Skullcap

Botanical Name: Scutellaria lateriflora | Family: Labiatae

Common name(s): Skullcap, (Virginian) Scullcap, Mad-dog Scullcap

GROWING

  • Perennial, herbaceous | Zones 4-8 | Partial shade | 18-24” | blooms July – Sept (small blue flowers)
  • Likes to be wet in the spring.
  • Stratify for a minimum of a week if starting indoors (or plant outdoors in the fall). Germinates in 2 weeks.

Companions: ferverfew, catnip, valerian

HARVESTING

Aerial parts from 3” above ground while flowering.

PREPARATION / DOSAGE

Infusion: 1-2 t to one cup boiling water, infuse for 10-15 minutes. Drink 3x/day or as needed

Tincture: take 2-4ml of the tincture 3x/day

Combinations: valerian

MEDICAL

Constituents: Flavonoid glycoside including scutellarin and scutellarein, trace of volitile oil, bitter

Actions: nervine, sedative, antispasmodic

Uses: general rejuvenation of the nervous system, nervous tension, hysteria, epilepsy, exhaustion, depression, PMS

Cautions: overdose of tincture causes symptoms similar to epilepsy

CHINESE MEDICINE*

Uses the root. Cold energy, bitter taste. Removes heat toxins from the heart, lungs, and liver. Used to treat jaundice, pneumonia, among others.

SOURCES 

  • Homegrown Herbs, Tammi Hartung
  • Holistic Herbal, David Hoffman
  • A Modern Herbal, Mrs. M. Grieve
  • *The Way of Herbs, Michael Tierra (gives botanical name as Scuttelaria baicalensis)
  • http://voices.yahoo.com/herbs-skullcap-growing-tips-medicinal-uses-5010296.html
  • photo credit: intheburg via photopin cc

I got some skullcap from Emily during one of her wildcrafting classes and planted it down with the valerian in the orchard. I kind-of love it that plants used with each other grow well together as companions.