There is something incredibly grounding about stepping outside and harvesting medicine directly from the land.
Recently, a few friends and I took our kids out to my parents’ land in Black Forest to spend some time harvesting mullein. The area is rich with it, and it grows abundantly there every year. We brought simple baskets for collecting and scissors to make cutting the leaves easy, and the kids had a blast helping us gather the plants.
One of my favorite parts of harvesting mullein is the flowers. When you pick them, they have this beautiful sweet citrus scent that honestly surprised me the first time I noticed it.
What I love most about mullein is how simple it is to harvest and use. Whether you’re drying it for tea, making tinctures, or exploring other traditional uses, it’s one of the most accessible medicinal plants to work with.
And the best part? The earth provides these plants freely for us.
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Benefits of Mullein for the Respiratory System
Mullein has been used for centuries as a traditional herbal remedy, particularly for supporting respiratory health.
The leaves and flowers contain compounds that help:
• soothe irritated airways
• loosen mucus in the lungs
• support easier breathing
• calm coughs and throat irritation
Because of these properties, mullein is often used as a natural support for conditions like:
• coughs
• bronchial irritation
• congestion
• seasonal respiratory discomfort
The plant acts as both an expectorant and demulcent, meaning it helps break up mucus while also soothing inflamed tissue.
Many people find mullein tea especially comforting when dealing with throat irritation or respiratory issues.
Other Traditional Benefits of Mullein
While mullein is best known for respiratory support, it has a long history of other uses as well.
Circulation Support
Some herbal traditions suggest mullein may help increase circulation to certain areas of the body, which is why it has historically been used in oils and topical preparations.
Historical Use by Native Americans
One fascinating historical use comes from Native American communities, who reportedly placed mullein leaves inside their moccasins during the winter.
The leaves are incredibly soft and insulating, and they helped keep feet warm in cold conditions.
Nature really does provide solutions in the most unexpected ways.
Always Be Certain Before Harvesting Any Plant
Before harvesting mullein—or any wild plant—it’s important to be completely confident in your identification.
If you are not 100% sure that the plant is what you believe it is, do not harvest it and do not ingest it.
Many plants in nature can look similar at first glance, especially to beginners who are just starting to learn about foraging and medicinal plants. Proper identification is essential for safety.
If you’re ever unsure, take the time to:
• Consult a reputable plant identification guide
• Compare multiple identification markers (leaf shape, flower structure, growth pattern)
• Ask an experienced forager or herbalist
• Bring photos to a local plant expert or extension office
There is absolutely no harm in slowing down and learning before harvesting. Responsible foraging always starts with education and respect for the plants you’re working with.
When you approach harvesting with patience and curiosity, you not only stay safe—you also develop a deeper connection and understanding of the natural world around you.
Step-by-Step Guide to Harvesting Mullein
Harvesting mullein is extremely simple, which is one of the reasons I love teaching people about it.
What You’ll Need
• A basket or bag for collecting
• Scissors or garden snips
• A sunny day for harvesting
Step 1: Identify the Plant
Mullein is easy to recognize.
It has:
• large fuzzy leaves
• a tall central stalk when mature
• bright yellow flowers growing up the stalk
The leaves are thick, soft, and covered in tiny hairs.
Step 2: Harvest the Leaves
Use scissors to cut healthy leaves near the base of the plant.
Avoid leaves that are:
• discolored
• insect damaged
• overly wilted
Place the leaves gently in your basket so they don’t get crushed.
Step 3: Harvest the Flowers
If the plant is flowering, gently collect the small yellow flowers.
These flowers are incredibly fragrant and have a sweet citrus smell that’s hard to miss once you notice it.
Both the leaves and flowers are commonly used in herbal preparations.
When to Harvest Mullein in Colorado
If you’re planning on harvesting mullein in Colorado, timing matters depending on which part of the plant you want to use.
Mullein is a biennial plant, meaning it grows in two stages over two years. During the first year, the plant forms a low rosette of soft, fuzzy leaves close to the ground. In the second year, it sends up the tall flowering stalk most people recognize.
Best Harvest Time by Plant Part
Leaves:
Mullein leaves can be harvested from late spring through early fall, but they are best gathered before the plant fully sends up its tall flower stalk. First-year rosettes are ideal because the leaves are tender, soft, and easy to collect.
Flowers:
Mullein flowers typically bloom mid-to-late summer (July through September) in Colorado. The flowers open daily along the tall stalk, so if you want to collect them, it’s best to harvest them frequently as they bloom.
Where Mullein Grows in Colorado
Mullein thrives in dry, sunny environments, and you’ll commonly find it growing along roadsides, open fields, gravelly soil, and other disturbed areas. Once you start recognizing the plant, you’ll likely notice it popping up all over the place.
Sustainable Harvesting
Because mullein is a biennial plant, it’s important to harvest responsibly. Try to take only a few leaves from each plant, leaving plenty behind so the plant can continue growing, survive the winter, and eventually flower.
Harvesting mullein in this way helps ensure the plant continues to thrive for years to come.
How to Use Mullein After Harvesting
Once you’ve finished harvesting mullein, there are a few great ways to use it.
My personal favorite is tea, but tinctures and drying for storage are also very common.
Drying Mullein for Tea
Drying mullein is incredibly easy.
Step 1
After washing the leaves lay them in a single layer in a dry, well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight.
Step 2
Allow them to dry completely over several days.
You’ll know they’re ready when they become crisp.
Step 3
Store the dried leaves in an airtight jar.
Check out this super cute drying rack for herbs!
Important Note About Mullein Tea
Mullein leaves contain tiny hairs that can irritate the throat if they pass into your tea.
Because of this, you must use a very fine mesh strainer.
Personally, I recommend using T-sacs for loose leaf tea.
I’ve been using these tea bags for years and love them because they’re incredibly fine mesh and do a great job keeping the plant hairs out of your tea. NOTE: Regular reusable tea strainers often aren’t fine enough for mullein.
How to Make Mullein Tea
Making mullein tea is simple.
Ingredients
• 1–2 teaspoons dried mullein leaf
• 1 cup hot water
Instructions
- Place dried mullein into a T-sac or fine tea filter.
- Pour hot water over the herb.
- Let steep for about 10–15 minutes.
- Remove the tea bag and enjoy.
You can add honey if you want extra throat soothing or sweetness.
Personally, I actually love the taste of mullein tea plain.
This is the electric tea kettle I have: TEA KETTLE.
How to Make a Mullein Tincture
Tinctures are another great way to preserve mullein.
Ingredients
• fresh or dried mullein leaves or flowers
• alcohol (vodka works well) or vegetable glycerin
• glass jar with lid
Instructions
- Fill a glass jar about halfway with mullein leaves or flowers.
- Pour alcohol or glycerin over the plant material until fully covered.
- Seal the jar and store in a cool, dark place.
- Shake it every few days.
- Allow it to extract for 4–6 weeks.
- Strain the plant material and store the liquid in a dropper bottle. (make sure it’s amber)
This tincture can then be used in small amounts when needed.
Here is an awesome youtube video on how to make tinctures with vodka vs veggie glycerin.
Smoking Dried Mullein
Some people choose to inhale the smoke of dried burned mullein leaves as a traditional respiratory herb. This is similar to burning sage or palo santo but you inhale the smoke.
I did try this once out of curiosity, and I’ll be honest with you…
It smells exactly like tobacco leaves burning in your house.
Because of that, it’s not something I personally recommend or plan on doing again.
For me, mullein tea is by far the best and most enjoyable way to use it.
Final Thoughts on Harvesting Mullein
What I love most about harvesting mullein is how simple and accessible it is.
You don’t need fancy equipment.
You don’t need a complicated process.
Just a basket, some scissors, and a willingness to step outside and learn from the land.
Spending the day harvesting mullein with friends and our kids reminded me how important it is to reconnect with these practices. The earth truly provides so many of the tools we need to support our health.
When you start learning about plants like mullein and how to use them, it opens your eyes to just how much healing exists in the natural world around us.
And honestly, there’s something incredibly empowering about that.
A quick note before trying any new herb:
Always take the time to do your own research and listen to your body. While plants like mullein have a long history of traditional use, every person is different. It’s important to make informed decisions about what you choose to put into or on your body.
If you are new to herbal remedies, consider consulting with a qualified herbalist or healthcare professional before using them, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or managing any health conditions.
Learning about plants and traditional herbal practices can be incredibly empowering, but it should always be approached with curiosity, respect, and personal responsibility.
If you enjoy simple, natural DIY projects like this, you might also like one of my favorite kitchen staples: homemade cream cheese. It’s surprisingly easy to make, requires just a couple ingredients, and is a great way to move away from overly processed store-bought foods. You can check out the full recipe here: