SKULLCAP

Latin Name: Scutellaria lateriflora

Alternate Names: Blue Skullcap, Blue Pimpernel, Helmet Flower, Quaker's Hat, Mad Dog Weed

Family: LAMIACEAE

Parts Used: Above ground portion.

Properties: Alterative, Anaphrodisiac, Anodyne, Antibacterial, Antispasmodic, Astringent, Bitter Tonic, Cerebral Tonic, Diuretic, Febrifuge, Nervine, Sedative, Spinal Tonic, Yin Tonic.

Internal Uses: Alcoholism, Arthritis, Convulsions, Delerium, Drug Withdrawal, Dysmenorrhea, Emotional Trauma, Epilepsy, Fear, Headache, Hiccups, High Cholesterol, Hypertension, Hysteria, Incontinence, Insomnia, Multiple Sclerosis, Neuralgia, Neurasthenia, Pain, Panic Attacks, Parkinson's Disease, Restlessness, Rheumatism, Spasms, Spermatorrhea, Stress, Tremors

Internal Applications: Tea (don't boil), Tincture, Capsules.

Skullcap calms the emotions, quiets overexcitability, and improves motor ability and impairment of the senses. Scutellarin is transformed by hydrolysis into scutellarein which helps stimulate the brain to produce more endorphins. It is said to enhance awareness and calmness. When Skullcap is used as an aid to drug and alcohol withdrawal it can help prevent convulsions. It also relieves pain due to early Multiple Sclerosis.

Energetics: Bitter, Cold, Dry.

Chemical Constituents: Lignan, tannin, essential oil, flavonoids (scutellarin), scutellonin, bitter (scutellaine) palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, phenols, tannin, calcium, B vitamins.

Contraindications: Works best when given over a period of time. Avoid during pregnancy. Large doses may cause confusion, giddiness and twitching.

Comments: The herb is called Skullcap because the inverted calyx cup looks like a helmet with the visor raised - it also looks somewhat like a skull. The nickname Mad Dog Weed is because Dr. Vanderveer used Skullcap in the 1700's to treat 400 people who had been bitten by rabid dogs. The speciew name lateriflora refers to the fact that the flowers only grow on one side of the stem. In pagan handfasting ceremonies, a cup of Skullcap is passed when couples want to make vows that extend beyond this life.