"Pioneer Toilet Paper"

 Well, I'm a week late with this post. This theme belongs with last weeks.  I really had it done, I've just not had the time to post. So, pardon my tardiness.

While I was working in my front herb/flower garden last week, I saw my little mullein plant that had seeded last fall and grown into the rocks. All my children know not to pick it because they know it's not a weed and cause mom said to leave it alone! :) I looked at that precious plant growing in the rocks and thought how amazing it was that something so soft, that has such a calming influence medicinally in the body could live in such rough circumstances. So, I decided to transplant it. I carefully pushed the rocks away and dug deep to find all the roots. It was amazing how long and strong these roots were! It's living conditions reminds me of  something one of the speakers from the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints said this last week referring to their child hood. Their childhood was not "traditional", but it allowed unique growth and experiences to happen in their lives and prepare them better for their futures. I am so grateful for the experiences in my life and for my mullein plant to remind me that you can live among the rocks, develop in ways that you would not have otherwise, and still be used for those very purposes you were intended for, despite your conditions. Awesome!
When I was a kid, my neighbors and cousins told me this plant was used by the pioneers as toilet paper. Well,  I have since learned it's amazing other abilities other than a soft wipe out in the wilderness.  Mullein is a wonderful medicinal biennial plant. It grows short and low to the ground in a small spread bush it's first year then has a tall stalk on it with little bright yellow flowers the next year. It is mistaken for lamb's ear sometimes because they are similar in their leaf shape, color, and softness. However,  lamb's ear  feels more like velvet and mullein is more like felt. Mullein's latin name is verbascum. It is an herb that specifically works on the glandular system and is known for being a soothing herb to swollen areas. It also helps pull mucous from the system. I have found it everywhere here in Utah. In the mountains, cracks in the roads, my aun'ts backyard. The plant I have now I got from Aunt Judy's back yard. She had killed a bunch because it was overtaking her yard. She called and offered me some, hooray! It's purposes are many. I have used mullein in my life for mastitis chopped up as a poultice,  ear infections (extract form) with warm garlic oil, lung congestion (both poultice and tincture form), swollen neck glands(poultice), and stinging nettle stings (poultice). It has helped me out soooooooo much. I have seen clear evidence of it's effectiveness in my life and of my kids. Hooooooray for Pioneer Toilet Paper! Precious Mullein.  Do you think this would be categorized as paper for the paper topic from last week?  I just wanted to share some things I had learned :)