This month I am reporting on an herb and how it has addressed some health concerns that are common in the current season of colds and flus. And an uncommon health concern associated with COVID. 

Case Study 1:

My first client is a female in her mid-80’s who was recovering from COVID when I spoke with her; she was feeling weak, tired, and had a lingering, dry, harsh cough that kept her awake at night contributing to her slow recovery. After reviewing her health and medical history and ruling out any adverse interactions with OTC medications or prescriptions (using The Botanical Safety Handbook), I recommended a tea of mullein leaf for this client. Up to 3 cups per day for as long as needed.  After a week of tea consumption this client reported she felt much better.  A couple of months later she developed an upper respiratory infection (non-COVID) with a dry non-productive cough and was able to get relief with use of the mullein tea. 

Mullein Defined:

Mullein is a plant common to North America and grows in poor, gravelly, and disturbed soils with plenty of sun. All parts of the plant – roots, leaves, and flowers – can be used for health benefits which include: 

relaxes lungs, soothes sore lungs, calms asthma, alleviates dry coughs, strengthens bladder muscles, addresses back pain, relieves earaches, tightens tissues of hemorrhoids. 

The leaf of the plant has an affinity for the lungs specifically. Mullein roots and flowers each show affinity for other body systems. 

Case Study 2:

My second client (the sister of client one) is also a female in her 80’s who has a history of asthma. While visiting MN from CO, her asthma was not responding to her usual treatment protocols, so her sister gave her some of the mullein tea, resulting in improvement of the asthma symptoms. A retrospect evaluation of the suitability of mullein for client two indicated that there were no contraindications of use for her. She returned to CO with her own supply of mullein for future needs. 

Case Study 3:

Client three is me. This is my COVID story. Day 0 started early morning with the onset of fever, chills, and the very sudden onset of total urinary incontinence. This did not seem like a urinary tract infection as there were no other symptoms prior to the fever.  Day 0 progressed with fever, frequent episodes of urinary incontinence, and a tightness in my chest with onset of a dry, non-productive cough. I had my first cup of mullein tea with the intent of “getting ahead of the dry, hacking cough” that so often follows COVID. As a bonus, by the end of the day the urinary incontinence totally stopped, and I was back in control of emptying my bladder of my own volition. 

Day 1, a positive COVID test, and an internet search that connected SARS-CoV-2 with  damage to neurons and demyelinating the nerves that control bowel and bladder continence.   

Day 2, my fever was declining, the cough persisted especially at night, but was no longer harsh, dry, hacking, painful, or continuous. Day 3, was fever-free, feeling better, yet fatigued. Continued use of mullein tea on day 3 and no lingering night time cough.  

Mullein leaf is not for all coughs. Each cough has its own characteristics and there are an “endless” variety of plants to meet the conditions of each. Mullein root is the part of the plant recorded to have affinity for the urinary tract by strengthening bladder muscles.  My current take-away is the whole plant provides support toward balance where needed in the body. 

Your comments and questions are welcome.  If the format of “Case Reports” is beneficial, and you would enjoy more of this type of article please let me know. If you have questions regarding use of herbs for specific health concerns, I would love to review those as well.