Both mullein and licorice root get recommended for coughs, sore throats, and respiratory issues. Both have a long history of use as herbal remedies.

But here's the thing, one is safe for pretty much everyone to drink daily, and the other can literally raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels.

Licorice root tastes amazing (naturally sweet, like actual candy), but it comes with a catch that makes it unsuitable for loads of people.

Mullein tea might be less exciting flavour-wise, but you can actually drink it every day without worrying about your heart exploding. ❤️

This comparison tells you what each herb does, why licorice's blood pressure issue is a massive deal, who can't touch the stuff, and why mullein is the smarter choice for regular respiratory support.

Let's get into it.

Quick Comparison Overview

Mullein Tea:

• Action: Expectorant + demulcent (clears mucus, soothes airways)
• Taste: Mild, earthy, neutral
• Safety: Very safe for daily use
• Blood pressure: No effect
• Best for: Regular lung health support, chest congestion, chronic coughs

Licorice Root Tea:

• Action: Demulcent + anti-inflammatory (soothes, reduces inflammation)
• Taste: Naturally sweet, pleasant (like actual liquorice candy)
• Safety: Restricted use—NOT for daily long-term consumption
• Blood pressure: RAISES blood pressure (this is the deal-breaker)
• Best for: Short-term sore throat relief, adding sweetness to herbal tea blends

The bottom line upfront: If you need something you can drink regularly for respiratory health, mullein is your herb.

Licorice root is a nice occasional addition but can't be your daily go-to.

How Each Works for Respiratory Health

Mullein leaf works as both an expectorant and demulcent, which is herbal speak for "it clears mucus AND soothes irritation."

Expectorant: The saponins in dried mullein leaves thin thick mucus in your lungs so you can actually cough it up instead of it just sitting there making you miserable.

Demulcent: The mucilage creates a gel-like coating over irritated tissues in your respiratory tract. This soothes sore throats, calms inflamed airways, and protects mucus membranes while they heal.

Anti-inflammatory: Mullein contains flavonoids that reduce inflammation throughout your respiratory system, lungs, bronchial tubes, airways, the lot.

Mullein is one of those herbs for lung health that actually addresses the root problems: too much mucus, inflamed airways, and irritated tissues.

Licorice Root's Action

Licorice root (or liquorice if you're British about it) works differently. It's primarily a demulcent and anti-inflammatory herb.

Demulcent: Like mullein, liquorice contains mucilage that coats and soothes irritated mucus membranes. This makes it brilliant for sore throats and dry cough.

Anti-inflammatory: Licorice root has potent anti-inflammatory properties, particularly useful for upper respiratory irritation and throat inflammation.

Antiviral/antibacterial: Some research suggests liquorice has antimicrobial properties, though this is less proven than its soothing effects.

Natural sweetener: Licorice root has a sweet taste naturally (50 times sweeter than sugar), making it a popular addition to herbal tea blends.

The problem? All those benefits come with a massive caveat: glycyrrhizin, the compound that makes licorice sweet, also messes with your blood pressure and potassium levels.

Effectiveness Comparison

For Coughs and Chest Congestion

Mullein: Highly effective. The expectorant action specifically targets chest congestion and wet coughs. You'll notice mucus thinning and chest clearing within hours. Works for both productive and dry coughs due to the soothing properties.

Licorice root: Good for dry cough and throat irritation, but doesn't clear mucus as effectively as mullein. Works more on soothing the irritation causing the cough rather than clearing the congestion.

Winner: Mullein - If you've got chest congestion or productive cough, mullein is far more effective. Licorice helps with the irritation but doesn't shift the mucus.

For Sore Throats

Mullein: Very soothing. The mucilage coats your throat and provides relief. Not as immediately noticeable as licorice but still effective.

Licorice root: Exceptionally soothing. The combination of demulcent properties and sweet taste makes it feel immediately comforting. Many people prefer licorice for sore throat specifically.

Winner: Licorice (slightly) - For pure sore throat soothing, licorice edges ahead. But mullein is close behind and doesn't come with blood pressure risks.

For Lung Health

Mullein: Excellent for ongoing lung health support. Safe to drink daily for conditions like asthma, bronchitis, COPD, or as an ex-smoker supporting lung recovery. Works throughout your entire respiratory system.

Licorice root: Not suitable for long-term lung health support due to blood pressure effects. Can only be used short-term (days to a few weeks maximum).

Winner: Mullein - This isn't even close. You need something you can use long-term to support lung health. Licorice root can't be that herb.

The Blood Pressure Problem with Licorice

How Licorice Affects Blood Pressure

Here's the deal-breaker with liquorice: glycyrrhizin, the compound that makes it sweet and medicinal, causes your body to retain sodium and lose potassium. This leads to:

• Increased blood pressure (sometimes significantly)
• Water retention
• Potassium depletion
• Potential heart rhythm problems if used long-term

This happens even in people with normal blood pressure. If you already have high blood pressure, licorice root can make it dangerously worse.

The effect isn't instant, it builds up with regular use. But even small amounts taken daily for a few weeks can cause problems.

This is why traditional herbal medicine warns against long-term licorice use despite its effectiveness.

Why This Makes Mullein Safer

Mullein has no effect on blood pressure. Zero. You can drink it every day for months without worrying about sodium retention, potassium loss, or cardiovascular effects.

This single difference makes mullein the clear winner for anyone who:

• Has high blood pressure
• Takes blood pressure medications
• Takes diuretics
• Has heart conditions
• Needs long-term respiratory support
• Wants to avoid potential cardiovascular risks

Basically, it makes mullein safer for the vast majority of people.

Taste Comparison

Mullein Tea Taste

Let's be honest: mullein tea tastes... fine. It's mild, earthy, slightly grassy. Not unpleasant, just not exciting.

The smooth texture from mucilage makes it feel soothing going down.

Think of mullein as the reliable friend who's always there but doesn't demand attention.

You can drink it daily without getting bored or forcing yourself. Add honey or lemon if you want more flavour.

Licorice Root Taste

Licorice root tea tastes genuinely lovely. Naturally sweet (no sugar needed), slightly anise-flavored, warming. It's one of the few herbal teas that actually tastes like a treat rather than medicine.

This sweet taste is why licorice root appears in so many herbal tea blends—it makes other bitter herbs more palatable. If you've had "Throat Coat" tea or similar commercial respiratory blends, that sweetness is usually licorice root.

Winner: Licorice - No contest. Licorice tastes significantly better than mullein. But taste isn't everything when one herb can spike your blood pressure.

Can You Combine Them?

Yes, and this is actually a smart approach. You can use mullein as your daily lung health base and add small amounts of licorice root for flavour and additional soothing properties.

How to combine safely:

Use mullein as the primary herb (the lung herb doing the heavy lifting) and add just a small amount of licorice root for taste:

• 2 teaspoons dried mullein + ½ teaspoon licorice root
• Steep together for 4-5 minutes
• Drink 1-2 cups daily (not 3+ due to licorice content)
• Use for short periods only (1-2 weeks maximum)

This gives you mullein's expectorant and lung-clearing benefits with licorice's sweet taste and extra throat-soothing power—without enough licorice to cause blood pressure problems.

You can also add other herbs like thyme (antimicrobial), marshmallow root (additional soothing), or tulsi (adaptogenic support) to create a comprehensive respiratory tea blend.

But mullein should be your foundation. It's the herb you can use long-term safely to support your lungs.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Mullein Tea if:

• You need daily respiratory support
• You have lung conditions requiring long-term management (asthma, COPD, bronchitis)
• You have high blood pressure or take blood pressure medications
• You want something safe you can drink 2-3 cups of daily for weeks or months
• You need to clear chest congestion and mucus
• You want the most versatile respiratory remedy

This is most people.

Choose Licorice Root if:

• You want short-term sore throat relief (days, not weeks)
• You need to sweeten herbal tea naturally
• You specifically want the sweet taste
• You have NO blood pressure issues or cardiovascular concerns
• You're only using it occasionally, not daily

This is a much smaller group.

The reality: Mullein is the better choice for respiratory health because you can actually use it regularly without health risks. Licorice root tastes better and soothes throats beautifully, but the blood pressure issue disqualifies it from being a daily lung health remedy.

Think of it this way: mullein is your everyday lung support. Licorice root is the occasional guest star you invite for special soothing purposes. Mullein does the real work; licorice just makes things taste nicer (when it's safe to use).

For herbs for lung health that you can rely on long-term, mullein is the clear winner. It's not flashy, but it works—and it won't mess with your cardiovascular system.

Get Pure Mullein Tea for Safe Daily Lung Support

Since we've established mullein is the smart choice for regular respiratory health, let's talk quality.

Our organic mullein tea:

• 100% pure mullein leaf - No licorice or other herbs that limit usage
• Safe for daily use - No blood pressure effects, no cardiovascular risks
• 30 tea bags per box - Convenient, pre-measured
• Premium Bulgarian sourced - High-quality lung herb with optimal compounds
• Organic certified - No pesticides in your respiratory remedy

For lung health, chest congestion, or chronic respiratory conditions: drink 2-3 cups daily. You can use mullein long-term without concern—unlike licorice root which you'd need to stop after a few weeks.

Get organic mullein tea here for safe, effective respiratory support you can actually rely on.

Brewing tip: Steep one tea bag (or 1-2 teaspoons dried mullein leaves) for 4-5 minutes. Strain well. Drink plain or add honey for sweetness. If you miss licorice's sweet taste, honey works brilliantly without the blood pressure risks.

Mullein might not taste as exciting as licorice root, but it's the herb you can trust for daily lung support without wondering if you're slowly raising your blood pressure with every cup. That's a trade-off worth making.