How to Make Mullein Tea: An Herbal Brewing Guide

Co-authored by Jessica Gibson Reviewed by Ollie George Cigliano

Last Updated: October 18, 2024 Fact Checked

Mullein is an herbalist's go-to plant for respiratory conditions and it's no wonder why! In traditional medicine, mullein flowers and leaves are used for coughs, colds, bronchitis, and the flu. If you'd like to try your hand at brewing mullein tea, we've got you covered! In this article, we'll walk you through the process of steeping and flavoring mullein so you get the perfect cup.

Things You Should Know

Use a ratio of 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 g) of dried mullein for every 1 cup (240 ml) of water.
Steep the mullein tea for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain the tea through a filter to remove leafy solids.
Drink up to 4 cups (950 ml) of mullein tea a day to soothe a sore throat or relieve a cough.

Section 1 of 4:

Simple Mullein Tea Recipe

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1
Place 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 g) of dried mullein in a pot. Use 1 teaspoon (5 g) for weaker tea that has a milder taste. If you'd like stronger mullein tea, put 2 teaspoons (10 g) in a small pot or a heat-safe container that's easy to pour from.
- Use the leaves, the yellow flowers, or a combination if you're harvesting your own mullein. Brewing with just the flowers makes sweeter tea.
- It is possible to use fresh mullein leaves, but you'll need to steep the tea for 20 to 30 minutes and it won't be as strong.
- If you'd like to make a larger batch, feel free to double or triple the amount of mullein leaves. Just remember to add more water, too!
Add boiling water and steep the tea for 10 to 15 minutes. Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of water over the dried mullein. Then, cover the pot and let the tea steep—the longer it steeps, the stronger it will be. The tea also cools a little as it steeps so it will be perfect for sipping!

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3
Strain the tea through a coffee filter. Line a fine-mesh strainer with a coffee filter or cheesecloth. Set the strainer over a serving mug and slowly pour the mullein tea through the filter. The filter catches prickly hairs from the leaves.^{[1]
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- It's fine to serve the tea unfiltered, but many people find that the tiny hairs scratch their throats.

Section 2 of 4:

What are good flavor pairings for mullein tea?

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Mint adds a fresh flavor that can mask mullein's earthy taste. Mint or spearmint hides the natural flavor of mullein—add a few fresh mint leaves or drop 1 mint tea bag into the pot with the dried mullein.^{[2]
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- Breathe in the steam from the tea so you inhale the peppermint oils. Peppermint contains menthol which is effective in soothing a cough.^{[3]
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  Go to source}
- Experiment with herbal additions to your mullein tea—add a small spoonful of dried rosehips, hibiscus, or chamomile for instance. Rosehips and hibiscus are high in antioxidants which can help your immune system recover from illness.^{[4]
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  Go to source}. Although more research is needed, chamomile is an effective cold remedy.^{[5]
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2
Add honey or maple syrup to your mullein tea for a little sweetness. Honey has been used for thousands of years to treat colds. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, but if you don't like honey, you've still got lots of options for sweetening your tea. Here are a few things you could add to sweeten your mullein tea:
- Fruit juice
- Simple syrup
- Flavored syrup like vanilla syrup
- Stevia
- Agave syrup

Section 3 of 4:

How much tea should I drink to treat respiratory issues?

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Drink up to 4 cups (950 ml) of mullein tea a day. If you're trying to fight a cold, cough, or the flu, feel free to drink up to 4 cups (950 ml) of mullein tea until your symptoms resolve.
- If you're drinking mullein tea just to enjoy the flavor, feel free to drink occasionally.

Section 4 of 4:

What are the health benefits of mullein tea?

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Mullein tea has anti-inflammatory properties which may treat respiratory conditions. Studies show that mullein is effective at relieving cold, flu, and asthma symptoms.^{[6]
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Research source} Mullein is also thought to be a remedy for urinary tract infections because it has antibacterial and antiviral properties.
- Mullein is considered to be very safe, so most people don't experience any side effects.^{[7]
  X
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  Go to source} However, if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor about whether or not you should drink mullein tea since more research is needed.

Community Q&A

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Question

Can tea be made out of the root?

HisGirlFriday

Community Answer

Most herbalists scrub the root, dehydrate it, chop it, and use it to make a mullein tincture instead of tea.

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Tips

Transfer leftover tea to a storage container and refrigerate it for up to 1 day.^{[8]
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Research source} You can drink it over ice or reheat it in a mug.

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Consider adding a squeeze of lemon juice to get vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and folate.^{[9]
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Warnings

Always consult with your primary care doctor before treating any health issues with herbal remedies. Your primary care doctor can help ensure that you won't experience any side effects or interactions with any herbal supplements or medications that you're currently taking (or have used in the past).

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