Skullcap [Scutellaria laterifolia]

Perennial
Native Habitat: North America
Believed Medicinal properties and applications: Anti-inflammatory, abortifacient, anti-spasmodic, astringent, emmenagogue, febrifuge, nervine, sedative, tonic, ADD, throat infections, nervousness, insomnia, sedative, headaches, fever, abdominal cramps, high blood pressure, coughs, heart palpitations, allergies, nervous tension, muscle tension.[1,2 (Rain 1990 146)]

Skullcap was and is used extensively by the great Cherokee peoples, and other Native American tribes as a medicine, and a mystical tool for inducing visions during ceremonies and spiritual practices.[2] The foliage is used and steeped into a tea, rather than a decoction, which is typically prepared when dealing with roots and barks.[1 (Rain 1990 146)] Long before the modern scientific inquiry into Skullcap and many other botanicals, these wise individuals had already discovered the medicinal qualities of these plants. Today, a branch of chemistry known as phytochemistry teaches us that these botanicals produce miraculous and mindbogglingly sophisticated potential pharmacological alkaloids and other chemical constituents.[3] Don't just mindlessly believe people that claim there is no scientific evidence to support these herbs and their potential.

Native Americans make a tea out of Skullcap and use it as a sedative, for headaches, fevers, abdominal cramps, insomnia, high blood pressure, coughs, heart palpitations, and allergies.[1 (Rain 1990 146)] Modern herbalist use it as an anti-inflammatory, abortifacient, anti-spasmodic, astringent, emmenagogue, febrifuge, nervine, sedative, and tonic.[2] It's also used by herbalists as a natural remedy for ADD, throat infections, nervousness, insomnia, and many other ailments.[2] While it's traditionally prepared in the form of a tea, it can also be made into a tincture. A tincture has a very long shelf life, and also has an optimal potency not attainable via the typical tea. They are made using high proof alcohol like everclear, which is capable of extracting alkaloids that water can not. It's best to do it yourself unless you have the money then you can go the easy route!

Essential oils can also be captured from skullcap by means of steam distillation. Although the foliage is typically used, all parts of the plant are useful. This is a general rule of thumb when dealing with medicinal plants. According to my Native American friends, ancient knowledge teaches that all parts of various plants usually have different medicinal applications, and studies suggest that because of the different alkaloid content that can be found in different parts of the herbs that makes sense. It's more cost effective to buy quality organic herbs in bulk and create your own medicines than it is to just buy a tincture or extract in my opinion. Plus when you make it yourself, you know the quality that's gone into it.

My experiences with this herb have shown me that it does have mildly psychoactive properties which are mild yet very real. These psychoactive properties are why I believe the Native Americans used it ceremonially to "inducing visions". It's not as intense as something like Kratom, the popular opiate-like herb, yet obviously active. I believe there is much more to it than the average person discovers, and through intuition and observation one can really get to know the plant. For use as a natural inebriant, I conclude that it shows great promise when used in infusions intended to induce mood lifting and soothing euphoria. For use by herablists in medicinal applications, it's believed to be a generally healing herb. I also find it to be a very pleasurable herbal muscle relaxer, much like Indian Warrior.

Skullcap contains many naturally recurring alkaloids. It contains pehnolics in the leaves, stems and even roots like baicalin, baicalein, wogonin, and oroxylin A.[4,5] The herb also contains 5,6,7-trihydroxy-2'- methoxyflavone and its 7-O-glucuronide.[6] Each one of these phytochemicals has their own unique medicinal properties when studied in laboratory settings. They are believed to be what gives the plant its therapeutic qualities. You would be blown away by what researchers have discovered about alkaloids like these. I'd like to see people in the west embrace this ancient art on a main stream level like the great folks in some European countries..

Shamans have discovered that the color of a plants flowers can be used to identify its qualities.[7 (Heaven, Charing 2006 12)] Both the color blue and purple are neighbors, with similar qualities. These colors are soothing, and calming to the nerves.[8] The flowers of Skullcap are purple, while the plant is generally soothing. Do you see this organic synchronization that I'm pointing out? This is why Buddhist and Shamans use color visualization techniques when meditating. There is science behind color psychology too. It's a very fascinating subject to research and I highly suggest looking into it further.

Thank you for taking the time to read my article on Skullcap. If you like it, please share it on your social media networks, and comment in the comment section found below the references. I've cited my sources further down the page underneath the legal disclaimer. There is also a menu down there where you can navigate through this website furher. Thank you! :)

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