Skullcap
OTHER NAME(S): American Skullcap, Blue Pimpernel, Blue Skullcap, Grande Toque, Helmet Flower, Hoodwort, Mad-Dog Herb, Mad-Dog Skullcap, Mad-Dog Weed, Mad Weed, Quaker Bonnet, Scullcap, Scutellaria, Scutellaire de Virginie, Scutellaire Latériflore, Scutelluria, Toque Bleue, Toque Casquée, Toque des Marais, Scutellaria lateriflora, Mad-Dog Weed, Escutelaria, Scutellaire
Overview
Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora ) is a plant native to the US and Europe. Chemicals in skullcap might cause sleepiness.
People use skullcap for anxiety, insomnia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse skullcap with Baikal Skullcap. They aren't the same plant.
Uses
We currently have no information for Skullcap overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if skullcap is safe. It might cause side effects such as decline in memory or thinking skills, stomach pain, and sleepiness.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if skullcap is safe. It might cause side effects such as decline in memory or thinking skills, stomach pain, and sleepiness.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if skullcap is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Surgery: Skullcap might slow down the central nervous system. Anesthesia and other medications used during surgery also have this effect. Stop taking skullcap at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with SkullcapSkullcap might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking skullcap with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of skullcap might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
References
- Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
- The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler's Honest Herbal, 4th ed., Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press, 1999.
- Gafner S, Bergeron C, Batcha LL, et al. Inhibitor of [3H]-LSD binding to 5-HT7 receptors by flavonoids from Scutellaria lateriflora. J Nat Prod 2003;66:535-7.
- Wolfson P, Hoffmann DL. An investigation into the efficacy of Scutellaria lateriflora in healthy volunteers. Altern Ther Health Med 2003;9:74-8.
- Sarris, J., Panossian, A., Schweitzer, I., Stough, C., and Scholey, A. Herbal medicine for depression, anxiety and insomnia: a review of psychopharmacology and clinical evidence. Eur.Neuropsychopharmacol. 2011;21(12):841-860.
- Awad, R., Arnason, J. T., Trudeau, V., Bergeron, C., Budzinski, J. W., Foster, B. C., and Merali, Z. Phytochemical and biological analysis of skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora L.): a medicinal plant with anxiolytic properties. Phytomedicine. 2003;10(8):640-649.
- Li, J., Ding, Y., Li, X. C., Ferreira, D., Khan, S., Smillie, T., and Khan, I. A. Scuteflorins A and B, dihydropyranocoumarins from Scutellaria lateriflora. J Nat.Prod. 2009;72(6):983-987.
- Brock C, Whitehouse J, Tewfik I, Towell T. American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora): a randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study of its effects on mood in healthy volunteers. Phytother Res 2014;28(5):692-8.