The common mullein is a biennial, growing with a similar habit to rose campion in that it forms a basal rosette the first year and a flower stalk in the second year. The leaves are arrange spirally with dense hairs that give it a velvety or soft appearance. The flowers develop into a capsule containing numerous small seeds. The dried flower stalks can be used as fire drill to start fires and the leaves can be used as a lamp wick. The fine hairs on the leaves can be an irritant, so you may want to use gloves when harvesting and the seeds are not edible so do not consume them.
The primary uses of mullein are to use both the leaves and flowers as a tea or to smoke the leaves and flowers and inhale the vapors to help with assorted head and chest illnesses. For instance, WebMD lists that mullein’s leaves and flowers can be used for treating cough, bronchitis, hoarseness, pneumonia, earaches, colds, flu, chills, fever, tonsillitis, allergies, whooping cough, and tuberculosis. It also sites other uses for migraines, joint pain, asthma, diarrhea, colic, gastrointestinal bleeding, and gout. Furthermore, it can also be used as a mild sedative and diuretic, removing fluids from the body. When applied to the skin, for instance as a tincture or decoction, mullein can be used to treat wounds, hemorrhoids, bruises, frostbite, burns, and skin infections. This is so because there are chemicals in mullein that have applications in fighting the influenza and herpes viruses and some bacteria that cause respiratory infections.
So when the flu season hits, be sure you are familiar with this fine herb!