Planetary Herbals Mullein Lung Complex review: nine herbs for respiratory health

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Mullein is one of those plants herbalists have reached for over many generations. It's a tall, fuzzy-leaved weed you've probably walked past on a roadside without a second look, and it's been used in traditional herbal practice for the lungs for a long time.

Planetary Herbals Mullein Lung Complex takes mullein and builds a whole team around it.

Nine herbs, three jobs

Planetary Herbals calls this a mullein and wild cherry bark compound. The way the company describes it, each group of herbs brings its own quality.

Soothing herbs. Mullein leaf and licorice root extract are known in herbal tradition as demulcents, meaning they have a smoothing, coating character.

Toning herbs. Ophiopogon rhizome and platycodon root come from traditional Chinese herbalism, where they've long been used for the lungs. Planetary Herbals describes them as tonifying and soothing.

Warming herbs. Elecampane root extract, ginger rhizome extract and cassia bark, a type of cinnamon, add a pungent, warming quality. Long pepper fruit rounds out that group.

And then there's wild cherry bark, a classic in old-fashioned respiratory formulas.

Planetary Herbals sums it up by saying these herbs are all known to support a healthy respiratory system.

East meets West

What I like here is the blend of traditions. Mullein, wild cherry and elecampane are Western herbal staples. Ophiopogon and platycodon come from Chinese practice, and long pepper and ginger are prized in Ayurveda. It reads like an herbalist's formula rather than a single-herb capsule.

The company's philosophy leans the same way. It talks about attention to detail with raw materials, environmental awareness and education.

Directions

The suggested use is two tablets twice a day, between meals. Taking them mid-morning and mid-afternoon works well for many people.

A bottle holds 90 tablets. At the full four tablets a day, that's a little over three weeks, which suits the way many people use a formula like this, for a stretch of time when they want extra support. It was listed at $15.75 when I checked.

It holds 4.7 stars from more than 210 Amazon ratings. It's also plant based.

A little about the herbs

Mullein has soft, velvety leaves and tall yellow flower spikes, and it has been part of folk herbalism in Europe and North America for centuries. Wild cherry bark was a familiar ingredient in old American cough syrups. Elecampane has bright yellow, daisy-like flowers and a long history in European herbal practice.

Platycodon is also called balloon flower, after its puffy buds, and ophiopogon is the same plant many gardeners know as mondo grass. Ginger and cinnamon need no introduction, and they add a pleasant warmth.

Breathing-friendly habits

• Stay well hydrated. Warm teas and broths are lovely.

• Run a humidifier when indoor air gets dry in winter.

• Steer clear of smoke, and if you smoke, today is a good day to talk to someone about quitting.

• Get outside for a walk when the air is clean.

Good to know before you start

If you're pregnant, may become pregnant or are breastfeeding, Planetary Herbals asks you to check with your health care professional first. Because the formula contains licorice, it's also worth a word with your doctor if you have high blood pressure or take blood pressure or heart medicine. And a cough that lingers for more than a few weeks, shortness of breath or chest pain should always be checked by a doctor.

A time-tested approach

If you appreciate traditional herbal formulas and want a thoughtful mix for respiratory health, this is a well-rounded choice at a gentle price. Take a look at Planetary Herbals Mullein Lung Complex and see if it suits you.

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