Skullcap
Scutellaria lateriflora
Also known as Blue Pimpernel, Blue Skullcap, Helmetflower, Hoodwort, Mad-dog Skullcap, Mad-dog Weed, Madweed, and Scullcap
History: Skullcap is native to North America and grows in the wet places in northeastern United States and Canada. The plant was well known among the Cherokee, as well as many other other Native American tribes, as a strong stimulant to increase menstrual flow and a medicinal herb for females. It was used in some tribes as a ceremonial plant primarily used to admit young girls formally into womanhood. The Iroquois used an infusion of the root to keep the throat clear, while other tribes used closely related species of the Skullcap as bitter tonics for the kidneys. The herb was also used to cause visions and as a ceremonial plant to be smoked like tobacco.European settlers did adapt Skullcap into their medicinal herbs; however, they used it in a tea as a sedative and nerve tonic.
Modern Uses: Insomnia, anxiety, nervous tension, and spasms.
Active Ingredients: Wogonin, baicalin, glucuronic acid, aglycone flavones, flavonoids, chrysin, iridoids, neo-clerodanes, scutapins, and isoscutellarein
Actions: Nervine tonic, sedative, anti-spasmodic, analgesic, hypnotic
Complementary Herbs: Valarian