If you’ve landed on this article, it is safe to assume that you or somebody you dearly care about suffers from sinusitis or sinus, and you’re looking for natural remedies to counter the disruption it causes. Maybe someone recommended that you read about mullein tea and its benefits in sinusitis!
Wise decision, you’d soon find out about the numerous benefits that mullein tea offers.
Living with sinusitis is quite a task uphill, we know, especially for those suffering from acute or chronic sinusitis which can be triggered suddenly by the faintest viral or bacterial infections and can go on to obstruct your life for months at a stretch.
Once triggered, the nasal cavity gets blocked, making it difficult for one to breathe properly and so, cutting out the oxygen supply to the body for proper functioning. But, that’s not all there is to sinus!
We’ll discuss sinus in detail in the article below, and we’ll also tell you why you can go for mullein tea for sinus treatment.
Yes, Mullein tea has been proven to help alleviate the symptoms as well as the causes of sinusitis. If you’ve been unaware of the herb’s magical medicinal properties, look no further. We’ve got you covered. Without further ado, let’s begin.
What is Mullein?
The word “Mullein” comes from Mollis, the Latin word for “soft”.
You would find mentions of the Common Mullein scattered across history, mythology, and lore around the world. For instance, one of the oldest mentions of Mullein comes from the Greeks.
They believed that Mullein had the power to keep evil forces at bay, so much so that the Greek lord Ulysses carried Mullein with him on his way to Circe. One also finds Mullein’s association with Christianity as it is often called the Virgin Mary’s Candle for its long pipe-like tail with a flower bud on top resembling a candle. (1)
Mullein, scientifically known as the Verbascum Thapsus, is a herb that was once considered a weed. Native to Europe and Asia originally, mullein was seen as bad news for the other crops around, particularly in the Mediterranean area, which favors its abundant growth.
Mullein’s yellow flowers would blossom densely packed, and for such a tiny frail plant, it attracted a lot of insects. Moreover, its light-weighing seeds spread around easily and it led to more mullein where it was not wanted.
Although ancient civilizations in the Indian subcontinent, the Romans and Greeks had stumbled upon its effectiveness against cough, its full potential was yet to be unearthed.
For quite some time, Mullein was seen as a minor inconvenience to other crops being grown. Then, how come today Mullein is being cultivated in the North Americas and North Africa, and in demand in every part of the world?
In fact, Mullein is also called the Great Mullein or the Greater Mullein fondly. So, what brought about the change?
As Mullein came to the North Americas with the European colonizers, Native Americans took notice. They started experimenting with the various parts of the plant. They soon found out that Mullein’s roots could be boiled and drank with water during winter.
It had a certain heating effect, which reenergized the body and also kept it safe from many infections. When there was a skin disease or cut, the natives would grind the mullein leaves and apply that paste on the affected areas. The flowers were effective against inflammation and cold. Thus began the journey of experimenting with Mullein and understanding that the plant was not a weed, but a wonder!
What Makes Mullein so Great?
Nutritionally speaking, Mullein is a gold mine. The herb’s leaves are rich in fiber, minerals like phosphorus, zinc, iron, calcium, and Vitamin B and C. The abundance of minerals, fiber, and vitamins makes Mullein tea not just a good choice for sinusitis treatment, but for overall well-being. These nutrients boost our holistic health.
However, what really makes Mullein work as a home remedy that is at par with medicine is its abundance of saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, and verbascosides. These are big names, but, what do they do?
Saponins and glycosides are particularly known for their anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. What that means is whenever our body is going through an infection or an injury, the affected membranes are likely to get overworked, damaged, and in that process, swollen. Not only will saponins and glycosides help reduce the inflammation but also the pain. Moreover, glycosides are known to be super anti-oxidants, meaning they will speed up the healing.
Flavonoids are anti-inflammatory antioxidants as well, but, on top of that, these compounds help soothe your cardiovascular system in particular. They are also beneficial against diabetes and breathing problems.
They even derive their name from Verbascum, which if you recall, is the name for Mullein in the science community. This compound is found in the Mullein herb in higher volume. (2)
Benefits of drinking Mullein Tea
So, let's put all the scientific information above together, and see what happens inside our body when we drink Mullein tea regularly.
Improved sleep quality: The flavonoids present in Mullein soothe our nervous system as well as regulate our mental health. Thus, a regular consumption of mullein tea can help relieve early signs of anxiety and insomnia.
A gentle laxative: Mullein is what we call an expectorant, meaning a substance that helps the body eliminate extra collected mucus. Combine that with anti-inflammatory properties, you get a tea that eases an irritated gut’s functioning and regulates your digestion.
Relief from joint pain and muscle spasms: Antioxidants, in general, have the power to minimize the number of free radicals floating around our bodies, which are the main cause of aging faster. The faster you age, the more you ache. Antioxidants will slow that process down, while the anti-inflammatory properties combined with pain-relieving effects may also prove helpful for those suffering from muscle stiffness, spasms, arthritis, and joint pain.
Fights bacterial as well as viral infections: Phenylethanoid glycosides found in Mullein are particularly effective against warding off infections. Research has shown that mullein’s natural compounds are effective at countering viral infections like influenza and herpes simplex. The plant’s extracts are also useful in fighting various bacterial attacks. Acne and Eczema are two conditions where regular consumption of mullein tea is said to be beneficial. Bacteria that could cause pneumonia and bronchitis, among other lung problems, is also a target for mullein’s ingredients. They eat and leave no crumbs!
Good for immunity: With so many nutrients in a single leaf, it’s easy to understand that mullein tea is good for us. The many minerals and vitamins it contains help improve our immunity, while the organic compounds found in it help protect the improved immunity.
Good for the respiratory system: Being an expectorant, Mullein works particularly well when it comes to taking out stubborn cough. Moreover, it is demulcent, meaning it soothes the inner lining of a damaged membrane, helping it repair faster. When you’ve had a daunting cough for a while, your lungs need repairing and rejuvenating. Mullein contains mucilage, which coats the inner lining of these damaged tissues, thus, helping them rebuild. This works on all parts of the system from the nasal cavity to the lungs.
Why is Mullein best had as tea?
But, wait, all the benefits above are benefits that the flower and leaf can provide on their own, and they are edible, so, why do we need to brew a whole tea out of them? Why the extra effort?
There’s a good reason: The tea is actually better for you! Mullein flowers and leaves are especially high in fiber, so much so that in their raw form they may not be conducive to nutrient absorption.
When we boil them, we allow for the other nutrients to easily float into the water and get dissolved. This way, we make use of the extracts we need and not the excess fiber. It also helps that in tea, you can always add other things like sugar, honey, etc., and make it more delectable.
Now, we shall look at mullein tea’s efficacy purely in the case of Sinusitis.
Mullein tea is safe to be consumed daily, and especially when you’re suffering from a stubborn cough that won’t come out easy, you should have it 4-5 times on the peak flu days. Mullein tea is one of the best herbal solutions to stop coughing.
There are no serious side effects to consuming mullein, however, for pregnant women and those with special allergies, it’s always a good idea to run it by your doctor before you try it. There have been off chances where skin rashes have developed on direct contact with the mullein seed. Even then, allergic reactions to the mullein plant’s leaves and flowers aren’t common.
Mostly, mullein tea is safe to consume for all. In the section above, we explored the multiple benefits that Mullein tea has to offer.
Now, we shall look at mullein tea’s efficacy purely in the case of Sinusitis.
Understanding Sinus
30 million Americans were diagnosed with Sinusitis in 2018. (3)
You have probably heard the term before, and we all know that feeling when our noses are blocked.
We have all caught a cold and faced the symptoms- puffy eyes, headache, low energy, fever, sore throat, and a stuffed nose. We may not have sinusitis, but, we have all suffered from an over-worked sinus.
Sinus in itself is not a problem, in fact, it’s a vital organ. Sinuses are cavities or little sacs present throughout our body. They are hollow and have spaces for the body to hold and regulate air.
Our nasal cavity and eyebrows have sinuses right above them. These sinuses in particular are very helpful, they produce mucus which lubricates the air entering our noses and makes it easier for it to flow down our windpipe, and the mucus also doesn’t let pollutants like dirt pass down to the more delicate breathing organs.
The trapped debris will be emptied into the food pipe, where the hydrochloric acid present in our stomachs will break it and remove it.
A regular and healthy functioning sinus membrane keeps our respiratory system clean and efficient.
Now, the problem occurs when the sinuses swell up or there is excess mucus production happening but there isn’t sufficient drainage for the same.
This usually happens when the respiratory system is under attack by a pathogen, triggering higher mucus production, which in turn blocks the sinus. This blockage can also be due to a deformed nasal bone, or genetic predisposition, among other factors.
Most sinusitis issues will clear up on their own within a week. However, in acute sinusitis, it can take well up to 21 days, and for those suffering from chronic sinusitis, it can extend well over 2 months.
As the situation worsens, you may even feel sharp pain develop around your eye sockets as the mucus that has been collected in the cavity exerts pressure all around. Breathing may become a task uphill with most of your outer respiratory organs blocked.
You will need a decongestant to expel the mucus, an anti-inflammatory agent to restore your swollen sinuses back to normalcy, and nutrients that boost your respiration, which is lacking during sinusitis.
And this is where organic mullein tea helps.
There are many over-the-counter pills and nasal rinse saline solutions, which can be used to clear your nasal cavity.
However, mullein tea provides all 3 – relief from swelling, pain, and mucus. Plus, it’s 100% natural.
It’s always a good idea to supplement your medicines with natural relief as well. While we do not advocate that you only rely on natural remedies, creating a lifestyle that keeps your lungs fit will keep you far from needing medical help.
Mullein tea certainly is a part of that lifestyle! A cup a day keeps cough away.
Drinking lots of water, and eating food items that are good for your lungs like tomatoes, pineapples, oranges, mangoes, and turmeric will strengthen your respiratory system to fight against the sinus.
When suffering from a sinus infection, you should also inhale steam and warm compresses to speed up the expulsion process.
A gentle massage over the sinus area 15 minutes a day and sleeping with your pillow tilted higher can ease breathing difficulties.
Conclusion
Mullein is a herb that has traditionally been used for ages to improve overall well-being.
It is rich in minerals, vitamins, and some organic compounds that particularly help your lungs. When in breathing distress, it’s advisable to grab a cup of mullein tea.
Mullein’s medicinal properties don’t just help take your cough and collected mucus out, they also help you with problems like insomnia, anxiety, constipation, and skin allergies, just to name a few. If you suffer from sinusitis, mullein can be your go-to drink, helping you clear your sinusitis ducts before they get clogged and swell up your eyes and face.
Mullein – the herb that helps you breathe. Don’t wait for your sinusitis to get triggered to start with it, prevent its chances today. Hope you’re on your way to brewing that perfect hot tea, get the best mullein tea, and let us know about your first exquisite experience with Mullein tea in the comments!
