Mullein Tea: What Research Shows About the Tea, Safety and Cautions
Mullein tea is a herbal infusion of the flower or leaf, used for sore throat and cough. What the EU says, why no trials of the tea exist, and the cautions for pregnancy and children.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read herbal tea and extract safety before you use anything on this page.
Check before you drink: not recommended in pregnancy, while breastfeeding, or for children under 12 (EU monograph, because safety data are lacking) [2]; skip it if you are allergic to the plant [2]; and a cough with fever, shortness of breath or pus-colored phlegm needs a clinician, not a tea [2]. Mullein tea is a herbal infusion (a tisane) made from the flowers or leaves of the mullein plant. It contains no tea-plant leaf. This page covers the TEA ITSELF and keeps it apart from capsules, extracts, ear drops and creams.
What mullein tea is
Mullein is Verbascum thapsus L., in the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae). [4] The part used matters: the EU herbal monograph covers the dried flower (and two close relatives, V. densiflorum and V. phlomoides), while many consumer sources also describe leaf tea. [2][7][8] A 2022 review says mullein has long been used for lung, skin and throat complaints, especially as a soothing and astringent herb. [3] That is traditional use, not proof. The plant is also covered as a supplement-level herb in Mullein. The word "tisane" is explained in Tisane vs Tea.Taste, caffeine and how to brew
| Question | What sources say |
|---|---|
| Taste | WebMD says accounts vary: some people find it slightly bitter and earthy, others mildly sweet. [7] Healthline calls it rich and aromatic. [8] |
| Caffeine per 8 fl oz (240 mL) cup | Proper evidence not found. The sources we read give no caffeine figure or caffeine statement for mullein. Mullein is not a tea-plant (Camellia sinensis) leaf; we did not find a source that measures it, so we make no claim. |
| Water and steeping time | The EU monograph says "boiling water" and a herbal infusion, but gives no steeping time. [2] WebMD says steep 10 to 15 minutes; Healthline says 15 to 30 minutes. [7][8] These are consumer health websites, not regulators, and they disagree. |
| Amount per cup | EU monograph (EMA/HMPC, revised 2018): 1.5 to 2 g of the dried flower in 150 mL (about 5 fl oz) boiling water, three to four times daily; daily total 4.5 to 8 g. [2] This describes authorized products. It is information, not advice for any reader. Consumer sites suggest 1 to 2 teaspoons or tablespoons of dried leaf per cup. [7][8] |
| Straining | WebMD and Healthline both say the plant's tiny hairs can irritate the throat, so strain well with a coffee filter or cheesecloth. [7][8] The EU monograph does not mention straining. [2] |
| Cold brew / iced | Proper evidence not found. |
| Very hot drinks | No source we read ties mullein tea to hot-drink risk. For hot drinks in general see Hot Tea and Esophageal Cancer Risk. |
What research found about the tea itself
| Question | What the source found | Strength of evidence | Form and who was studied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sore throat with dry cough and cold | The EU committee (HMPC) accepts mullein flower as a traditional herbal medicine for this use, based on long-standing use, and noted that clinical studies are lacking. [1][2] We found no trial of mullein tea in a search of Europe PMC. | Insufficient evidence (a regulatory category based on tradition, not trial proof) | Dried flower as an herbal tea; adults and adolescents over 12 [1] |
| Anything else, for the tea itself | Proper evidence not found for trials of the tea itself. | Insufficient evidence | n/a |
| Ear pain with middle-ear infection (ear drops) | 103 children aged 6 to 18 given a four-herb oil (garlic, mullein, calendula, St. John's wort) had pain scores that improved, as with anesthetic ear drops. [5] The result cannot be credited to mullein. | Extract only (multi-herb ear drops) | Oil put into the ear, not a drink |
| Wound healing after childbirth (cream) | In 93 first-time mothers, a mullein cream was reported as effective against placebo cream for healing episiotomy wounds. [6] | Extract only (cream, one trial) | Cream put on a wound, not a drink |
| Antiviral, antibacterial, antioxidant effects | A 2022 review lists these in laboratory and animal studies. [3] | Lab or animal only | Extracts in the lab |
Limits: there are no trials of mullein tea. The two human trials we read tested products that are not drinks, one of them a mix of four herbs. Healthline, citing mostly test-tube and animal work, makes the same point. [8] Lab results do not show what a cup does in a person; see Herbal Tea: Human vs Lab Research.
Check before you drink
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. The EU monograph says safety has not been established and use is not recommended. [2] See Pregnancy Teas to Ask About.
- Babies and children. The EU monograph does not recommend use under 12 because data are lacking. [2] See Herbal Tea for Babies and Children.
- Medicines. The monograph lists interactions as "none reported." [2] That means none were found, not that none exist. WebMD says few interactions are known. [7] See Herbal Tea and Medicine Interactions.
- Allergy. The monograph lists hypersensitivity to the plant as a contraindication. [2] Stop and get care for hives, swelling or trouble breathing (call 911 in the US). WebMD notes a rare skin rash from handling the plant. [7] See Allergy and Cross-Reactions.
- Side effects. None were reported at the time of the EU assessment and none are known in the monograph; no overdose case has been reported. [1][2] This reflects reports, not proof of safety.
- When to get help. See a doctor or other qualified practitioner if symptoms last longer than 1 week or worsen, or if breathlessness, fever or pus-colored sputum occurs. [1][2] A cough in a child or an ear problem needs a clinician.
- Liver, kidney, iron, surgery, contaminants (lead, pesticides). Not described in the sources we read. Not described is not proof of none. See Herbal Tea Before Surgery.
Tea, capsule or extract?
A cup of mullein tea is a water infusion of the dried flower or leaf. Extracts, tinctures and oils are different products, and the two trials above used oil and cream, not tea. Results for one form do not carry over to another. The EU monograph covers only the herbal tea (comminuted flower). [2] See Tea vs Tincture vs Capsule and the herb page Mullein.Buying and storing
- Check the label for the Latin name (Verbascum thapsus) and the part (flower or leaf), because studies and the EU monograph refer to the flower. [2] See Reading an Herbal Tea Label.
- Choose products meant for tea and stay away from wild-picked plants unless you are certain of the plant; we give no identification advice.
- Storage and shelf life: see Storing Herbal Tea. No mullein-specific figure was found.
Related pages
What research found and what to check: Mullein Tea
Findings about drinking the tea itself, kept apart from capsules, extracts and concentrated supplements. Each card says what was studied, in whom, and how strong the evidence is.
Mullein tea and sore throat with dry cough and cold (traditional use)
Preliminary or mixedThe EU herbal committee accepts mullein flower tea as a traditional herbal medicine for sore throat with dry cough and cold in adults and adolescents over 12. It is based on long use, and the committee noted a lack of clinical studies.
Supplements: Proper evidence not found for trials of the tea itself; EU status rests on traditional use.
Mullein tea, lab and animal findings (antiviral, antibacterial, antioxidant)
Lab or animal research onlyA 2022 review lists antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other effects in experimental studies.
Supplements: Lab or animal only; not shown in people.
Mullein oil in ear drops for ear pain (multi-herb extract, not tea)
Not enough evidenceIn 103 children aged 6 to 18, a four-herb ear oil (garlic, mullein, calendula, St. John's wort) improved ear pain similarly to anesthetic ear drops. The result cannot be credited to mullein.
Supplements: Extract only; multi-herb product.
Mullein cream and wound healing after childbirth (cream, not tea)
Preliminary or mixedIn a placebo-controlled trial of 93 first-time mothers, a mullein cream was reported to help episiotomy wounds heal over 10 days.
Supplements: Extract only; topical cream, one trial.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Body systems (2)
- Respiratory HealthPreliminary or mixed
Traditional use for sore throat with dry cough and cold in the EU; the committee noted clinical studies are lacking. No trial of the tea was found.
- Respiratory SystemPreliminary or mixed
Traditional use only for throat and cough symptoms (EU regulatory category); not shown in trials of the tea.
Functional actions (1)
- Respiratory SupportPreliminary or mixed
Same traditional use; effect in people not shown.
Conditions & symptoms (2)
- Dry CoughPreliminary or mixed
The EU use is for sore throat associated with dry cough and cold; based on long use, not trials.
- Sore ThroatPreliminary or mixed
EU traditional use for sore throat with dry cough and cold; clinical studies are lacking and no trial of the tea was found.
Documented risks and interactions (6)
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. The EU monograph says safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established and use is not recommended. No fertility data are available.
- Babies and children under 12. The EU monograph does not recommend mullein flower tea under 12 years because adequate data are lacking.
- Allergy to the plant. Hypersensitivity to mullein is a contraindication in the EU monograph. WebMD notes a rare skin rash from handling the plant.
- Fine plant hairs: strain the tea well. WebMD and Healthline say the plant's tiny hairs can irritate the throat if they get into the cup, and advise straining through a coffee filter or cheesecloth. The EU monograph does not mention it.
- Medicines, side effects and overdose: none reported. The EU monograph lists interactions as none reported, undesirable effects as none known, and no overdose case reported.
- Persistent or worsening symptoms need a clinician. The EU committee says to see a doctor if symptoms last longer than 1 week or worsen, or if breathlessness, fever or pus-colored sputum occurs.
Frequently asked questions
Does mullein tea help a cough or sore throat?
The EU accepts mullein flower for sore throat with dry cough and cold on the basis of long use, but the committee noted clinical studies are lacking. [1][2] We found no trial of the tea. It may feel soothing, but that is not proof it treats anything.
Is mullein tea safe in pregnancy or for children?
The EU monograph does not recommend it in pregnancy or breastfeeding, or under age 12, because safety data are lacking. [2]
Why do I need to strain mullein tea?
WebMD and Healthline say the plant's fine hairs can irritate the throat, so they advise a fine filter or cheesecloth. [7][8] These are consumer health sites, and the EU monograph is silent on this.
Is mullein tea caffeine-free?
We found no source that measures or states caffeine in mullein, so we do not give a figure. It is not made from the tea plant.
Can I take mullein tea with my medicines?
The EU monograph lists no reported interactions, which is not proof there are none. [2] Ask a pharmacist.
References
- European Medicines Agency. Verbasci flos - herbal medicinal product (public summary). Read 2026-10-23.
- European Medicines Agency, HMPC. European Union herbal monograph on Verbascum thapsus L., V. densiflorum Bertol. (V. thapsiforme Schrad) and V. phlomoides L., flos, EMA/HMPC/611537/2016, revised 27 March 2018. Read 2026-10-23.
- Gupta A, Atkinson AN, Pandey AK, Bishayee A. Health-promoting and disease-mitigating potential of Verbascum thapsus L. (common mullein): a review. Phytother Res. 2022. PubMed 35088467 (abstract read). Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Secretariat. Verbascum thapsus L., GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Accepted name, family Scrophulariaceae. Read 2026-10-23.
- Sarrell EM, Cohen HA, Kahan E. Efficacy of naturopathic extracts in the management of ear pain associated with acute otitis media. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2001. PubMed 11434846 (abstract read). Read 2026-10-23.
- Ghaderi M, et al. The effect of the Verbascum thapsus on episiotomy wound healing in nulliparous women: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2021. PubMed 34103042 (abstract read). Read 2026-10-23.
- WebMD (consumer health site). Health Benefits of Mullein Tea. Medically reviewed 27 January 2025. Read 2026-10-23.
- Healthline (consumer health site). Mullein Tea: Benefits and Side Effects. Updated 23 May 2025. Read 2026-10-23.