Mullein Leaf
Mullein is a tall roadside wildflower most Tennesseans have walked past a hundred times without knowing its name. The dried leaf has been steeped as a tea across folk traditions for centuries.
What It Is
That big, fuzzy-leafed plant growing along roadsides and fence rows all over Middle Tennessee is mullein, and people have been drying its leaves and making tea from them for a very long time. It has a mild, slightly earthy flavor with almost no bitterness, which makes it one of the gentler herbal teas to work with.
Mullein leaf has a long history in folk herbalism, where it was traditionally prepared as a simple tea and used as a quiet, everyday remedy. It pairs well with honey and blends easily with other mild herbs like lemon balm or rose hips.
What To Do
To make a basic mullein tea, use about one to two teaspoons of dried leaf per cup of water. Pour water that is just off the boil over the leaves and steep for ten to fifteen minutes, then strain well through a fine mesh strainer or coffee filter since the tiny leaf fibers can be irritating if left in. Sweeten with honey if you like.
Mullein leaf also works as a background note in herbal tea blends. Store it in a cool, dry spot away from light, and it will hold its character for a good year.
