Benedryl was prescribed as an anti-inflammatory measure. It did thin mucus in my lungs and sinuses, but 8-10 hours later, mucus that was even thicker, and sticky, formed. My initial reaction to Mullein tea had a similar boomerang effect but much milder. I'm starting out with a weaker dosage and will increase it if I build tolerance. The chronic inflammatory response is a silent killer, and I am grateful that, for now anyway, my body is calming down.