verbascum_thapsus

Verbascum thapsus L. - Scrophulariaceae - common mullein, great mullein, Kleinblütige Königskerze

Biennial strong herb of Europe, naturalzed in North America, 0.10-1.70m high; leaves slighly notched, going down the stem with their base; flowers pale yellow, seldom white, broad funnel-shaped, up to 2cm across; the 2 longer stamens 3-4 times as long as their 1.5-2mm long anthers.

Used in folk medicine like Verbascum phlomoides.

The plant has been used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, asthma, spasmodic coughs, diarrhea and other pulmonary problems. „It is widely used for herbal remedies with emollient and astringent properties… It is especially recommended for coughs and related problems…“ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verbascum_thapsus

The plant contains saponins (hydroxythapsuine B, triterpene A and B, saikogenin A, thapsuine A and hydorxythapsuine A), iridoid glycosides (aucubin and 6-O-β -D-xylopyranosyl aucubin, catalpol, methyl- and isocatalpol, ajugol, harpagoside), phenylethanoid glucosides (poliumoside, forsythoside B, arenarioside, alyssonoside), flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, verbascoside) and steroids (β -sitosterol). [Chemical Constituents of Verbascum L. species, I.Irem Tatli, Zeliha S. Akdemir, FABAD J. Pharm. Sci., 29, 93-107, 2004] http://www.fabad.org.tr/fabad.org/pdf/volum29/issue2/FABAD2004j.Pharm.Sci.,29,93-107,2004.pdf

Verbascum thapsus L., Blackwell, E., A curious herbal, vol.1 t.3 (1737)
http://botanicalillustrations.org/species.php?id_species=1053846