foraging Michigan plants

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is one of the most valuable wild plants a forager or plant‑medicine enthusiast can know. It thrives where other plants struggle—poor fields, sandy soil, waste areas, and sun‑baked ground. You’ll often find it along railroad tracks, abandoned lots, and dry open spaces where its unmistakable form stands out.

In its first year, mullein grows as a low rosette of large, gray‑green, fuzzy leaves. These soft, felted leaves are one of its most recognizable features. In the second year, it sends up a tall flowering stalk that can reach six feet or more, topped with bright yellow blossoms from July through September.

Mullein has a long history in traditional herbalism, especially for respiratory health. The leaves and flowers make a soothing tea that supports the lungs, acts as an expectorant, and calms irritated mucus membranes. It has been used for chest colds, asthma, bronchitis, and persistent coughs. The yellow flowers infused in honey create a highly effective natural cough syrup. The same flowers soaked in warm olive oil have been used as a classic remedy for earaches.

Modern herbalists value mullein for its antiviral, antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti‑tumor properties. Its antimicrobial nature is one reason it performs so well as a wound dressing. The leaves can be used as makeshift bandages or gauze, and their strong anti‑inflammatory action makes them useful for wrapping sprains or twisted ankles. Some foragers even place a leaf in the sole of a boot for a mild energizing effect during long treks.

Mullein also offers a double‑duty poultice system. First‑year leaves can be mashed into a poultice and applied directly to wounds. Larger second‑year leaves can then be wrapped around the poultice to hold it in place. The plant’s tall dried stalks have their own uses: they can be turned into hand‑drill spindles for firecraft, and the leaves can be charred to make excellent char cloth. In winter, the dead stalks make mullein easy to locate even under snow.

The plant’s root has been used traditionally for certain types of lung support and musculoskeletal issues. Some herbalists dig it in late fall or winter when the plant’s energy has returned to the root.

Mullein’s yellow flowers and dried leaves have also been used in steam inhalations, and historically, some cultures smoked small amounts of dried mullein leaf to soothe the lungs. The plant contains compounds that help open the airways and calm irritation.

A few cautions are worth noting. The leaves are covered in fine hairs that can be itchy or irritating to some people, especially when handled fresh. These hairs are also why mullein leaves should not be used as a water filter, despite occasional claims—those hairs can irritate the throat if ingested. When making teas or infusions, strain thoroughly through a fine cloth to remove the hairs.

Despite these cautions, mullein remains one of the most versatile and generous plants in the wild landscape. From medicine to firecraft to field‑expedient first aid, it is a cornerstone species for anyone serious about foraging, herbalism, or survival skills.