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Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a plant that has been valued for centuries for its soothing and healing properties, especially when it comes to supporting respiratory health. With its tall flowering stalks and soft, fuzzy leaves, mullein is easy to identify and even easier to put to use in your natural medicine cabinet.
A mullein tincture is one of the most convenient ways to preserve and use this herb. By steeping the dried or fresh leaves and flowers in alcohol, the plant’s beneficial compounds are extracted and concentrated, creating a potent herbal remedy that can last for years.
Traditionally, mullein tincture is used to ease coughs, soothe sore throats, calm bronchial irritation, and support overall lung health. It’s also known for its mild anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, making it a go-to during cold and flu season.
In the steps below, you’ll learn exactly how to make your own mullein tincture at home, how to store it, and how to use it safely and effectively.
This makes around 4 to 6 ounces.
Have you ever seen a mullein plant?
Mullein is a tall, stately biennial herb that’s easy to spot in open fields, roadsides, and sunny meadows. In its first year, it grows as a low rosette of large, soft, fuzzy leaves that feel almost like felt to the touch.
By its second year, the plant sends up a tall flowering stalk—sometimes reaching six feet or more—covered in clusters of small, yellow blossoms. It grows abundantly as a naturalized wild herb. You’ll often find it thriving in poor, dry soils and disturbed areas, proving just how resilient it is.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup mullein
- About 1 cup of at least 80% proof vodka OR ¾ cup vegetable glycerin and ¼ cup water
- Cheesecloth
- Glass jar
- 4 oz glass bottle
Instructions
- Add your mullein to a glass jar.
- Fill the rest of the jar with alcohol OR the glycerin and water. Make sure to cover everything so it doesn’t mold.
- Add a
parchment paper between the lid and label it.
- Leave for 6 to 8 weeks, shaking every day.
- Strain with a
cheesecloth . Put into your tincture jar and enjoy!
DIY Mullein Tincture
Equipment
- Cheesecloth
- Glass jar
- 4 oz glass bottle
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup mullein
- About 1 cup of at least 80% proof vodka OR ¾ cup vegetable glycerin and ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Add your mullein to a glass jar.
- Fill the rest of the jar with alcohol OR the glycerin and water. Make sure to cover everything so it doesn’t mold.
- Add a parchment paper between the lid and label it.
- Leave for 6 to 8 weeks, shaking every day.
- Strain with a cheesecloth. Put into your tincture jar and enjoy!
