Skullcap

Scutellaria lateriflora

This North American perennial grows in wet places throughout Canada and the northern and eastern U.S. as well as in other parts of the world, such as southeast Asia. The fibrous, yellow rootstock produces a branching stem from 1-3 feet high, with opposite, ovate, serrate leaves that come to a point. Skullcap's two-lipped flowers are pale purple or blue.

Skullcap by itself or in conjunction with valerian root makes an ideal sedative for nervous muscle spasms, twitches and general convulsions. Three capsules of each herb should be taken every 4 hours for the worst cases, less, of course, for minor symptoms. Either 1-1/2 cups of warm tea every couple of hours or 1/2 cup, as the case may be. In 1 pt. of boiling water simmer 1 tbsp. cut, dried valerian root on low heat, covered, for 3 minutes. Then add 2 tsp. of cut, dried skullcap herb, cover again, and simmer an additional 1-1/2 minutes., before removing from heat entirely and steeping 40 minutes longer.

Skullcap is one of the best nourishing tonics for the nervous system. Skullcap is rich in minerals necessary for a healthy nervous system, and is greatly strengthening and supportive during stressful times. Skullcap is a wonderful remedy for all states of nervous tension, for headaches, agitation, anxiety, insomnia, hysteria, neurasthenia, exhaustion and depression. Its antispasmodic action is useful for twitching or ' jerking muscles, trembling, epilepsy - both petit and grand mal - as well as heart palpitations. Skullcap is well worth using to aid withdrawal from orthodox tranquilizers and antidepressants, and is excellent when combined with hormone balancing herbs such as chaste tree or false unicorn root for PMS.

Skullcap also acts as an anti-inflammatory herb, and can be used for arthritis, particularly where it is aggravated by stress. Skullcap is also said to reduce fevers, to enhance the digestion and to stimulate liver function, due to the presence of bitters. Skullcap was used traditionally in North America to treat bites of poisonous insects and snakes, and for rabies, as well as to quieten sexual over-excitement and relieve menstrual cramps.

Skullcap works mainly on the nervous system. Skullcap acts as a sedative, both mentally and physically to calm and sustain an over-excited system. Skullcap can be used where there is stress and tension present. Some species of skullcap have been found to contain constituents which have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic properties, and it is possible this extends to Scutelleria lateriflora, but further research has yet to be carried out. One species found in China has a beneficial effect in liver disorders such as hepatitis, actually improving liver-function tests. Skullcap's sedative effect also helps to alleviate period or ovarian pain.

Other names

• Blue Pimpernel
• Blue Skullcap
• Helmet Flower
• Hoodwort
• Mad Dog
• Madweed
• Virginia Skullcap

Parts used

Aerial parts, root.

Uses

Native American cure - The Cherokee used skullcap to stimulate menstruation, relieve breast pain, and encourage expulsion of the placenta.
19th-century remedy - The Physiomedicalists (followers of a 19th-century Anglo-American school of herbal medicine) first discovered skullcap's use as a nervine. They recognized that it has a "deeper" action on the nervous system than any other herb and used it for hysteria, epilepsy, convulsions, and rabies, as well as for serious, mental illnesses such as schizophrenia.
Current uses - Today, skullcap is taken mainly as a nerve tonic and for its restorative properties. Skullcap helps to support and nourish the nervous system, and calms and relieves stress and anxiety. Its antispasmodic action makes it useful for conditions where stress and worry cause muscular tension. Skullcap is often prescribed on its own or mixed with other sedative herbs, to treat insomnia and skullcap is also given to relieve menstrual pain. Research into skullcap is sorely needed and may reveal more uses for this valuable herb.

Habitat & cultivation

A native of North America, skullcap still grows wild in much of the US and Canada. Skullcap thrive in damp conditions, for example, on riverbanks, and needs plenty of sun. Skullcap can be propagated from seed or by root division in spring. The aerial parts of 3- to 4-year-old plants are harvested in summer, when in flower.

Research

Scutellaria species - Very little research has been carried out on this species of Scutellaria, despite its long use in North American and British herbal medicine. It is likely that it contains similar constituents to other Scutellaria species, notably Baical skullcap (S. baicalensis), which has been well researched and is strongly anti-inflammatory.

Constituents

- Flavonoids (scutellarin)
- Bitter iridoids (catalpol)
- Volatile oil
- Tannins

How much to take

No standard dose of skullcap has been established in the United States or Europe. In China, baicalin is available in 250-mg tablets. The dose prescribed for viral hepatitis is two tablets three times a day. Skullcap is said to be dangerous in overdose.

Side effects

Swallowing scullcap at normal doses does not generally result in serious side effects. Injection of S. baicalensis extracts, however, can cause fever, muscle pain, and lowered leukocyte count. In several instances, people taking scullcap have experienced liver damage. The danger of liver toxicity should, however, discourage casual use of skullcap.

Applications

AERIAL PARTS:

INFUSION - Use the herb fresh, if possible, to make a soothing tea for nervous exhaustion, excitability, over anxiety, and premenstrual tension. For insomnia, combine skullcap with wild lettuce or passionflower and take at night.

TINCTURE - Best made from the fresh herb, this is a potent remedy for calming the nerves. Take 5 ml or combine with 10 drops lemon balm for nervous stress or depression.

ROOT:

DECOCTION - Use in combination  with other cold, bitter herbs such as huang lian or goldenseal to purge heat from the system in gastric, chest, and urinary infections, including diarrhea, jaundice, gastroenteritis, bronchitis, and cystitis. Combine with herbs such as ju hua to reduce high blood pressure.

Back To Top