Scutellaria lateriflora L. Virginian skullcap, mad dog skullcap
Family: Labiatae
Description: “Perennial with slender rhizomes and thin ovate-lanceolate toothed leaves. Blue, occasionally pink or white, flowers are produced in one-sided, mostly axillary racemes in summer. H 15-75cm, S to 45cm. Fully hardy.” (Bown, 1995)
Habitat: USA
Harvest: “Plants are cut when flowering.” (Bown, 1995)
Parts used: Aerial parts.
Dosage: 1:5 2-5ml, dried 5g daily;
Actions:
-DIFFUSIVE, STIMULATING AND RELAXING NERVINE (Priest and Priest,1983);
-SEDATIVE,
-ANTISPASMODIC,
-ANTICONVULSIVE (Wren, 1988);
Indications:
-nervous disorders
-Nervous tension (more antispasmodic than betony -GT)
-Hysteria, extreme over-reaction, (Wren, 1988);
-Nervous exhaustion,
-Neurasthenia eg. post-viral/ME state (GT),
-Insomnia (as part of combination, eg. with Passiflora) (Ody, 1993);
-Epilepsy (Bartram, 1998) NB Not as effective as diazepam treatment GT.
Safety: Its use over hundreds of years suggests it is both safe and effective. Recent suggestions of liver toxicity are probably based on toxicity of germander, which is occasionally sold as skullcap (Ody).
Overdose symptoms may include giddiness, stupor, confusion of mind, limb-twitching, intermission of pulse or ‘epileptic symptoms’ (GT).
Contra-indications: None known.
Key Constituents (Wren):
-Scutellarin, a flavonoid glycoside, and other flavonoids,
-Iridoids (bitter principle),
-Volatile oil and waxes,
-Tannins;
Pharmacology: Scutellarin has recently been discovered to stimulate not only the absorption and use of Vit B3 (which protects and gives resilience to the nervous system as a whole) but may also play a vital role in regulating the balance of the hormones, adrenaline and noradrenaline; an imbalance of the two often gives the impression of nervous distress which is in fact due to hormone disturbance.
The bitterness will stimulate gastric mucosa as well as tighten and tone various tissues. (Hall, 1998) Not generally deemed of much scientific interest although some previous research into its spasmolytic activity led to its inclusion in the BHC in the 1930s (GT).
Clinical trials: None found.
Toxicology: No studies found.
History: Name derived from Latin scutella, small dish, referring to the pouch-like appearance of the fruit’s calyx. Used by Native Americans for rabies and menstraul problems.
Traditional and Practitioner sources:
“Use an infusion, fresh if possible, to make a soothing tea for nervous exhaustion, excitability, overanxiety and premenstrual tension.
The tincture, best from the fresh herb, is a potent remedy for calming the nerves. Take 5ml or combine with 10 drops of lemon balm for nervous stress and depression.” Penelope Ody(1993: 98)
“Indicated for nervous irritation of the cerebrospinal nervous system.
-Functional nervous exhaustion, post-febrile nervous weakness.
-Chorea, hysteria, agitation and epileptiform convulsions -with Pulsatilla or Cimicifuga.
-Insomnia, nightmares, restless sleep -with Passiflora.” Priest and Priest (1983:80)
“A rebalancer of adrenal hormones, and of all the body processes that adrenal distress disturbs.” Dorothy Hall (1998: 280)
