Skullcap
Actions:
- S. Lateriflora: Relaxing and restorative nervine, antispasmodic
- S. Baicalensis: Antibacterial, antipyretic, diuretic, antispasmodic, cholagogue
Plant Part: Aerial Parts & Roots
Usage:
Aerial Parts – S. Lateriflora
- Infusion: Use the fresh herb if possible as a calming tea in nervous exhaustion, excitability, over-anxiety, etc. The tea can also be helpful for PMT or taken -combined with wild lettuce or passionflower- at night for insomnia.
- Tincture: Best made from the fresh herb and a very potent calming nervine. Take 5ml as a simple or combine with lemon balm (1ml) for any nervous stresses or depression.
Root – S. Baicalensis
- Decoction: Usually in combination with other cold bitter herbs to purge heat from the system in gastric, chest, and urinary infections. Also combined with other herbs to reduce high blood pressure.
History:
A comparative newcomer to the European Materia Medica, blue skullcap was used by Native Americans for rabies and to promote menstruation. It Is characterized by its dish shaped seed-pods and flowers grow on only one side of the stem, hence its botanical name S. lateriflora.
Today it is considered as one of the best herbal nervines – sedative, tonic, and antispasmodic. It can also be helpful in premenstrual tension and has been used for epilepsy. Harvest late in the flowering period when some of the characteristic skullcap-shaped seed pods have formed. The Chinese plant, S. baicalensis (huang qin), is very different and mainly used for the stomach and lung problems. It can also be useful in urinary tract infections (UTI) and for skin infections. It is believed to contain high levels of melatonin which help combat insomnia and chronic headaches. Korean research suggests it may reduce the risk of gum and tooth disease.