drying mullein

It's a cool and breezy day - a good time to get out the dehydrator and dry some mullein leaves for cold and flu season. I use mullein (Verbascum thapsus) for coughs, especially coughs that are worse when lying down.

I leave mullein plants in several spots in my garden (probably too many) so it can flower and reseed itself. The rosettes tend to grow larger than I expect and can overshadow other plants, like, potentially, my tomatoes, so I try to monitor their growth and pull any that are impeding the growth of their neighbors.

To dry I pick the younger, softer leaves. Blot off any dew, clear any debris and put them in the dehydrator until they are crisp and crumble if pressed. Then I store them in a jar, labeled, through the winter.