Blog on Skullcap
Only American not Chinese

Scientific Name:
The Scientific name for the plant that has been researched for medicinal usages is Scutellaria lateriflora. There is the Western Skullcap which is Scuttelaria canescens, the Southern Skullcap is Scutellaria cordifolia, or Marsh Skullcap is Scutellaria galericulatum. These have not been researched like Scutellaria lateriflora so if you order seeds or plants order from a reputable company (see liver damage below).

Common Names:
Some of the common names of Skullcap are: mad dog, mad dog weed, helmet flower, quaker bonnet, hoodwort and blue pimpernel.

Caution:
Do not take while pregnant or nursing may cause miscarriage. There was a time in the North America that skullcap was contaminated with germander (a group of plants that may cause liver damage), because of that skullcap still may cause liver damage. And do not take if you already have liver damage. Do not take if already taking: anticonvulsants, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines, drugs to treat insomnia, tricyclic antidepressants or drink alcohol. Overdose causes giddiness, stupor, confusion and twitching. This herb will be toxic in large doses. Herbs have been used for centuries for healing the body, but keep in mind that they can cause allergic reactions and how they interact with other supplements or medication may not be known. So consult your doctor before using it.

Ways to Use:
The ways you can use the herb is: as a tea, as a tincture, in a capsule and as a liquid extract.

History:
The Cherokee and other Native Americans used Skullcap to maintain good health in the female reproductive system and to promote menstruation. Some tribes would use it ceremonially to help bring girls into womanhood. The Iroquois use it to keep the throat clear and healthy and it was used to induce visions as a ceremonial plant to be smoked.

In the 1812 Dr. James Thacher, a surgeon during the Revolutionary War issued a book titled “Observations on Hydrophobia, produced by the bite of a mad dog or other rabid animal, with an examination of the various theories and methods of cure existing at the present day, and an inquiry into the merit of Specific Remedies. Also a Method of Treatment best adapted to the Brute Creation.”

In 1814 it was studied to prevent rabies in humans and animals. It was reported that using skullcap to prevent and treat rabies, in both humans and animals, prevented about 4,000 people and 1,000 cattle from being infected after being bitten by rabid dogs.

A detailed paper by Lyman Spaulding, MD was published in 1819 before the New York Historical Society on the “History and Use of Scutellaria Lateriflora in Hydrophobia”.

Benefits:
Medicinal properties include anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, increases menstrual flow, slightly astringent, nervine, sedative and strongly tonic.

Skullcap has been found useful in treating many nervous conditions such as anxiety, hysteria, epilepsy, delirium tremors and panic attacks.

It has also been found useful in treating the symptoms of withdrawal from barbiturates and tranquilizers.

Medicinal infusions of this herb have been used to promote menstruation.

An infusion of skullcap may also be helpful in treating throat infections and, due to its antispasmodic and sedative effects. It is also used for treating headaches from stress, neuralgia, and from incessant coughing.

This herb can also be used to induce sleep naturally without the negative effects of many prescription and over-the-counter sleep aids. It also helps with restlessness, clinching the jaw and muscle tension that can cause sleeplessness.

Skullcap is gaining some recognition as an alternative treatment for attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD).

This plant is sometimes used to treat the symptoms associated with anorexia nervosa, fibromyalgia and even Tourette’s syndrome.

Skullcap is also used as an herbal treatment for asthma and as a hiccup and hangover remedy.

Dosages:
The recommended dosage for adults is 1 to 2 grams of the dried herb, 2 to 3 cups of tea or 2 to 5 mL of the liquid extract three times daily.

To make a medicinal tea try adding one pint of boiling water to 1 oz. of the dried herb and steep for 10 minutes. This can be served in half cup serving every few hours.

To make a tincture you need a ½ pint jar, ½ cup of dried skullcap leaves and 100 proof vodka to fill the jar. It is not recommended that you give this tincture to young children because of the alcohol that is in it. Fill the jar with the ½ cup of dried skullcap leaves and then fill the rest of the jar with the vodka. Stir to make sure that it is blended well and put the lid on. Place the label on the jar with the name of the contents and the date that you prepared it. During the 1st week open, stir daily and put lid back on. For the next 5 weeks shake the jar once or twice a day. After the 6 weeks are up strain the leaves out using cheesecloth or coffee filter. At this time you can either pour the contents back into the jar or put into smaller jars with eye droppers as this is how you will measure it out to take it. Start slowly to make sure you have positive effects. You can dilute in warm water if desired.

Habitat:
This herb is a perennial plant and is native to North America. It prefers light shade to full sun and wet to moist soil with lots of organic matter.

Plant Description:
Skullcap grows to a height of 6-18 inches tall and has hairy light green to reddish green square stem with occasional branches. The leaves are opposite, heart shaped at the base, ½ to 2 ½ inches long and scalloped to coarsely serrated around the edges. The blue to lavender flowers are hooded, tube-shaped and two lipped. The upper lip forms a hood and the lower lip has two lobes. The plant blooms from May to August and the flowers are replaced by a two chamber seed pod containing four seeds. The root system consists of a taproot and rhizomes.

What Part of Plant Used:
The flowers and leaves are used for medicinal purposes and are collected during the summer when the plant is in bloom. The plant can be dried for later use.