Mullein Tea (Gordolobo): Benefits, How to Make It & Side Effects
Tea guide · Yado Market Blog
Mullein tea, called té de gordolobo in Spanish, is a gentle, caffeine-free herbal tea made from the soft leaves of Verbascum thapsus. For generations families in Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean have brewed it for the throat and chest when cold season arrives. Here is what mullein tea is good for, what research really says, and how to make it the right way.
Quick answer: what is mullein tea good for?
- A traditional tea for the throat, chest and cough during cold season.
- Recognized in Europe as a traditional remedy for sore throat with dry cough.
- Studied in the lab for antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant activity.
- Steep 5 to 15 minutes and strain loose leaves through a fine filter.
V. thapsus
Scientific name
Gordolobo
Spanish name
0 mg
Caffeine
5–15 min
Steep time
Know your herb
What Is Mullein Tea?
Mullein tea is an herbal infusion made from the dried leaves (and sometimes the yellow flowers) of common mullein, Verbascum thapsus. The plant is native to Europe, northern Africa and western and central Asia, and it has spread across the Americas, where it grows wild along roadsides and fields.1 You will recognize it by its tall flower spike and its thick, soft, felt-like leaves, which is why it has picked up names like woolly mullein, candlewick and Aaron's rod.4
In Spanish, mullein is called gordolobo, so many Latin American and Caribbean families know this drink as té de gordolobo. It is one of those teas that grandmothers reach for as soon as the weather turns cold and the first cough shows up in the house.
English
Mullein, common mullein, woolly mullein, candlewick, Aaron's rod.
Spanish
Gordolobo, té de gordolobo.
Botanical
Verbascum thapsus, figwort family (Scrophulariaceae).
Caffeine
None. Mullein is a naturally caffeine-free herbal tea.
At a glance
Mullein Tea Quick Facts
| Scientific name | Verbascum thapsus L. (common mullein) |
|---|---|
| Spanish name | Gordolobo |
| Parts used for tea | Dried leaves; the flowers are also used, especially in Europe |
| Taste | Mild, smooth and slightly earthy, a little like a soft green herbal tea |
| Key plant compounds | Flavonoids, iridoid glycosides such as aucubin, phenylethanoid glycosides such as verbascoside, and saponins |
| Best known for | Traditional support for the throat and chest during cough and cold season |
| Preparation tip | Always strain loose leaves through a fine cloth or paper filter |
Tradition
Traditional Uses: Why Families Drink Mullein Tea
Mullein has a long history as a folk remedy for the lungs, skin and throat.1 Herbal traditions describe the leaves and flowers as expectorant (helping loosen mucus) and soothing, and a tea of the plant has been used for chest complaints including coughs.2 In Appalachia the boiled root was given for croup, and an oil made from the flowers has been used as drops for earaches.4 Indigenous communities in North America gathered the leaves and flowers to make a soothing tea or breathed in the steam for coughs and colds, and also used the tea as a gargle for sore throats.5
Europe gives mullein an official nod too: the European Medicines Agency recognizes mullein flower as a traditional herbal medicine to relieve a sore throat linked to dry cough and colds, based on long-standing use.3
Throat comfort
A warm cup or a gargle during cold season.
Chest and cough
The classic use, especially in Latin American homes.
Steam
Leaves steeped in hot water and the steam breathed in.
Ear oil
Flower oil used as a folk remedy for earaches.
What scientists found
Mullein Tea Benefits: What Research Says
Researchers have taken a close look at the plant behind this old remedy. Here is what the published studies show, explained plainly:
Plant compounds
Mullein contains flavonoids, iridoid and phenylethanoid glycosides, saponins, vitamin C and minerals.1 These are the kinds of compounds scientists study for antioxidant and soothing effects.
Antiviral activity in the lab
Extracts showed activity against influenza A and herpes simplex virus type 1 in cell-culture studies.24
Antibacterial activity in the lab
Lab tests found activity against bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae.4
To be honest with you: almost all of this research was done in test tubes and animals, and reviewers agree that good human trials are still needed.24 One often-quoted children's study on herbal ear drops used mullein together with several other herbs, so its results cannot be credited to mullein alone.4 What mullein tea has on its side is centuries of use and an official European "traditional use" listing for sore throat with dry cough.3
Step by step
How to Make Mullein Tea
The one rule that matters: mullein leaves are covered in fine hairs that can tickle and irritate the throat, so loose leaves must be strained well.5 Tea bags already do this filtering for you.
1. Measure
Use 1 tea bag, or about 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried leaf, per cup (about 150 to 250 ml) of water.
2. Pour
Pour hot, just-boiled water over the tea bag or leaves.
3. Steep
Cover and steep 5 to 10 minutes for tea bags, or 10 to 15 minutes for loose leaf.
4. Strain well
For loose leaf, strain through a fine cloth, coffee filter or paper filter, not just a wire strainer.
5. Enjoy
Sip warm, plain or with honey and a squeeze of lemon. Up to 3 to 4 cups a day.
Steeping times follow our tea bag directions and a traditional preparation guide;5 the dose range follows the European herbal monograph (1.5 to 2 g in 150 ml of boiling water, 3 to 4 times daily).3
Good to know
What Does Mullein Tea Taste Like?
Mullein tea is gentle. It brews into a pale golden-green cup with a mild, earthy, slightly sweet taste and no bitterness to speak of. Because it is so mild, it blends beautifully:
Honey and lemon
The classic cold-season cup.
Lemongrass
Adds a bright, citrusy lift.
Ginger or cinnamon
Warms it up for winter evenings.
Iced
Brew strong, cool and pour over ice in summer.
Shop mullein
Buy Mullein Tea (Gordolobo) and Pairings
Our mullein gordolobo comes in convenient tea bags, so the fine leaf hairs stay in the bag and out of your cup. Build a cold-season tea shelf with these customer favorites:
Our pick
Moza Tea Mullein Gordolobo
Mullein tea bags, naturally caffeine free. Easy to brew, no straining needed.
Shop · $7.99
Blend it
Asian Lemongrass Tea, 20 Bags
Steep one bag with your mullein for a brighter, citrusy cup.
Shop · $7.99
Latin American classic
Moza Tea Cat Claw (Uña de Gato)
Another traditional herbal tea from the same Moza line.
Shop · $11.99
Drink it with confidence
Mullein Tea Side Effects and Safety
Mullein tea is generally considered gentle. The European Medicines Agency lists no known side effects for mullein flower tea; the only listed reason not to use it is an allergy to the plant.3 A few sensible points:
Strain loose leaf
The leaf hairs can irritate the throat if they end up in your cup.5
Skin sensitivity
Rare cases of skin irritation have been reported in people who handle the plant a lot.4
Check the label
In parts of Mexico the name gordolobo is also used for other plants, including some that are not safe to drink for long periods.6 Buy a tea whose label says mullein, like ours.
Who should check with a doctor first: there is not enough safety data for pregnancy, breastfeeding or children under 12, so the European monograph does not recommend it for these groups without medical advice.3 The same goes if you have an ongoing health condition, or if a cough lasts more than a week or comes with fever or shortness of breath.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mullein tea good for?
Mullein tea is traditionally used to soothe the throat and chest during coughs and colds. The European Medicines Agency recognizes mullein flower as a traditional herbal remedy for sore throat linked to dry cough and colds. Lab studies have also found antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant activity, though human trials are still limited.
Is mullein the same as gordolobo?
Gordolobo is the Spanish name for mullein (Verbascum thapsus), and té de gordolobo is mullein tea. In parts of Mexico the word gordolobo is also used for other plants, so check that the label says mullein.
How do you make mullein leaf tea?
Steep 1 tea bag, or 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried mullein leaf, in a cup of just-boiled water for 5 to 10 minutes (bags) or 10 to 15 minutes (loose leaf). Strain loose leaf through a fine cloth or paper filter to remove the tiny leaf hairs, then add honey or lemon if you like.
What are the side effects of mullein tea?
Mullein tea is generally considered gentle, and the European herbal monograph lists no known side effects. Unstrained leaf hairs can irritate the throat, and rare skin irritation has been reported from handling the plant. People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or giving it to children under 12 should check with a doctor first because safety data are limited.
Can I drink mullein tea every day?
The European herbal monograph gives a traditional adult dose of 3 to 4 cups a day. Many people enjoy it daily during cold season; follow the package directions and check with your doctor if you have a health condition.
Where can I buy mullein tea (gordolobo) in the USA?
At Yado Market: pick up at 1651 E 87th St in Chicago, local delivery, or shipping anywhere in the U.S.
Keep reading
Related Guides
Get Ready for Cold Season
Keep a box of mullein gordolobo tea in the cupboard. Ships anywhere in the U.S. from our Chicago store.
This guide shares traditional uses and published research for general information. It is not medical advice, and these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. If you are pregnant, nursing, take prescription medicine or have a health condition, check with your doctor before using herbal products.
Research & references
Sources
- Gupta, Atkinson, Pandey & Bishayee, Health-promoting and disease-mitigating potential of Verbascum thapsus L. (common mullein): A review, Phytotherapy Research 36(4):1507–1522 (2022)
- Riaz, Zia-Ul-Haq & Jaafar, Common mullein, pharmacological and chemical aspects, Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia 23(6):948–959 (2013)
- European Medicines Agency (HMPC), European Union herbal monograph on Verbascum thapsus L. and related species, flos (2018)
- Mullein, Natural Products monograph, Drugs.com (Wolters Kluwer)
- Mullein Leaf Tea, Indigenous Medicinal and Food Plants of the Cayoose Creek Band of Sekw'el'was (2025)
- Gordolobo (Gnaphalium spp.) herbal fact sheet, University of Texas at El Paso Herbal Safety program