Scullcap (Blue)
Botanical name: (Scutellaria barbata)
Also Known As: Scullcap or skullcap, barbat skullcap, skute barbata, or herba scutellariae barbatae
Scullcap (also spelled "Skullcap") has traditionally been used internally for nervousness and convulsions, irritability, insomnia, and neuralgia. Scullcap may act as a sedative, to relax spasms, lower fever and stimulate the kidneys, and has anti—toxic effects. Scullcap may be an herb of choice for drug or alcohol—dependent people while undergoing a program to remove the addiction. Excessive use of scullcap may cause confusion, giddiness, stupor and twitching.
Indigenous to North America, scullcap is very abundant throughout the land, growing in damp places, ditches, meadows and by the sides of ponds, from Connecticut, south to Florida and Texas.
Scullcap is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of conditions including epilepsy, hepatitis, infections, and cancer. The flavonoid components of scullcap are thought responsible for its activity, although as so often happens, scientists are just not sure where scullcap derives its benefits from. An herb used as a tea, it has no side effects and is also a mild tranquillizer. Research suggests neuraminidase, which is a substance needed by the H5N1 virus to reproduce, may be inhibited.
Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration, and this product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. We at eSutras do not recommend internal use of supplements or herbs without prior consultation with your doctor or herbalist.
