Mullein
A Soft, Soothing Herb for Irritated Skin and Scalp
Mullein, Verbascum thapsus, is a fuzzy, gray-green biennial plant easily recognized by its large, velvety leaves and tall flowering stalks topped with bright yellow blooms. It grows readily in open fields, meadows, and along roadsides and has been used for centuries across Europe and North America. Native American tribes and early European settlers both valued mullein as a versatile medicinal and personal-care plant.
Mullein leaves contain naturally occurring saponins, plant compounds known for their gentle, soap-like cleansing and foaming properties. Historically, the tall flower stalks were burned as torches, and the ashes—rich in these cleansing compounds—were sometimes collected and used as an early form of shampoo. This long history reflects mullein’s association with cleansing, comfort, and skin support.
Common mullein was brought to North America by the Puritans, who used it extensively as a soothing and healing herb, particularly for irritated skin and inflammatory conditions. Today, mullein remains valued in topical skin and hair care for its unique combination of saponins, mucilage, and soothing plant compounds.
Why Mullein Is Soothing: Understanding Mucilage
One of mullein’s most important characteristics is its high content of mucilage in its leaves. Mucilage is a group of large carbohydrate (sugar-based) molecules found in certain plants. When mucilage comes into contact with water, it swells and forms a soft, slippery, gel-like substance. On the skin and scalp, this gel:
- coats the surface gently
- reduces rubbing friction and irritation
- helps hold moisture against the skin or hair
- creates a protective, soothing barrier
This is why mucilage-rich herbs like mullein and marsh mallow root are traditionally used for inflamed, itchy, dry, or irritated skin and scalp conditions, including eczema and dermatitis.
Topical Skin Care Benefits of Mullein
Mullein leaves and flowers have long been infused in oil for use on troubled or sensitive skin. Their combination of mucilage, mild astringency, and antimicrobial compounds makes mullein especially useful for calming and supporting compromised skin.
- Soothes Irritation & Inflammation: Helps reduce redness, itching, and discomfort associated with irritated skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, and minor rashes
- Deep Hydration: The mucilage acts as both an emollient and humectant, helping skin retain moisture while forming a protective layer that reduces dryness and flakiness
- Supports Healing: Natural antimicrobial properties help protect compromised skin and support the healing of minor cuts, scrapes, and skin irritations
- Toning & Astringent Action: Mullein has mild astringent properties that help tone the skin, refine texture, and support skin elasticity
Traditionally, mullein has also been used topically for burns, insect bites, and sore joints due to its soothing and softening nature.
Hair & Scalp Benefits of Mullein
In hair care, mullein is valued for its ability to hydrate, soothe, and add slip, making it especially helpful for dry hair and irritated scalps.
- Soothes Scalp Irritation: Anti-inflammatory compounds help calm itchy, irritated scalp conditions, including dandruff and scalp eczema
- Moisturizes & Softens Hair: The mucilage provides deep hydration, improving softness and flexibility while reducing brittleness
- Adds Slip & Detangles: The gel-like nature of mucilage coats the hair shaft, reducing friction and making hair easier to detangle
- Supports Scalp Health: By calming irritation and nourishing follicles with naturally occurring vitamins and minerals, mullein helps create a healthier scalp environment for hair growth
How We Use Mullein
Mullein supports skin and scalp comfort in various ways, depending on its preparation method. We choose the form that best matches the needs of each product.
Mullein Infused in Oil
When mullein leaf is infused in oil, the process extracts oil-soluble compounds that help soothe irritation and support skin repair. Â While mullein's mucilage is water-soluble and not present in oil infusions, the resulting infusion still offers gentle, skin-calming benefits that make it especially useful in body oils, healing balms, and salves designed for dry, sensitive, or easily irritated skin.
Mullein Infused in Water
When mullein leaf or flower is infused in water, the mucilage is released, creating a soft, slippery infusion that helps calm irritation and support moisture retention.
We use water infusions of mullein as the liquid in soapmaking, allowing the mucilage to contribute gentle moisturizing and skin-comforting properties
Mullein is a classic comfort herb—soft, gentle, and deeply supportive. Its high mucilage content, combined with its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, makes it especially valuable in products designed to soothe irritated skin, ease itching, calm eczema-prone areas, and support dry, dandruff-prone scalps.
