Question about mullein

@lvnl Here is one of a number of on-going discussions on the subject:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mac-medication-side-effects/

@sueinmn thank you! I knew I had seen folks talking this but couldn't find the conversation(s)!

Speaking for myself, if on multiple therapies like the tea, Manuka Honey, Brinsupri and dietary changes, it’s impossible for me to isolate what has helped my improvement? But I have a definite positive improvement overall with everything.. I was diagnosed with BE and MAC mid October.I was toward the end of a nine week antibiotic regimen when I started the Brinsupri Dec 4th. In January came the tea and honey. So I think cumulatively I’m very optimistic moving forward.

Thank you. I appreciate hearing what is working to get you improving and glad you are on that path!

I have been taking the loose tea of Mullen for five or six weeks now. Prior to starting the Mullen, I could never bring up the phlegm. Mullen started to work almost immediately for me by thinning out the mucus. I no longer have the sticky thick phlegm That causes so many problems. I cough a lot. But I am able to bring up the mucus. I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis October 10 of 2025. I was hospitalized for five days. I am supposed to be doing the Pulmicort nebulizer and the Mucomyst nebulizer every day. But I don’t do that. I am still short of breath and fatigued. But I feel as though that is getting better. I also do the Stialto inhaler.

@maryrn7 can you explain why you don’t nebulize pulmicort? Do you have mild asthma? I have mild asthma and although I have BE and MAC( treated) it was decided I would benefit from pulmicort- otherwise I am short of breath and have tight chest with a sensation as if wearing too tight bra. Pulmicort helps me definitely. Sometimes we weigh the risk and benefits of steroids. Talk to your doctor. I was told if the inflamation improves I might be able to stop using it. I also use bevespi- long lasting and levalbuterol- short lasting bronchodilator.

@maryrn7 That's actually a remarkable progress in that short of time (since diagnosis). Considering you (or at least most of us) have had the condition, with sticky mucous blockage, long before fully symptomatic. For you to begin to clear your airways after only a few weeks, is a huge improvement, so good for you! I find mullein loose leaf tea really helps also - I brew it kind of strong twice a day, and keep sipping it.

I meant this as a reply to original post:
That's actually a remarkable progress in that short of time (since diagnosis). Considering you (or at least most of us) have had the condition, with sticky mucous blockage, long before fully symptomatic. For you to begin to clear your airways after only a few weeks, is a huge improvement, so good for you! I find mullein loose leaf tea really helps also - I brew it kind of strong, twice a day, and keep sipping it.

@maryrn7 Where do you obtain your loose mullein tea? On-line or locally. I'm using tea bags obtained on line. A nieghborhood health food store carries it in bulk and I'm afraid that the person using the scoop before me might be after a remedy for their flu virus. So no thank you!

@snoei I think you can relax about being infected by the previous scoop user - once you boil the tea, it should be pretty well sterile.
Of course, I always use hand sanitizer as soon as I walk out of any store...