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.
