For mild/moderate COPD, does Mullein tea/tincture help clear lungs?

Posted by minnie528 @minnie528, Sep 5, 2024

Background-RLower lobectomy 8 months ago Stage 1A NCLC w/mild to moderate COPD/Emphazima (not being treated for). I guess I'm still having post surgery effects from lobectomy as far as right rib discomfort, chest tightness, but experiencing some shortness of breath depending on what I'm doing, so I guess I attribute that to the surgery, but also the COPD. I was a smoker for decades, & I still smoke 4-6 a day after no success with patches. Has anyone used Mullein to loosen mucus & to clear lungs, help with breathing etc? You can use it as a tea or a tincture. I want to try it, but am wondering for COPD, have you tried it? I want it to be safe, but effective

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 27 3:22pm

In reply to @mustang1234 "@colleenyoung is it OK to use a nebulizer to take mullein. And get it directly into..." + (show)

@mustang1234 and @romoney1, I would not advise putting mullein in the nebulizer. I'm tagging @sueinmn @scoop and others who know more than I do.

For respiratory issues, it is recommended to take mullein by mouth, either as a tea or capsule. Extracts and oils are used topically for skin irritations and not to be used in a nebulizer.

mustang1234 | @mustang1234 | Nov 27 3:54pm

In reply to @colleenyoung "@mustang1234 and @romoney1, I would not advise putting mullein in the nebulizer. I'm tagging @sueinmn @scoop..." + (show)

@colleenyoung thank you

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Nov 27 6:00pm

In reply to @mustang1234 "@colleenyoung thank you" + (show)

@mustang1234 Colleen is correct - here is an interview with Dr. Madhav Chopra, a pulmonologist at Banner University in Tucson:
https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/teach-me/should-i-use-mullein-leaf-to-clear-out-my-lungs
Mullein may help loosen mucus when used as a tea if you tolerate it. Water extraction of the active ingredients provides the safest method. Because mullein is not a regulated substance, producers are not required to disclose their extraction methods, this in depth article describes the many ways it can be done. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10046334/

The safest, that use minimal chemicals, are the most expensive. So if you decide to buy a tincture or drops, but the highest quality available.

Remember, with COPD, Asthma or Bronchiectasis, your lungs are already compromised, so doing anything potentially harmful can cause worsening symptoms.

PS When I need to help my lungs, I use Breath Easy tea from Traditional Medicinals. It tastes a lot better than mullein, which reminds me of dry grass.

scoop | @scoop | Nov 28 10:42am

When I read about Mullein tea here I decided to try it. Inadvertently, I purchased a larger quantity than intended (20oz or 453 grams of loose tea leaves). That's a lot of tea. I make it as a concentrated tea to use it up. It's earthy tasting and needs honey in my mind to be enjoyable. Sometimes I sip during my neb treatment. I can say it seems marginally helpful. But I do so many other things to support my lungs (albuterol, 7% saline, mucinex, brinsupri) so mullein is part of the cumulative effort.

In no way would I inhale it into my lungs in any form.