put the towel on their chest, cover with a hot water bottle (or heating pad) and a blanket.

I also give them an onion cough syrup.  Put some onion slices in honey and let them sit for a couple of hours.  A teaspoon of this gets rid of a cough immediately in our experience.

[littlemama24]

I'm new to the "tincture/syrup/ointment" making, but when a "barky cough" goes through my house, my 12 mo daughter keeps it for at least a month (she has since 6mo).  Could you explain how you use the mullein to make a syrup?

Thanks.

here you go...
Excerpt from: Mullein, Nature's Best Wipe
by Debi Pearl   2000
To make a cough syrup, gently boil a cup of dried leaves in a cup of water until half of the water is gone. Strain through a cloth, pushing all the liquid out. While it is still warm, add 2 tablespoons of raw honey and mix well. This remedy can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one month. Use it like a regular cough syrup, taking 1 teaspoon every 3 or 4 hours.

I have inhaled the steam from boiling mullein to clear my lungs and break up heavy chest congestion. To prepare this remedy, I boil a cup of the leaves in a quart of water. After removing the boiled liquid from the stove, I lean over with my face right over the pot. Then, I place a towel over my head and breathe in the mullein steam. Use caution when doing this as the pot and liquid are very hot.

[littlemama24]

When mine get a croupy cough, I use a warm onion compress on their chests.  Just slice some onions and put them in a towel.  Put the towel on their chest, cover with a hot water bottle (or heating pad) and a blanket.

I also give them an onion cough syrup.  Put some onion slices in honey and let them sit for a couple of hours.  A teaspoon of this gets rid of a cough immediately in our experience.

WOW! I saw that on an episode of 'Christy'.  Actually, there are a lot of herbal remedies mentioned on that show... we watch it for a family movie time on DVD.

[dara]

Just a note: I had done some mullein research when a family member had croup and read somewhere that it is one of the most beneficial herbs for dealing with croup.  I made a cough syrup of it and gave it to the parent of the child the day I found out what his "diagnosis" was.  I am not sure if they used it or not or it's effectiveness.  I have used the same syrup recipe when my oldest gets a barky cough and it always works wonders - along with cool mist vaporizer and goot, etc

.

I love this herb! It is in my top 5. I put it in all my immune/flu tinctures. The freaky thing about this sickness (and there was NO COUGH by the way, which was odd) is that it was not responding to anything I doing, including using Immune Awake, which I don't usually give to the kids for obvious reasons (cayenne, garlic, echinacea) and Kid's Immune Support (ech., elderberry, mullein, olive leaf), as well as extra mullein caps in applesauce with quercitin and zinc, and vit. C, and ginger baths, and Debi's chest rub with menthol, etc. I have never had that regimine fail before! Nothing would make the swelling in her throat go down, and I we were becoming too worn out to continue pacing with her to wake her up to breathe. So yeah, thanks for mentioning that- it is such a wonderful herb- we have discovered it even works for our pet bunny's snuffles (which is usually deadly). The folks at the park must think we're odd for picking weeds, but we've used up all the ones in the yard!

[Mom2FourBlessings]

Question:

My 16 month old seems to be coming down with croup we were up last night with the barky cough most of the night, finally a nebulizer treatment of saline solution helped, and sleeping with the windows open...even though it was 24 degrees outside.. LOL 

Anyway, what I was wondering is someone above mentioned mullien steam... however doing this with a 16 month old would be impossible..
Do you all think that if I boiled some mullien in water then put the water in the nebulizer that it would have the same results??  Do you think that would be safe?? 

I work as a paramedic so I have the nebulizer and the emergency meds on hand should his breathing become labored, or his airway blocked, but unless I have to I don't want to administer inhaled steroids, or anything else. KWIM??

Thanks for all this info about mullien, it is one of the herbs I have in the freezer in bulk..

Heather

[dara]

I don't know much about nebulizers, but we've had the kids inhale peppermint tea steam before... I imagine mullein steam would help too...

[jessicah]

My friend made a mullein and peppermint tincture. It works well for those annoying dry coughs that come on during the night.  I dont know the specifics, but I would suggest 2 parts mullein to 1 part peppermint.

[SC]

Here's an article on Mullein:
http://potterswheelschool.blogspot.com/2007/12/mullein.html

It's properties make it great for congestion and coughing. The recommendations I found said that it blends well with Chamomile & Catnip. I like it with peppermint, but haven't experimented that much. To me, it tastes great and is effective in a tea by itself.

[momofkings]

Does anyone know if this herb is safe to use during pregnancy?  I am 36 weeks along and have developed a horrible cough.  I actually thought I pulled a stomach muscle from all the coughing, it's very painful.  The doctor's told me I could take Robitussin, etc, but I don't want to.  However, I do want this cough to be gone NOW.  So I've been searching on here trying to find something specific to just coughs--I don't have a sore throat or anything like that, just this annoying, unending cough!  Help!

[ladyhen]

Does anyone know if this herb is safe to use during pregnancy?  I am 36 weeks along and have developed a horrible cough.  I actually thought I pulled a stomach muscle from all the coughing, it's very painful.  The doctor's told me I could take Robitussin, etc, but I don't want to.  However, I do want this cough to be gone NOW.  So I've been searching on here trying to find something specific to just coughs--I don't have a sore throat or anything like that, just this annoying, unending cough!  Help!

Here's the information posted on Herbs 2000; 

"Mullein is generally safe, and there are no known contraindications to its use during pregnancy or lactation, except for rare reports of skin irritation."

Full article here;     http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_mullein.htm

Hope that helps!   Also, try lemon juice and honey in tea.  Honey can help loosen up. 

[maceoghain]

How do I prepare fresh-picked mullein??

I just picked some from an obliging field near our house, and I don't know what to do next.

Obviously, I ought to wash them, but in what? Plain water? Vinegar?

Can someone give me step-by-step instructions on what I should do?

I need to use it for my developing cough today if possible.

Can I use it fresh or must it be dried first?

Help!   

kate (Our Lady of Perpetual Questions...) 

[littlemama24]

When I used home-picked mullein I rinsed the leaves and then "dried" in the oven on real low heat (the lowest setting) for about an hour I think.  hth

[maceoghain]

Thank you! Can you use mullein fresh too?

[SamsGirl]

How do I prepare fresh-picked mullein??

I just picked some from an obliging field near our house, and I don't know what to do next.

Obviously, I ought to wash them, but in what? Plain water? Vinegar?

Can someone give me step-by-step instructions on what I should do?

I need to use it for my developing cough today if possible.

Can I use it fresh or must it be dried first?

Help!   

kate (Our Lady of Perpetual Questions...) 

check out this link
http://www.altnature.com/gallery/mullien.htm

I was just looking this up yesterday because I had passed quite a few plants on a walk and was wondering what to do with them if I picked them.....towards the bottom of the page there are instructions on how to make tea and how to do oil.....

[maceoghain]

Thank you! That is a very informative article.

Still wondering if anything can be done with fresh (not dried) leaves?

I think it's time to head to the library and get educated... 

[littlemama24]

Ha!  If you use 'em for camping toilet paper you use 'em fresh...

[ladyhen]

Thank you! That is a very informative article.

Still wondering if anything can be done with fresh (not dried) leaves?

I think it's time to head to the library and get educated... 

Yes, Kate, you can use the fresh leaves.  You simply need to use more, volume-wise, than you would dried.   I wash my herbs in  a mild salt water and then a cool, freshwater rinse.  If you have some lobelia or marshmallow root, add some of that to your tea for your cough.
hth  ~cyndi

[maceoghain]

Thank you too!

Youse are fabulous. I think I'll keep you. 

[ladyhen]

Thank you too!

Youse are fabulous. I think I'll keep you. 

Awww, shucks.      T'wern't nuthin'.     

[Leah IL]

check out this link
http://www.altnature.com/gallery/mullien.htm

I was just looking this up yesterday because I had passed quite a few plants on a walk and was wondering what to do with them if I picked them.....towards the bottom of the page there are instructions on how to make tea and how to do oil.....

Samsgirl, THANK YOU for the link!!  That is exactly what I was looking for today   I picked and dried a bunch of mullein this week and meant to look up exactly how to use it, thinking i had until fall when colds often kick in.  Lo and behold, my 5 year old came down this morning feeling yucky...thanks for saving me some time!

[BJ_BOBBI_JO]

Are all parts of mullein safe to use?

[sarajane]

Yes they are: roots, leaves, flowers, and stalks all safe.

The only thing that I have seen that it may be toxic are the seeds. But I have read conflicting things on that. I found a remedy that used the seeds but I have read they are toxic so...but the rest of the plant works so I don't see why one would have a need for the seeds other than for planting.

[herbs girl]

Magnificent Mullien Recipe
for colds coughs asthma, ect

2 1/2 parts Mullien
2 parts Marshmallow
1 part Angelica
1 part Calendula
1 part Orange Peel
1 part Elderberries

https://www.limitededitionherbs.com/public/detail.php?id=351

[Mrs. B]

I just set up a tincture of:
2 parts mullein
1 part lobelia
2 parts catnip
I'm planning on using this for upper respiratory/congestion-type stuff.

[herbs girl]

I just set up a tincture of:
2 parts mullein
1 part lobelia
2 parts catnip
I'm planning on using this for upper respiratory/congestion-type stuff.

 what dosages will you be using with the children and yourself?

[Mrs. B]

I just set up a tincture of:
2 parts mullein
1 part lobelia
2 parts catnip
I'm planning on using this for upper respiratory/congestion-type stuff.

 what dosages will you be using with the children and yourself?

To be honest, the lobelia always makes me a bit nervous so I'm probably over-cautious with it.  I generally start all of us, kids and adults, with 1 dropperful, and give it every 2-3 hours as tolerated until I see symptoms start to be more managed.

[floydian]

I've tried mullein before, but not catnip.  Does the catnip help stop a cough?

[Mrs. B]

I've tried mullein before, but not catnip.  Does the catnip help stop a cough?

The main reason I included catnip is that it has a relaxing effect upon the nervous system.  Its actions include:  carminative, diaphoretic, antispasmodic, refigerant, emmenagogue, anodyne, sedative, antacid, astringent, and nervine.
It is very gentle acting and appropriate for babies.  It is from the mint family.
Combined with mullein and lobelia, I am looking at rememdies for bronchitis,, colds, flu-like symptoms, and fevers mainly, should we run into these problems....