The listing, Mullein - an amazingly useful plant has ended.
A very versatile and valuable "weed", mullein (which loves in dry, barren places as well as thriving in the garden) has been used for centuries for the outstanding healing properties found in its roots, leaves, and flowers,
Originally from Europe, the plant has naturalized across N. America. The mere fact that it has several dozen names names ( 'cowboy TP', 'cow’s lungwort', 'hag's candlewick' and 'old man’s flannel') gives some idea of how useful folks have found it over the centuries -- Romans used it for dye (yellow, green & brown), peasants used it to treat their animals, lined their shoes with the leaves, & dipped the stalks in tallow to make torches, Victorian ladies used it as a rouge substitute, etc.
Native Americans used the leaves of the mullein plant to ease respiratory discomfort - as a tea or by smoking it...perhaps they used it as "flannel" too.
There are dozens and dozens of herbal remedies that use mullein. Among the uses most often cited: "mullein tea is an effective way of treating respiratory conditions, asthma, bronchitis, and allergies. It is effective for sore throats and coughs. A mullein poultice soothes skin irritations, rashes, & boils, & can be used for bruises & to relieve arthritic and rheumatic conditions."
Mullein tea is simple to make. Just steep the leaves in hot water. For a sweeter taste, the flowers can be added.
Interesting factoids:
Mullein is a biennial plant - the first year it forms a low-growing rosette of wonderful fuzzy leaves. The following year it sends up a tall flower spike (6 ft or more) with yellow flowers.
Some obsessed seed counter figured out that a single mullein plant produces 180,000 to 200,000 seeds - there are 250,000 seeds in an ounce.
They've figured out (don't know how) that mullein seeds can survive for a 100 years.
The lucky winner will get a whole bunch of teeny tiny seeds. Can't count them...can barely see them. AND a digital version of the results of my research & googling.