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Mullein makes a sweet, non-biting, mildly sedative smoke, and is recommended by Grieve in that form, as well as a tea or strong decoction. It is also used as an extract, tincture and lotion.

The 1997 Commission E on Phytotherapy and Herbal Substances of the German Federal Institute for Drugs recommends Mullein flower for 'Catarrhs of the respiratory tract.'

'Daily dosage: 3 - 4 g of herb; equivalent preparations. Mode of Administration: Comminuted herb for teas and other galenical preparations for internal use.'

'Actions: Alleviating irritation; Expectorant.'

Mullein is a good anti-inflammatory and demulcent respiratory remedy, very kind to the mucous membranes of the respiratory system, reducing inflammation while stimulating fluid production and thus facilitating expectoration.

Externally an extract made in olive oil is excellent in soothing and healing any inflamed surface or easing ear problems. Mullein contains about 3% mucilage and small amounts of saponins and tannins. The mucilaginous constituents are primarily responsible for the soothing actions on mucous membranes. The saponins may be responsible for the expectorant actions of mullein.

Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'The Mullein has very markedly demulcent, emollient and astringent properties, which render it useful in pectoral complaints. The whole plant seems to possess slightly sedative and narcotic properties.'

'The dried leaves are sometimes smoked in an ordinary tobacco pipe to relieve the irritation of the respiratory mucus membranes, and will completely control, it is said, the hacking cough of consumption. Mullein is said to be of much value in diarrhoea, from its combination of demulcent with astringent properties, by this combination strengthening the bowels at the same time.'

'In diarrhoea the ordinary infusion is generally given, but when any bleeding of the bowels is present, the decoction prepared with milk is recommended. On the Continent, a sweetened infusion of the flowers strained in order to separate the rough hairs, is considerably used as a domestic remedy in mild catarrhs, colic, etc.'

King's 1898 Dispensatory: 'Mullein is demulcent, diuretic, anodyne, and antispasmodic. It is likewise said to possess marked antiperiodic virtues. Besides, it is mildly nervine, controlling irritation, and favoring sleep. Upon the upper portion of the respiratory tract its influence is pronounced, particularly where the larynx and trachea are involved.'

'The infusion is useful in coughs, protracted colds, catarrh, hemoptysis, diarrhoea, dysentery, and piles. It is applicable to dry, hoarse coughs, which occur chiefly at night, as well as to cough associated with an abundant catarrhal discharge.'

'Its diuretic properties are rather weak, yet it is very useful in allaying the acridity of urine, which is present in many diseases.'

'It may be boiled in milk, sweetened, and rendered more palatable by the addition of aromatics, for internal use, especially bowel complaints. A fomentation of the leaves also forms an excellent local application for inflamed piles, ulcers, and tumors.'

'The leaves and pith of the stalk form a valuable cataplasm in white swellings, and when infused in hot vinegar or water it makes an excellent poultice to be applied to the throat in tonsilitis, malignant sore throat, and mumps. The seeds, it is said, will rapidly pass through the intestines, and have been successfully used in intestinal obstructions. They are narcotic, and have been used in asthma, infantile convulsions, and to poison fish. The infusion may be drank freely.'

American Materia Medica, 1919 (Ellingwood): 'The most direct use of this agent is in the treatment of simple uncomplicated cases of deafness, or in the early stages of progressive deafness where the cause is not apparent. In these cases, from, two to five drops in the ear, three or four times each day, will stop the progress of the disease, and will cure many simple cases. In its local influence, it softens and facilitates the removal of hardened secretions, stimulating the nerve structures at the same time. It has positive anodyne properties, and is curative in a large number of the ordinary cases of earache in children, acting often more quickly than other and better 'known' agents, and is used with perfect safety, as it has no irritating or toxic properties.'

'Used in the treatment of ulcerations of the ear, where there are fetid discharges, it is of much value in allaying pain and promoting the action of other antiseptic and healing remedies. In the treatment of the simple car troubles of childhood, it accomplishes alone that for which complex formulae are otherwise necessary.'

'Mulleined oil has a wider influence, however, than its use in the disease of the ear. It has been used in rheumatic conditions to an extent, and I am of the opinion that properly developed in this line, it will be found a serviceable remedy. Internally, the specific medicine or the infusion exercises a diaphoretic and diuretic influence, and is soothing to the nervous system.'

'This agent is often used in irritation and inflammation of the urinary apparatus, acting in harmony with hydrangea, gelsemium or other antispasmodics in stricture from irritation.'

'It is useful also in acute catarrh, either of a specific or lion-specific origin, in catarrhal cystitis, and in some cases of pyelitis and catarrhal nephritis. It has been used also in bronchial irritation and in asthmatic bronchitis. In uncomplicated asthma, especially the paroxysmal form, mullein leaves, mixed with stramonium and potassium nitrate and smoked through a pipe, will often give prompt relief. The smoking must be suspended if vertigo supervenes.'

'The agent has long been a domestic remedy in the treatment of rheumatism. A fomentation is prepared from the leaves or the steam from a decoction is confined to the part, or compresses are wrung from a strong infusion of the leaves, and applied.'

www.herbmed.org/Herbs/Herb79.htm:

Antiviral activity (in vitro) against Fowl plague virus, several influenza strains, & Herpes simplex virus by extracts from Verbascum thapsiforme Zgorniak-Nowosielska 1991

Herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV-1) was inhibited by flowers of Verbascum thapsiforme, which contains flavonoids, iridoids, phenolic acids, saponins, amino acids, free sugars, and mucilages Slagowska 1987