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Botanical Name: Scutellaria lateriflora
Common Names: Mad-dog skullcap, scullcap
Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is native to North America, but is
now widely cultivated in Europe and other areas of the world. It has been used
for over two hundred years as a mild relaxant and has long been hailed as an
effective therapy for
anxiety, nervous tension, and convulsions. Because of its
calming effects on the nervous and musculoskeletal system, it was also at one
time considered to be a remedy for rabies, thus it's name "mad dog weed."
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Scutellaria lateriflora is one species of
skullcap that is used in herbal preparations. The
plant derives its name from the caplike appearance
of the outer whorl of its small blue flowers.
Skullcap is a slender, heavily branched plant that
grows to a height of two to four feet and blooms
each July.
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The parts of the skullcap plant used for medicinal purposes are the leaves.
These are harvested in June from a three- to four-year-old skullcap plant.
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While scientific studies have not been conducted on the medicinal properties
of Scutellaria lateriflora, its current uses, based on traditional and
clinical practice, include:
- Treatment of muscle spasms
- Calming of the nerves
It has also been used to treat symptoms associated with:
Chinese Skullcap
A closely related herb, Chinese skullcap
(Scuterllaria baicalensis) has actually been the subject of a number of
studies, including those on animals and people. It has anti-oxidative,
anti-inflammatory, and antihistamine properties, which can help treat allergies
such as hay fever (called allergic rhinitis), particularly when used with other
herbs, including stinging nettle.
Cancer
Chinese skullcap is also used in Traditional Chinese
Medicine to treat tumors. Early laboratory studies investigating this
traditional use are emerging and showing preliminary promise for combating
bladder, liver, and other types of cancers, at least in test tubes.
In terms of clinical studies on people, skullcap is also one of the eight
herbs that make up PC-SPES, an alternative treatment for prostate cancer. (It is
important to note, however, that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA]
recently issued a warning to consumers that PC SPES may contain undeclared
prescription drug ingredients that could cause dangerous side effects.)
Other
Chinese laboratory research has isolated an element
present in skullcap that may prove useful in treating hepatitis B and has
suggested that the antioxidant properties of Chinese skullcap may prove
beneficial for preventing heart disease or limiting the damage following a heart
attack. Much more research needs to be done in these areas before conclusions
can be drawn.
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Skullcap is available as a powder or liquid extract.
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Pediatric
Although not common, skullcap may be used for calmative purposes in children
and administered as a mild tea. Use either prepackaged tea bags, letting it
steep for approximately 2 minutes or add 1 tsp of dried leaves to 1 cup of
boiling water and steep for 2 minutes. (Shorter steeping time makes for milder
strength teas).
The tea should be dosed according to the child's age and weight as
follows:
- Children 1 to 2 years (24 lb [11 kg] or less): ¼ cup one to three
times per day
- Children 3 to 6 years (25 to 48 lb [11 to 22 kg]): ½ cup one to four
times per day
- Children 7 to 11 years (49 to 95 lb [22 to 43 kg]): ¾ cup one to four
times per day
- Children 12 and older (over 95 lb [43 kg]): 1 cup one to four times
per day
Adult
The following are recommended adult doses for skullcap:
- Dried herb: 1 to 2 grams per day
- Tea: Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 teaspoon of dried herb. Steep 20
to 30 minutes. Drink 2 to 3 cups per day.
- Fluid extract (1:1 in 25% alcohol): 2 to 4 mL (40 to 120 drops), three
times daily
- Tincture (1:5 in 45% alcohol): 2 to 5 mL (40 to 150 drops), three
times per day
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The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and
treating disease. Herbs, however, contain active substances that can trigger
side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For
these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a
practitioner knowledgeable in the field of botanical medicine.
There are mixed opinions as to the safety of skullcap because it has, in the
past, been contaminated with Teucrium species, a group of plants known to
cause liver problems. It is therefore important that skullcap be obtained from a
reliable source.
Overdose of skullcap tincture produces giddiness, stupor, mental confusion,
twitching, irregular heartbeat, and epileptic-like symptoms. Skullcap should not
be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
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While there are no reports in the scientific literature to suggest that
skullcap interacts with any conventional medications, it does possess sedative
properties. Therefore, skullcap should be used with caution, if at all, by those
who are taking benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety medications) such as
diazepam or
alprazolam, barbiturates (medications often prescribed for sleep disorders or
seizures) such as pentobarbital, or other sedative medications (including
antihistamines).
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lycopene and Sho-saiko-to on hepatocarcinogenesis in a rat model of sponstaneous
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The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the
accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application,
use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury
and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability,
negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard
to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any
drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is
not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the
information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized
healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package
inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and
contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed
herein.
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Reviewed: 02/2006
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