Mullein Tea: A Complete Herbalist’s Guide to This Ancient Lung-Supporting Plant
An herbalist-led guide exploring mullein's traditional uses, energetics, taste, brewing techniques, and the qualities that make it one of the most trusted herbs for lung wellness.
Table of Contents
- Introduction: Why This Guide Matters
- Why People Are Searching for Mullein Tea Right Now
- What Is Mullein Tea? (Science, Tradition & the Plant Itself)
- How Mullein Has Traditionally Supported the Lung
- The Energetics of Mullein - What This Plant Teaches Us
- How to Brew Mullein Tea Properly
- What Does Mullein Tea Taste Like?
- Other Ways to Support Lung & Seasonal Wellness
- Safety Considerations for Mullein Tea
- How to Choose a High-Quality Mullein Tea
-
Closing Reflection: What Mullein Teaches
How I Came to Work With Mullein
There are plants you choose, and then there are plants that choose you.
For me, mullein arrived uninvited and all at once - a full bed of close to a dozen towering volunteers rising beneath my bedroom window in the Catskills. I had planted chamomile, dahlias, and phlox but they never came. To my surprise, mullein grew strongly in their place - soft-leafed and unmistakable. I felt less like a coincidence and more like a call to work with the plant on a deeper level.
Mullein is an herb I’ve been familiar with for years, mostly because it’s a key ingredient in one of our most popular Lung Health tea blends. But this past summer, I got to know the plant in a more personal way. I watched those volunteers move through their familiar cycle: the velvety rosette leaves, the flowers blooming one by one, the tall spike reaching upward with bright yellow blooms. With gratitude, I harvested the leaves before the flowers formed, and gathered blossoms through the summer, deepening the relationship even more.
It’s no wonder people are turning to mullein tea today - not only for its long history of supporting seasonal wellness and the lungs, but for the way it seems to meet you exactly where you are.
Mullein is big, but not forceful. Strong, but not harsh. A plant that teaches you to stay upright without hardening, to remain soft even in a world that asks you to toughen.Light, earthy, and soft on the palate, mullein leaf tea has become a quiet companion for people seeking grounding, breath, and a return to the basics.
This article blends lived experience, traditional herbal teachings, and science-backed insight - a guide to understanding mullein tea on every level.
Why People Are Searching for Mullein Tea Right Now
Mullein tea has quietly become one of the most searched-for herbal teas in the country - especially during the colder months. Part of that rise is due to social media, where videos about “lung detox tea” and “mullein leaf tea benefits” circulate constantly. But beneath the trends, there’s something deeper happening: people are looking for herbs that feel trusted, ancestral, and genuinely supportive of their wellness.
Mullein is one of those herbs.
For generations, mullein has been used across Europe, the Mediterranean, and by many Indigenous communities in North America. Its leaves and flowers show up in historical herbal texts, folk remedies, and seasonal tea traditions - especially for times when breath feels shallow, energy feels low, or the colder seasons weigh on the body. Modern wellness seekers are turning to mullein tea for many of the same reasons, wanting something gentle, approachable, and rooted in tradition.
Another reason for the growing interest? People want simple, whole-herb preparations they can trust. Loose-leaf mullein tea, not powdered bags, has become especially popular because it allows you to see the plant’s quality, feel the texture of the leaves, and brew it properly.
And then there’s the category no one talks about: many people are searching for mullein because they’re overwhelmed by conflicting information online. They’re not looking for hype. They want grounded knowledge, responsible guidance, and clarity on how to work with mullein safely and effectively.
Whether someone is looking for the best tea for a cold or mullein tea for lungs specifically for its traditional lung-supportive uses, the underlying intention is the same: or they’re searching for an herb that supports them in a gentle, time-honored way - one that helps them breathe a little deeper, slow down a little more, and reconnect with the wisdom of plants.
What Is Mullein Tea? (Science, Tradition & the Plant Itself)
If you’ve ever driven past an open field and noticed a towering golden spike rising above the grasses, that was likely mullein.
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a biennial plant known for its tall flowering spike, soft velvety leaves, and deep-rooted presence in herbal traditions. In its first year, mullein forms a low-growing rosette of thick, fuzzy leaves. In the second year, it sends up a towering stalk that can reach six feet or more, dotted with small yellow flowers that open one at a time.
Those soft, felt-like leaves are rich in mucilage, a naturally occurring plant fiber that becomes gel-like when infused in water. Mucilage is what gives mullein tea its gentle, soothing quality and its signature “soft on the palate” feel. The leaves also contain flavonoids, saponins, triterpenes, and other compounds that have been studied for their roles in plant defense and resilience. (For readers who love deeper science, I share more of these breakdowns in my wellness newsletter.)
The leaves are what most people use for tea. They’re thick, soft, and covered in fine hairs, which is why mullein tea needs to be strained through a fine mesh or cloth (a detail that often gets left out of mainstream mullein articles). The flowers, which bloom slowly over the summer, are smaller and more delicate, traditionally infused into ear oils or added in small amounts to teas for their gentle, uplifting qualities.
Much of what we know today about mullein comes from generations of people who worked with this plant long before it appeared in modern wellness circles. These uses vary by region and culture, and acknowledging those lineages is important. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, mullein is understood to support Lung Qi by helping disperse stagnation and create more openness through the chest.
Energetically, mullein is one of the gentlest herbs you can work with: steady, soft, and reassuring. In Western herbalism, it’s considered cooling, moistening, and softening, yet also slightly drying in a way that brings balance. These qualities make it especially supportive during the colder months, when the body often feels tight, dry, or constricted.
How Mullein Tea Has Traditionally Supported the Lungs
Mullein has long been seen as an herb that brings ease, softness, and flow to places that feel tight or stagnant. Herbalists often describe mullein as a plant that “creates space” not by pushing or stimulating, but by gently encouraging the body to loosen what it’s holding. This quality is one reason mullein leaf tea becomes especially valuable during the colder months, when breath can feel shallow or constricted and the body asks for steady support rather than forceful intervention.
Rather than acting in a single, linear way, mullein follows a pattern that feels both grounding and subtly uplifting. Many herbal traditions note that it supports downward flow when the body needs to settle, and upward openness when the chest feels tight - a duality that makes mullein incredibly adaptable.
This is why mullein is often called a “bridge herb.” It doesn’t drive the body toward any extreme; it simply offers a steady presence while the body finds its own rhythm again. People reach for mullein tea not because it promises dramatic shifts, but because it encourages ease in a way that feels approachable and intuitive.
While mullein is beautiful on its own, traditional herbalism rarely uses it in isolation. Herbalists have long paired mullein with other plants that either warm, brighten, or deepen its effects, depending on what the season or the body calls for. We’ll explore some of those classic combinations later in this article, including the ones used in my own Lung Health Tea blend.
The Energetics of Mullein: The Soft Strength This Herb Teaches
Mullein doesn’t just work on the body - it has a way of meeting the person who drinks it. If you pay attention while you sip mullein leaf tea, the first thing you notice isn’t flavor. It’s a feeling. The tea settles in slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, then begins to create a sense of spaciousness that’s gentle rather than dramatic.
Herbalists often describe this as mullein’s soft strength - the kind of support that lands quietly, without demanding anything of you. It’s not a push. It’s not a clearing-out. It’s more like the body remembering how to unwind. Some people feel it as a subtle widening through the chest. Others feel it as a grounding in the belly, or a softening of the areas they tend to brace or hold.
A lot of this comes from the plant’s own nature. In its first year, mullein stays low - a round rosette of wide, velvety leaves pressed close to the earth. This stage is all rooting, gathering, listening. Energetically, it mirrors the feeling of settling into your body after a long day: a quieting, a re-centering, a return to steadiness.
In the second year, mullein rises. The tall spike reaches upward - straight, intentional, and bright with yellow blossoms. This upward movement reflects mullein’s ability to create gentle lift in the body: a little more breath, a little more openness, a little more clarity. But unlike stimulating herbs, mullein does this without tightening or forcing. Its tall posture is firm but never rigid - the exact lesson many people take from this plant.
Emotionally, mullein is an herb people have turned to when they’ve been carrying too much - whether physically, energetically, or emotionally. It’s a companion plant for those who feel overwhelmed, contracted, or “braced” against the world. Not because it fixes anything, but because it reflects a different way of being: strong, stable, and soft at the same time.
If you want to tap into mullein’s energetic teachings while you drink it, the process is simple:
- Sit for a moment before your first sip.
- Notice the weight of the mug in your hands.
- Let your shoulders drop naturally.
- Inhale gently - not deeply, just enough to notice where tension lives.
- Sip slowly, and pay attention to the places that soften as the warmth spreads.
This isn’t ritual for ritual’s sake; it’s a way of syncing up with the plant’s energy. Mullein doesn’t rush. It doesn’t push. It invites. And tuning into that invitation is part of why mullein leaf tea has remained a beloved wellness tea across so many traditions.
Above all, the energetics of mullein come back to one principle: soft strength.
The kind that teaches you how to open without losing your rootedness - how to stand tall without becoming hard.
How to Brew Mullein Tea Properly
Mullein leaf tea is simple to make, but it needs to be brewed correctly to fully express its softness, its mucilage, and its energetic qualities. Unlike herbs with volatile aromatics that release quickly, mullein’s supportive qualities come from slow extraction - the plant asks you to take your time.
Here’s how to brew it in a way that brings out its full character:
1. Start with loose-leaf mullein, not tea bags
Tea bags often contain powdered mullein, which can feel gritty or overly strong. Loose leaf allows the plant to open slowly and cleanly during the steep.
Use:
- 1 tablespoon dried mullein leaf for a medicinal dose
- 10-12 oz of hot water (about 205–208°F)
2. Pour hot water gently over the leaves
This matters more than people realize. A slow pour protects the delicate leaf hairs from swirling too aggressively, which can make the tea harder to strain. Pouring gently also honors mullein’s energetic nature - slow, steady, soft.
3. Steep longer than you think
Mullein needs time.
- Cover and steep for 12–15 minutes for a standard cup
- 20–30 minutes for a deeper, more mucilaginous infusion
Longer steeping doesn’t make mullein bitter; it simply extracts more softness.
Why this works:
Mullein’s mucilage (the gel-like plant fiber responsible for its soothing feel) requires extended contact with hot water to fully extract - a fact supported by herbal pharmacognosy research on polysaccharide-rich herbs.
4. Strain through a fine mesh, cloth, or reusable tea bag
Mullein leaves are covered in tiny hairs that can feel scratchy if they’re not filtered properly. A proper strain lets you experience mullein tea the way it’s meant to be: gentle, silky, and easy on the throat.
While you can strain with a fine-mesh strainer or a reusable muslin bag, I prefer using compostable tea bags made from natural fibers - it’s an easy and mess-free way to brew that doesn’t involve any plastic.
These compostable tea bags are designed exactly for plants like mullein - they catch the fine hairs while still allowing the herb to fully expand in the water. They’re unbleached, plant-based, and perfect for loose-leaf herbs that need a clean, smooth finish.
5. Taste the tea before sweetening
Mullein is naturally light, earthy, and soft on the palate - many people notice a subtle sweetness similar to peppermint or meadow herbs. When combined with herbs like elderberry and juniper (such as a lung health tea), it has a balanced flavor profile that makes daily use enjoyable.
Try the tea on its own before adding honey or lemon. This lets you experience the plant’s energetic signature without masking it.
6. For a cold infusion: steep 4–6 hours
Cold water draws out mucilage differently - producing a thicker, silkier tea.
- Place 1–2 teaspoons mullein in a jar
- Cover with cold water and pop in the fridge.
- Steep at least 4 hours (up to overnight)
- Strain well
Cold infusion is ideal if you want more mucilage. I’d especially recommend this method if you’re brewing lung health tea, because the mucilage is balanced with the flavor and properties of the elder, juniper berries, and rose hips.
7. A note on multiple cups
Mullein’s effects are not immediate or dramatic. It’s a cumulative, relationship-based tea, often enjoyed daily during seasonal transitions or colder months.
Think of it as building a relationship with the plant - sip by sip.
If you harvest your own mullein leaves, especially from volunteer plants you feel connected to, brewing becomes a kind of slow ritual - a way to honor the plant that showed up for you when you were in need.
What Does Mullein Tea Taste Like?
Mullein tea has a surprisingly gentle flavor for such a large and bold-looking plant. The taste is light, clean, and softly earthy, with a subtle sweetness that reminds some people of meadow herbs or the faint sweetness of peppermint leaf. There’s no bitterness, no sharp edge, and nothing strong or overpowering - just a smooth, comforting cup that feels simple and grounded.
While plain mullein tea is light and softly earthy, its flavor becomes much richer and more dimensional when paired with traditional lung-supporting herbs. In this Lung Health tea blend, mullein forms the foundation - gentle, grounding, and neutral - while the other herbs add layers of warmth and brightness. Elderberry adds a soft, dark-berry richness; elecampane brings a gentle warmth with a hint of spice; juniper gives the blend a crisp, pine-like brightness; and rosehips add a clean, tangy note that lifts the finish.
The result is a lung tea that’s still soft and soothing, but more robust and rounded than mullein on its own. It’s the kind of flavor you can return to day after day, especially during colder months, without feeling overwhelmed or tired of it. For many people, blends like this become their preferred way to drink mullein - a fuller, more enjoyable expression of the herb’s gentle nature.
For anyone new to herbal tea, mullein leaf tea is one of the easiest and most approachable flavors: gentle, soft, and exceptionally drinkable.
A Mullein Tea Ritual for Grounding, Softening & Breath
You don’t need an elaborate ritual to connect with mullein. The plant itself isn’t elaborate - it’s simple, steady, and unhurried (a weed by conventional standards, dare I say). A mullein ritual is really just a way of slowing down enough to notice what the plant is already offering.
Here’s a simple practice you can do with a cup of mullein tea, especially during colder seasons or moments when you feel tight, rushed, or pulled out of yourself.
1. Sit with the plant before you drink it
Before your first sip, pause for a moment and hold the warm mug in your hands. Feel the weight, the temperature, and the quiet presence of the plant. Mullein doesn’t rush, and beginning this way invites you to meet it at its natural pace.
If your mullein came from your own garden or from volunteer plants you feel connected to, this moment often takes on a deeper meaning. It becomes a small act of acknowledgment - a way of greeting the plant that showed up for you.
2. Notice your chest and shoulders
Drop your shoulders without forcing anything. Inhale gently, just enough to feel where your breath naturally stops. Mullein’s posture - tall, soft, steady - mirrors what many people feel as they drink the tea: an opening that isn’t pushed, a softening that doesn’t collapse.
Simply noticing this sets the tone for the ritual.
3. Sip slowly and pay attention to sensation
Mullein tea lands in the body quietly. With each sip, notice:
- the soft, silky texture on the tongue
- the warmth spreading through the chest
- where the body unwinds or unclenches
- whether the breath feels a little more spacious
There’s nothing to “achieve” here - just observe. The plant does the teaching.
4. Let the tea set your pace
Mullein teaches soft strength. It reminds you that you can stand tall without hardening, and soften without losing your boundaries. As you drink, notice where you tend to brace: the jaw, the ribs, the solar plexus, the upper back. Let the warmth invite softness, not slackness - just enough to feel like you’re no longer holding everything up alone.
This is the heart of mullein’s energy.
5. End the ritual with one intentional breath
When your cup is empty, place a hand on your chest or on the mug.
Take one slow, easy breath - not deep, just present.
This simple gesture closes the ritual without fanfare. It marks the moment and honors the plant’s presence in your day.
Optional: Journal prompt
If you want to deepen the practice:
“Where in my life am I being asked to soften, and where am I being asked to stand tall?”
This mirrors mullein’s own dual nature: soft leaves, strong spine.
A mullein ritual isn’t about doing. It’s about noticing. It’s about letting a plant teach you something simple and important: you can be both soft and strong, rooted and open, all at once.
Safety Considerations for Mullein Tea
One of the reasons mullein has been used across so many cultures for so long is because it’s generally considered a gentle, well-tolerated herb when prepared properly. Still, every plant has considerations worth mentioning, especially for people trying mullein leaf tea for the first time.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
1. Always strain mullein thoroughly
Mullein leaves are covered in tiny hairs that can feel scratchy if left in the tea.
A fine-mesh strainer, cloth, or natural compostable tea bag will prevent this.
This is the single most important safety step.
2. Start with a small amount if you’re new to the herb
A tablespoon of mullein leaf is the standard dose, but some people prefer beginning with a teaspoon to learn how their body responds.
3. Consult a practitioner if pregnant, breastfeeding, or managing chronic conditions
This is standard herbal guidance for almost all botanicals.
While mullein is generally gentle, personalized support matters.
4. Use properly dried, properly stored leaves
Fresh leaves can be too moist, and improperly dried ones may develop mold.
Choose sources that show the full leaf structure — not powders.
5. Allergies are rare, but possible
People sensitive to plants in the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae) may want to start slowly or speak with an herbal practitioner.
6. Mullein tea is not the same as smoking mullein
Some online discussions lump these together, but they are very different practices.
This article focuses solely on traditional tea preparations.
Overall, mullein tends to be a very gentle herb, especially when brewed and strained properly. Most people tolerate it well when used as traditionally prepared.
How to Choose a High-Quality Mullein Tea
With mullein’s popularity increasing, quality varies significantly between products. Good mullein is unmistakable - soft, vibrant, and intact. Lower-quality versions tend to be dusty, stale, or overly processed.
Here’s what to look for:
1. Whole, recognizable leaves
High-quality mullein should look like mullein: wide, fuzzy, pale green leaves that still resemble the plant they came from. Avoid powders or “tea dust” - it’s harsher, harder to strain, and loses potency quickly.
2. Organic sourcing matters
Mullein is a plant that grows in disturbed soils and along roadsides, which can expose it to environmental contaminants. Organic sourcing ensures cleaner land and cleaner harvesting.
3. Small-batch or artisan processed herbs
Soft, velvety leaves require careful drying and handling. Small-batch herbalists tend to preserve the leaf structure instead of grinding it down for convenience.
4. Freshness indicators
Good mullein is:
- pale green to sage green
- soft, not brittle
- aromatic in a subtle, clean, herbal way
Dull brown, musty, or overly crumbly leaves indicate an older product.
5. Compostable or reusable tea bags for brewing
Because the leaf hairs need to be strained, choosing mullein that works well with fine filters or compostable bags improves the drinking experience significantly.
6. Avoid blends with added “natural flavors”
Mullein tea should taste like a plant, not like perfume. Choosing pure loose-leaf mullein (or lung tea blends with real, whole herbs) ensures authenticity and transparency.
7. Support herbalists who actually work with the plant
People who grow, wildcraft, or regularly work with mullein understand how to dry it properly, harvest ethical amounts, and maintain its integrity.
A good mullein tea feels alive - soft, clean, and vibrant - never dusty or dull.
Choosing high-quality mullein isn’t just about taste; it’s about respecting the plant and the tradition behind it.
Other Ways to Support Lung & Seasonal Wellness
Herbs are powerful, but they’re only one part of a bigger picture.
Seasonal wellness, especially in colder months, is about tending to the body in small, consistent ways. Mullein tea fits beautifully into this rhythm, and there are other simple practices that pair naturally with it.
Here are grounded, traditional ways to support yourself alongside your daily cup:
1. Warmth (Inside and Out)
Cold weather naturally pulls the body inward. Layering warmly, avoiding chilled drinks first thing in the morning, and choosing warm, cooked foods supports the body’s natural rhythms during fall and winter.
Pairing mullein with warming herbs like ginger or elecampane (as in your Lung Health blend) complements this beautifully.
2. Fresh Air & Gentle Movement
Even a short walk - especially in fresh, crisp air - helps you reconnect with your breath and your environment. Think: slow movement, open space, full-body presence. This mirrors mullein’s own vertical, steady posture.
3. Humidification & Hydration
Cold months tend to create dryness, both indoors and in the body. Keeping the air moist, drinking warm water throughout the day, and enjoying hydrating herbal teas support ease and comfort.
4. Aromatic Plants in the Home
Plants like pine, rosemary, juniper, or eucalyptus - even just a few sprigs in a vase - subtly support the atmosphere of a room.
You don’t need to burn or diffuse anything; simply having aromatic plants present can shift the space.
5. Slow, Easy Breathwork
Nothing forceful. Nothing structured. Just simple awareness:
- inhale gently
- extend the exhale a little
- feel where the breath lands
This pairs naturally with mullein’s soft-opening qualities.
6. Daily Rhythms & Rest
Winter is a season of lower energy for a reason.
Listening to that rhythm by going to bed a little earlier, keeping evenings quiet, taking pauses during the day - supports the same kind of softness mullein teaches.
7. Time Outside (Even Briefly)
Light matters. Exposure to natural light, even indirect winter sun, helps regulate seasonal rhythms and mood.
8. Seasonal Herbs
If you enjoy blending herbs according to the time of year, mullein aligns well with:
- elderberry (winter nourishment)
- ginger (warmth and movement)
- rosehips (brightness and balance)
- juniper (clarity)
- nettle (mineral support during low-energy months)
These herbs don’t “fix” anything - they support the body’s natural transitions from fall into winter and winter into spring.
9. Rituals That Create Space
Herbal tea, journaling, tending your home, lighting a candle before you settle in - any act that helps you slow down becomes a way of supporting your seasonal wellness.
Mullein is a perfect companion for these daily rituals because its nature is patient, spacious, and quietly grounding.
10. Respecting Your Sensitivity
You’re allowed to need more softness, more warmth, more rest, more space.
Seasonal wellness isn’t about pushing through - it’s about listening.
Mullein is one of those plants that reflects this back to you.
Closing Reflection: What Mullein Teaches
Mullein was one of the first plants on my land to reach out to me - not in a metaphorical way, but in the quiet, practical way plants make themselves known. A full bed of volunteers rising beneath my bedroom window wasn’t something I planned or planted. It was something that arrived. Something that chose me before I chose it.
All season I watched those plants move through their cycle: the grounded first-year rosettes, the tall flowering spikes, the slow unfurling of bright yellow blossoms. Mullein taught me in real time what it means to be soft and strong at the same moment - rooted without being rigid, upright without hardening. It taught me how to honor my own boundaries while remaining respectful and kind.
That is the essence of mullein tea.
It’s a plant that doesn’t rush, doesn’t force, doesn’t demand. Instead, it offers presence - the kind of presence that helps you notice your breath, your body, and the pace of your own life.
Everyone who drinks mullein eventually forms their own relationship with it. For some, it becomes a winter companion. For others, a grounding evening ritual. For many, it’s simply a plant that reminds them to slow down, soften, and stand tall in the ways that matter.
The beauty of mullein is that it meets you where you are.
Whether you harvest it from your land, buy it dried, or enjoy it in a blend, the plant carries the same quiet wisdom:
you can move through the world with steadiness and softness at the same time.
Mullein is an herb you don’t just drink - you grow with.
For more education on mullein tea benefits, explore our additional resource guides on the MediTea Wellness blog, and our herbalist-crafted Lung Health tea blend.
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