Skullcap
Scutellaria lateriflora

Photo Copyright Karen Bergeron Bergeron 2003

Skullcap Habitat

  Skullcap is a Native N. American perennial herb, found from New York to West Virginia and southward to South Carolina, Alabama and Missouri. Growing in rich woods, thickets, bluffs and along roadsides in wet ditches. Scutellaria lateriflora, the skullcap that is most used in herbal medicine, prefers a moist shady environment. Other species of skullcap can be found in habitats ranging from deep woods to as sunny meadows.

Skullcap Description

The root is a creeping short rhizome, which sends up hairy, square stems, 6 to 18 inches high, branched, or, in small specimens, nearly simple, with opposite leaves, heart-shaped at the base, 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches long, scalloped or toothed edges. The blue to lavender flowers are in racemes and grow from the leaf axils of the upper plant. They are hooded, tube shaped, and two lipped the upper lip being the hood and the lower lip having two shallow lobes. Scutellaria lateriflora is a weak stemmed plant that often lops over and forms new roots where it touches the ground. Other Skullcaps are more upright. Flowers bloom from May to August, gather above ground parts, in the summer as flowers bloom, dry and store for later herb use.

Growing Skullcap

 Skullcap is easy in a sunny position and any ordinary garden soil. Sow seed in early spring after danger of frost is past.

Skullcap Herbal Use and Medicinal Properties

  Skullcap is a powerful medicinal herb, it is used in alternative medicine as an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, slightly astringent, emmenagogue, febrifuge, nervine, sedative and strongly tonic. Some valuable constituents found in the plant are Scutellarin, Catalpol, other Volatile oils, bitter iridoids and Tannins. Scientific studies are proving this to be a valuable plant in many areas for mental disorders. Skullcap is used in the treatment of a wide range of nervous conditions including epilepsy, insomnia, hysteria, anxiety, delerium tremens, withdrawal from barbiturates and tranquilisers. A medicinal infusion of the plant is used to promote menstruation, it should not be given to pregnant women since it can induce a miscarriage, the infusion is also used in the treatment of throat infections. The infusion is given for nervous headaches, neuralgia and in headache arising from incessant coughing, pain, and inducing sleep when necessary, without any unpleasant symptoms following. Skullcap is currently being used as an alternative medicine to treat ADD and a number of nerve disorders.

Cautions - Should be used with some caution since in overdose it causes giddiness, stupor, confusion and twitching. Skullcap has been linked to liver damage, though it is suspected that the source of damage was actually from Germander being substituted for Skullcap. Use in moderation and avoid if you have liver problems.

Folklore
 Well known among the Cherokee and other Native American tribes, as a strong emmenagogue and female medicinal herb. Used in some tribes as a ceremonial plant to introduce young girls into womanhood. Once believed of use in the treatment of rabies and schizophrenia. Also used to induce visions.

Recipe
"Medicinal" tea: To 1 oz. of the powdered herb add a pint of boiling water, steep 10 min. give in 1/2 teacup doses, every few hours.

Laterifolia is the species most often used by herbalists, Its flowers are small and leaves triangular.  However, you can use any species of skullcap for herbal teas and tinctures.

All Skullcaps have this unique seed pod and distinctive hooded flowers. Skullcap leaf size and shapes vary widely amongst the species. Color of flowers range from red-violet to blue-violet often with white markings.

Skullcap Links

Other Monographs
http://www.healthandage.com/html/res/com/ConsHerbs/Skullcapch.html

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g2603/is_0006/ai_2603000665

Article by Deb Jackson & Karen Bergeron

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