Fig. 1145. Kinds of Base Mullein (1-4)

The Description.

            1. The Base White Mullein hath a thick woody root, from which riseth up a stiff and hairy stalk, of the height of four cubits, garnished with fair greyish leaves like those of Elecampane, but lesser: the flowers grow round about the stalks taper or torch fashion, of a white colour, with certain golden thrums in the middle: the seed followeth, small, and of the colour of dust.

            2. Black Mullein hath long leaves, not downy at all, large and sharp pointed, of an overworn blackish green colour, somewhat rough, and strongly smelling: the flowers grow at the top of the stalks of a golden yellow colour, with certain threads in the middle thereof. The root differeth not from the precedent.

            3. Candle-Wick Mullein hath large, broad, and woolly leaves, like unto those of the Common Mullein: among which riseth up a stalk covered with the like leaves, even to the branches wheron the flowers do grow, but lesser and lesser by degrees. The stalk divideth itself toward the top into divers branches, whereon is set round about many yellow flowers, which oftentimes do change into white, varying according unto the soil and climate. The root is thick and woody.

            4. The Small Candle-wick Mullein differeth little from the last rehearsed, saving that the whole plant of this is of a better savour, wherein especially consisteth the difference. The flower also is much larger, and of a straw, or pale yellow colour.

The Place.

            These plants do grow where the other Mulleins do, and in the like soil.

The Time.

            The time likewise answereth their flowering and seeding.

The Names.

            Their capital names expressed in the titles shall serve for these base Mulleins, considering they are all and every of them kinds of Mulleins.

The Temperature.

            These Mulleins are dry without any manifest heat, yet doubtless hotter and drier than the common Mullein or Hag-Taper.

The Virtues.

            A. The Black Mullein, with his pleasant yellow flowers, boiled in water or wine and drunken, is good against the diseases of the breast and lungs, and against all spitting of corrupt rotten matter.

            B. The leaves boiled in water, stamped and applied poultice-wise upon cold swellings (called oedemata) and also upon the ulcers and inflammations of the eyes, cureth the same.

            C. The flowers of black Mullein are put into lye, which causeth the hair of the head to wax yellow, if it be washed and combed therewith.

            D. The leaves are put into cold ointments with good success, against scaldings and burnings with fire or water.

            E. Apuleius reporteth a tale of Ulysses, Mercury, and the enchantress Circe, and their use of these herbs in their incantations and witchcrafts.