Introduction
Cancer is a condition where there is an uncontrolled proliferation of cells. It occurs due to some genetic mutation. Many treatments have been put forward for the treatment of lung cancer. Apoptosis (programmed cell death) is one of the reasons that dictate malignant growth. Currently, lung cancer has the most increased mortality rates in the world compared to other forms of cancer. Research is still going on to find treatments to deter this.
What Is Mullein?
Mullein belongs to the Snapdragon family. Verbascum thapsus is its scientific name. It is a weed to some, while it is a godsend herb for those who know its benefits. It is thought to have its origin in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Experts say that different parts of the plant have different uses. The plant was first described by Carl Linnaeus in the year 1753. ‘Verbascum’ is derived from a Latin term meaning ‘with a beard.’ It refers to the quality of the plant, which has downy hairs all over it, especially its leaves.
The name Mullein is derived from an Anglo-French word, ‘moleine’, which means soft-leaved plant. It started showing up in the English literature in the fourteenth century. The name is thought to have its origin in Proto Celtic word ‘merinos’ (meaning yellow), Meli (meaning honey), the French word mol (meaning soft), or the Latin word molis (meaning soft). These are used to describe the plant’s soft, downy leaves.
What Are the Other Names for Mullein?
Mullein is also known as:
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Adam’s flannel.
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Blanket herb
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Blanket leaf.
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Feltwort.
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Flannel flower.
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Velvet plant.
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Woolen.
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Cowboy toilet paper.
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Hedge taper.
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High taper.
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Hag-taper.
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Grandmother’s flannel.
What Are the Uses of Mullein?
The medicinal properties of the plant come from phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are the chemicals plants produce that help them resist bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Mullein can treat any lung condition that has inflammation or infection. In the earlier times before the advent of antibiotics, Mullein was used to treat conditions like pneumonia, whooping cough, and tuberculosis. With the advent of modern drugs, it is used for lesser serious conditions like allergies, sore throat, and tonsilitis (inflammation of the tonsil). Mullein is available in stores as extracts, capsules, oils, and teas. Mullein can be taken orally for respiratory issues.
How Does Mullein Soothe Lung Conditions?
Mullein soothe the lung in the following ways:
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Loosens Mucus: Mullein is a good expectorant. An expectorant is a substance that loosens phlegm or mucus so that it is easily removed while coughing. They help to remove mucus from the respiratory system. If mucus remains in the respiratory tract, it can lock airflow. In severe cases, it can even cause the collapse of the lungs.
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Calms Inflammation: While having lung or throat issues, using a little mullein can calm down the symptoms. The flowers and leaves of the plant contain mucilage (a thick secretion of the plant used as medicine). It is coated around the mucus membrane as a thin film. This helps to reduce inflammation as it has a soothing effect. It is used in balms and slaves due to its inflammatory properties.
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Protects Cells: Mullein is an abundant source of antioxidants. It is rich in Vitamin C and flavonoids (a group of secondary metabolites used for their medicinal properties). They protect the cells from free radicals and other molecules that destroy the cell. Studies show that mullein stem, when combined with alcohol, was about eighty-five percent successful in protecting the cells from oxidation.
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Fight Germs: The plant has antiseptic properties or prevents the spread of micro-organisms that cause infections. Studies show the plant effectively controls pneumonia, staphylococcus, and E. coli. It is also found to have anti-viral properties, which help to control viral infections. Consuming Mullein for cold helps to recover faster due to its medicinal properties.
How Can Mullein Be Used in Lung Cancer Prevention and Management?
Biologically active components found in Mullein include flavonoids, phenyl ethanoids, neolignan glycosides, saponins, iridoid, and monoterpene glycosides. Numerous biological impacts of phenolic compounds include their capacity to act as antioxidants and free-radical scavengers. Many studies have shown that galic acid is effective against many types of tumor cells. Studies show that mullein extracts contain four percent of polyphenols expressed as Gallic acid. This shows how effective the plant can be in treating any type of cancer. It has an additional advantage in lung cancer due to its other medicinal properties like anti-inflammatory properties and ability to loosen mucus and reduce inflammation.
The exact mechanism behind how mullein destroys cancer cells is still unknown. Experiments done in rats using an aqueous extract of Mullein showed an inhibitory effect on protein production in the liver ribosomes. It was established that the saponin fraction in Mullein was responsible for this action.
What Are the Side Effects of Mullein?
There can be irritation to the skin if mullein extracts are applied to the skin in high concentrations. This can be managed by diluting the extract adequately. The heaviest disadvantage of using herbal supplements is that they do not undergo vigorous research as their chemical counterparts. Hence, it is important to make sure that a pure, unadulterated extract or sample is being used. It is always better to seek medical advice before starting a treatment seen on the internet. This helps to avoid a lot of complications or life-threatening scenarios. Each person’s body reacts differently to different chemicals. Hence, it is important to understand that what has worked for someone might not be effective for others.
Conclusion
Chemotherapy is the treatment of choice for many types of cancer. However, despite its benefits, it also has many serious side effects, like bone marrow suppression and toxicity to the liver, kidney, and heart. Finding novel alternatives with lesser adverse effects or new therapies that can minimize the negative impacts of chemotherapy is a very beneficial research area. A significant anticancer activity was found in the Mullein extracts, in addition to an additional safety profile. Hence, additional research is needed to discover new treatment strategies for complementary cancer therapy.
