This week we meditated on mullein flower, an herb of traditional Western herbalism.
Pre Meditation
I thought this herb smelled like saffron (but not strong like saffron) but the taste was more typically herby. We found it to be moistening and coating in our mouths. Some thought it tasted sweet, like licorice.
Meditation
Me: It went into my head, balanced, above my nose/mouth. Bright yellow. Healthy feeling. Then it showed me green (healthy bright, light/medium range) going along my right side. Asymmetrical. It would help me with inner thigh and central muscle weakness that is caused by lower mullein leaf overexposure, (a special indication for me, not a use for most people). Getting a tickle in my throat.
Then the energy is green and yellow (pleasant colors, like the plant) all over on the right side of my body. Previous plant meditation in my father's house: “I am all on the left, then i will go to right, then center.”
Next the energy goes to my head. I check in about 7/8 chakra work I am focusing on. "How does that work?" I ask. It goes straight up and down. Up to the top of my head, and down to the ground. Like a line of energy (thin line, pale yellow, light green, white). It shows me being centered. I feel this herb part is critical for getting me back on track, after lower leaf mullein over exposure (from years of cigarette making). This is balancing for getting back to my normal energetic functioning and to do more 7/8 work instead of being slow and slightly ill.
My daughter: I was lying on my right side, curled up. It was in my belly. There was this liquid (burgundy in color), and then a tiny stream of burgundy went through my abdomen. It felt like it was going downhill. It went through my bottom arm (the red stream) it was a small stream (a centimeter or less wide). It came out my fingers, which were resting on my knee (bottom knee). It looked like melted terracotta clay. Then it went down the crease of my knee and it went down the line of my calf onto the couch. Then it went down onto the floor, and it traveled to the oxygen room across the floor. It traveled to one of the oxygen tanks and wrapped itself around one oxygen tank a lot. And then it traveled back to me, and back up between my legs. And then my ankles were crossed and it forced my ankles apart. Time passed really fast on a clock (like in a movie showing time-lapse). I opened my eyes and there were millions of little red trails all over the living room. It kind of looked like a snail trail, but red and solid. Then I actually opened my eyes, then it looked like my finger-tips were red with the stuff (like dipped in sauce). Then I closed my eyes again and all of the trail caught on fire and were blazing. Then when Granpi was talking I was imagining my tongue was on fire.
Summary and Traditional Use
I have recently been talking to Matthew Wood about the use of upper and lower mullein leaves. I believe this differentiation would extend into the flowers, or be further refined. That is confirmed by the flower indicating it would heal me of muscle weakness I am having. I see this as in alignment with a strategy I have for overexposures and some allergies, of using another part of the plant to balance out the problem. I may have learned it from Matthew, but I may have just learned it from corn, by using corn silk. At any rate that is a strategy I often find helpful when I holiday from an herb or other plant is not practical. I was going to use upper leaves to heal the imbalance, but they have been hard to find. I look forward to taking more mullein flower tea and seeing where things go!
Stomach, abdomen warmth and activation was a common theme. Mullein is known to be anti-inflammatory and is used for inflamed and/or bleeding bowels.
Cough, the tickle in my throat which became a cough reminded me of the cough I get from inhaling mullein. It is a very common reaction to inhaled plant particles (not like the smoke which is smooth). I feel the coating and moistening quality of the flower would be a good thing to experiment with if that cough arises. I usually use agrimony, which is quite helpful.
Oxygen, the vision of the red pathways seemed related to this plants ability to increase lung function, the most important aspect of which is the ability to grasp and utilize oxygen. The oxygen tank was leaking that day. Oxygen is heavier than air and supports combustion (if something is burning, it makes it burn faster).
Mullein has a reputation for integrity and for helping you hear your higher calling.
Invitation
Have you worked with mullein flower? It is most commonly used in oil for earaches. I would love to hear your experiences. Please share in the comments below. Join Plant Meditation Club here.