Skullcap

Scutellaria lateriflora

Skullcap is a cooling nervine, better for restlessness than anxiety states, so good for insomnia with restlessness and irritability. It is a central nervous system relaxant and restorative, useful in treating nervous exhaustion and debility, and is thus useful in the early stages of treating chronic fatigue syndrome.

In grand mal skullcap combines well with mistletoe, reducing the severity and frequency of attacks, and can be used alongside anti-epilepsy drugs.

It combines well with hops and passion flower for hyperctivity, and with valerian for hysteria and drug addiction.

The best preparation is a tincture made from the fresh plant. This should be a rich red colour when you press it out. It can also be drunk as a tea, and some traditional American herbalists also use it in smoking mixtures.

Very large doses are said to cause stupor, giddiness, and confusion.

Actions

• Sedative
• Cooling Nervine
• CNS Relaxant and Restorative
• Antispasmodic
• Anticonvulsive

Uses

• Nervous tension
• Insomnia
• Peri-menopausal hot flushes precipitated by stress
• Chronic fatigue
• Hysteria
• Hyperactivity
• Drug addiction