Verbasco

Verbascum thapsus L.

Common Mullein has been widely used as a medicinal plant since time immemorial. The leaves and flowers of this plant are expectorant and emollient and used to treat various respiratory problems such as bronchitis, dry cough, catarrh, whooping cough, tuberculosis, asthma and hoarseness. In particular, thanks to its mucilage and saponin content, it is able to promote the expulsion of phlegm and the subsequent sedation of an oily cough. The plant is also said to possess a modest diuretic property and to have a soothing and anti-inflammatory effect on the urinary tract.

Mullein has an interesting variety of chemical constituents. It is worth mentioning verbascoside with anti-inflammatory properties, along with triterpene saponins, polysaccharides, glycosides, flavonoids such as rutin and hesperidin, as well as the 3% of mucilage and tannins. Notable among the glycosides is aucubin to which antiviral properties are attributed.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Faik AK, Zeki A. Revision of the Genus Verbascum L. (Group A) in Turkey. Bot Res J. 2008;1(1):9-32.

Turker AU, Camper ND. Biological activity of common mullein, a medicinal plant. J Ethnopharmacol. 2002; 82:117-125.

Panchal MA, Murti K, Lambole V. Pharmacological properties of Verbascum thapsus. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research. 2010; 5(2):73-77.

Recio M, Giner R, Ma´n˜ez S, Rı´os J. (1994). Structural considerations on the iridoids as anti-inflammatory agents. Planta Med 60:232-4

Schapoval E, Winter de Vargas M, Chaves C, et al. (1998). Antiinflammatory and antinociceptive activities of extracts and isolated compounds from Stachytarpheta cayennensis. J Ethnopharmacol 60:53-9.