Brewing tea is one of the best ways to enjoy medicinal mullein.This velvety plant is packed with anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting compounds, delivering a variety of health benefits in a deliciously aromatic package.
Foraging mullein is the best choice to ensure you consume leaves picked at peak freshness, free of charge. Search for it in the summer along forest edges and sunny fields.
Always clean foraged plants thoroughly, especially those you plan to consume. Trim away rotten or insect-eaten parts, and rub away dirt and debris with a damp cloth.
You don’t have to dry the mullein, but I recommend it. Fresh mullein is covered in tiny strands of fuzz, which release into the brew and could cause mouth irritation. Drying won’t eliminate fuzz entirely but can make it less irritating.
The next step is to crumble dried mullein into loose-leaf tea. Use your hands to break the leaves apart. If they are dried properly, they should crack and crumble down quite easily.
Do you really need a strainer?
In my opinion, yes. Even when dried, mullein retains some of its fluff. Enclosing it within a filter will keep the wooly strands from fuzzing up your mouth.