Upon hearing the word “skullcap,” some people think of the hat the Pope wears during public appearances. However, skullcap can also refer to two herbs: American skullcap (Scutellarialateriflora) and Chinese skullcap (Scutellariabaicalensis).
Although these skullcap plants come from the same family, they aren’t interchangeable, and have differences in terms of their uses, physical characteristics and locations where they thrive. For instance, American skullcap is native to North America (although it’s now found in Europe and in other parts of the world), while Chinese skullcap can be traced back to China and parts of Russia.The American skullcap is slender and has many branches, and can grow up to 2 to 4 feet, while the Chinese skullcap plant has single stems that bear blue or purple flowers and reaches 30 to 60 cm tall (roughly 1 foot).
Health Benefits of American Skullcap
Various studies have indicated that the American skullcap may help protect against Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, anxiety and depression because of its antioxidant properties. This herb can also act as a:
• Sedative — American skullcap has potential as a treatment for epilepsy, hysteria, panic attacks, anxiety and delirium tremens. It also helps induce sleep naturally in people with insomnia.
• Antispasmodic — The herb was used to help clear the throat, and address neuralgia, stress-caused headaches, after-effects of incessant coughing, anorexia nervosa, fibromyalgia and mild Tourette’s syndrome. American skullcap can also be useful for people suffering from withdrawal symptoms from tranquilizers and barbiturates.
Health Benefits of Chinese Skullcap
Chinese skullcap has antihistamine properties that may help relieve asthma and allergies. It also offers antiviral and antibacterial abilities that may work against the following pathogens:
VIRUSES BACTERIAL STRAINS
• Influenza A (H1N1 and H3N3)
• Influenza B
• Sendai virus (parainfluenza)
• Respiratory syncytial virus
• Vesicular stomatitis
• HIV-1
• Hepatitis A and C
• Hepatitis B (resistant and non-resistant)
• Coliphage MS2 • Candida albicans
• Chlamydia trachomatis
• E. coli
• Enterecoccusfaecalis
• Helicobacter pylori
• Klebsiellapneumoniae
• Salmonella spp.
• Salmonella paratyphi
• Shigellaflexneri
• Staphylococcus aureus (resistant and non-resistant)
Other properties attributed to Chinese skullcap include:
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Nervine
• Neuroprotective
• Anodyne
• Antispasmodic
• Diuretic
• Antifungal
• Anticonvulsant
• Astringent
• Anti-angiogenic
• Febrifuge
• Antitumor
• Antihypertensive
• Expectorant
• Hemostatic
There have been some animal studies suggesting that Chinese skullcap may be effective in alleviating symptoms of diabetes and hypertension or high blood pressure, but more research is needed to see if humans can reap these benefits, too.
What Is Skullcap Used For?
While both skullcap plants can be used medicinally, different parts of the plants are used. In American skullcap, it’s the leaves that are more useful, while the roots are taken from Chinese skullcap. For around two centuries, it was said that American skullcap was widely used as a mild relaxant and as a form of treatment for anxiety, nervous tension and convulsions.Some Native American tribes used American skullcap to treat rabies and schizophrenia, which is why the herb is called mad dog, and stimulate menstrual flow by way of its emmenagogue properties. American skullcap was also used during spiritual ceremonies to encourage visions.
Chinese skullcap is arguably the most-studied skullcap herb. Apart from being grown as an ornamental plant, it was prominent in traditional medicine for its ability to address conditions like:
• Allergies
• Fevers
• Headaches
• Irritability
• Inflammation
• Urinary tract infections29
• Nosebleed
• Jaundice
• Diarrhoea
• Dysentery
• Vaginal bleeding30
• Sores, swelling and boils
There is some evidence noting that skullcap can assist with weight loss, although more research is needed to fully confirm this benefit.
How to Grow Skullcap
American skullcap prefers partial shade to full sun, and typically blooms from May to August in USDA zones 4 to 10. Chinese skullcap flourishes in sunny areasand is known to thrive in sandy and dry soils especially in mountains.
Skullcap seeds germinate at a naturally high rate (around 75 to 80 percent) and fare better if stratified for a week or so. Place the seeds in a sealed plastic bag with moistened vermiculite, sand or a moist paper towel. Keep the bag inside the refrigerator for a week. If you’re using vermiculite, use three times the amount compared to the seeds and moisten sparingly, as increased moisture can cause mould.
After the week-long period, start sowing seeds. They can germinate in around two weeks’ time. Begin transplanting the plant outdoors once the threat of frost is gone, making sure to put a 12-inch gap in between rows.
Water the plant moderately and ensure that the soil is moist and well-drained. Apart from using seeds, you can propagate skullcaps by dividing roots or cuttings that may spread and clump. A benefit of growing skullcaps this way is for the new plants to protect themselves from major pests. Harvest the skullcap plants once flowers are in full bloom. Use a pair of scissors or shears to retrieve the flowers or leaves at least 3 inches above the ground.
Side Effects of Skullcap
Before using skullcap, consult a physician or trusted health expert as the herb is linked to different side effects and interactions. Both American and Chinese skullcaps were said to increase the sedative effects of the following:
• Anticonvulsants like phenytoin (Dilantin) and valproic acid (Depakote)
• Barbiturates
• Benzodiazepines like alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium)
• Insomnia-treating drugs like zolpidem (Ambien), zaleplon (Sonata), eszopiclone (Lunesta) and ramelteon (Rozerem)
• Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline (Elavil)
• Alcohol
• Herbs like valerian, kava and catnip
Pregnant and breastfeeding women must avoid skullcap due to potential complications that can develop. American skullcap tinctures, when consumed in high doses, may also trigger adverse effects like giddiness, stupor, mental confusion, twitching, irregular heartbeat and seizures. Meanwhile, Chinese skullcap isn’t recommended for people with stomach or spleen problems, and diabetics.
Excessive consumption of Chinese skullcap can raise a person’s risk for hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar levels and increase the effect of diabetes drugs. It may also interact with cyclosporines, which are often used to inhibit liver, kidney or heart transplant rejection, by preventing their absorption into the body and lessening their overall bioavailability.
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