Remedies Using Skullcap Herb

The American skullcap herb or scutellaria lateriflora is known for its mild sedative effect. It is often used as a natural remedy for anxiety, convulsions, nervousness, stress and sleeping disorders. The dried leaves and top parts of the plants are used to make skullcap tea. Chinese skullcap or scutellaria baicalensis usually uses the root. Skullcap leaves contain the highest amount of flavonoids. Other constituents in skullcap include baicalin, chrysin glucuronide, essential oils, scutellarin and tannin.

Skullcap is one of the popular herbs used for treating alcohol, caffeine, drug and nicotine withdrawal symptoms. People who are in the process of withdrawing from an addiction will go through delirium. They will feel disoriented and lethargic and get easily agitated or irritated. Drinking skullcap tea 3 times a day may help overcome the problem.

Skullcap may also help induce menstrual flow because it is a natural emmenagogue. And because of its pain relieving activity, it is also helpful in relieving menstrual cramps as well as other pains such as headache and back pain. Since it has antispasmodic activity, it is also used to prevent seizure and may help as a remedy for epilepsy. There are some studies that indicate its ability in managing blood pressure.

To make skullcap tea, steep 1 teaspoon of the dried leaves in a cup of boiling water for 20 minutes to half an hour. Or you can buy skullcap tincture and add a few drops of it into a glass of warm water. If you want to drink skullcap tea to treat withdrawal symptoms, add 15 drops of the tincture in warm water.

Avoid drinking more than 3 cups of skullcap tea a day and don't take it continuously for more than a month. Skullcap extract is also available in capsules to be taken as a dietary supplement.

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