Lybrate Logo
Get the App
For Doctors
Login/Sign-up
Book Appointment
Treatment
Ask a Question
Plan my Surgery
Health Feed
tab_logos
About
tab_logos
Health Feed

Skullcap Health Benefits, Uses And Its Side Effects

Last Updated: Sep 11, 2020

Topic Image

Skullcap herb has been used extensively for years as an alternative medicine to help heal inflammation, provide relief from spasms, stimulate blood flow in the pelvic region, encourage menstruation, help eliminate headaches, reduce fever, treat gout and work a sedative for relaxation. Additionally, skullcap herb is also used to treat conditions such as epilepsy, insomnia, hysteria and anxiety.

Skullcap

Botanical Name of skullcap is Scutellaria lateriflora. It comes in two varieties: merican skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) and Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis). Skullcap is the name of a flowering perennial plant from the mint family, Lamiaceae.Also called mad dog or blue skullcap,these are hardy, moderate sized plant with blue or purple flowers from the leaf bases on the main stem.

Nutritional Value of Skullcap

Skullcap contains beneficial and essential substances like flavonoids, iridol, sesquiterpene, tannins, bitter substances, essential oil, resin, iron, silicon, calcium, magnesium, lignin and wogonin. Chinese skullcap rich in these constituents, it helps in providing a robust health condition.

Health Benefits of Skullcap

Topic Image

Mentioned below are the best health benefits of consuming Chinese skullcap herb. You can use skullcap root powder, skullcap root extract, or consume skullcap root tea to manage diabetes, reduce inflammation, detoxification, and weight loss management. We also discuss some adverse effects of using a Chinese skullcap root herb in various health conditions.

Chinese Skullcap Anti-Cancer Properties

The antioxidant flavone components of the herb prevent the spread of cancerous cells. It also slows down tumor growth, induces apoptosis (sudden cell death), in cancerous cells and is used for natural treatment of cancer. Skullcap extract is toxic to cancer cells, such as brain tumor cells, prostate cancer cells, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines.

Skullcap Calms Anxiety as a Nerve Tonic

Oxidative stress affects some brain-related diseases, such as anxiety, Alzheimer’s disease, depression and Parkinson’s disease. Skullcap may neutralize and even get rid off toxic free radicals from the body. When they are eliminated, oxidative stress is greatly reduced. Thus skullcap herb may provide significant antioxidant effects, which could make it a great option for reducing anxiety.

Benefits of Skullcap for Inflammation

Skullcap or scutellaria has some pretty effective anti-inflammatory properties. Many people who suffer with arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases use skullcap as a home remedy.

Studies have shown additional benefits by the use of skullcap to those who have Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease due to its anti-inflammatory effects.

Skullcap Root Manages Diabetes Problem

Insulin and glucose regulation is essential is controlled by the use of skullcap herb.It appears that skullcap is able to increase the production of insulin by the pancreas and helps to regulate the insulin levels in the body. Additionally, it has been linked to lower cholesterol levels, which is an exacerbating factor in diabetes.

Reduces Risk of Heart Disease By Consuming Chinese Skullcap Herb

Skullcap herb is able to reduce the level of cholesterol in the heart and thus lower the chances of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, coronary heart diseases, and strokes that often accompany the build-up of plaque in the arteries.

Skullcap Herbs Lowers Fever Caused from Flu

Skullcap herb is also effective in reducing fever. Tests performed on subjects revealed its effects on loewering the bodu temperature.

Treatment of Epilepsy and Reduction of Muscle Spasms By Using Skullcap

Chinese Skullcap soothes muscle spasms, muscle twitching and may aid in ailments that involve involuntary limb movement, such as Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy.

Skullcap Acts as Strong Detoxifying Herbs to Cleanse Your Body

Skullcap tea helps to detoxify our body and boost our overall health. It has been associated with an increased antioxidant activity in the liver, which is one of the slowest-recovering organs, and this effect can significantly boost the efficiency of the liver. Chinese Skullcap herb extracts reduces toxin levels in the body and blood, thereby improving overall health and wellness.

Benefits of Skullcap Herb for Weight Loss

The reduction of triglycerides stimulated by the skullcap herb can help with rapid weight loss effectively.

Uses of Skullcap

Skullcap has been found remedial in treating symptoms of withdrawal from barbiturates and tranquilizers.Medicinal infusions of this herb have been used to promote and manage menstruation.

An infusion of skullcap herb may also be helpful in treating throat infections and, due to its antispasmodic and sedative effects it is also used for treating headaches from stress, neuralgia, and from incessant coughing. Skullcap has gained some recognition as an alternative treatment for attention deficit disorder (ADHD/ADD).

This plant is sometimes considered to treat the symptoms associated with anorexia nervosa, fibromyalgia and even mild Tourette’s syndrome. Chinese skullcap is also used effectively as a herbal cure for asthma and as a hiccup and hangover remedy.

pms_banner

Side-Effects & Allergies of Skullcap

Excessive use of skullcap may cause stupor, confusion, irregular heartbeat, twitching, giddiness, nausea, and lightheadedness, as well as seizures in extreme cases. Pregnant women shouldn’t use this herb since it may cause a miscarriage.

Cultivation of Skullcap

Skullcap herb is native to the American wetlands and presently grows in Europe, Asia, Canada and the United States.This herb is often found in partially shaded, wetland areas. It prefers light shade to full sun and wet to moist soil with abundance of organic matter for its optimum cultivation.

References

Popular Questions & Answers

View All

Hi Sir, The hairs over his skullcap are white. ...

related_content_doctor

Dr. Prakhar Singh

General Physician

Strand of hair can appear gray when it contains a decreased amount of a pigment called melanin, a...

One of the homeopathic Dr. prescribed skullcap ...

related_content_doctor

Dr. R K Aggarwal

Homeopathy Doctor

Dear Lybrate lybrate-user, you should stop taking if some unusual symptom have arise and inform t...

I am a physically disabled person. My late fath...

related_content_doctor

Dr. M Sri Vidhya Mahalingam (Srividhya Venkatesan

Psychologist

Hi! Try to live in a good environment with some support.... seek a safe and secure environment......

My blood sugar is 122 ,i don t take sugar, no w...

related_content_doctor

Dr. Chetan Raj

Homeopathy Doctor

Please use the following medicine for a period of two weeks and let me know about your condition ...

I am 37 years women I am diabetic type 2, with ...

related_content_doctor

Monga Medi Clinic

Ayurvedic Doctor

"dear Lybrate user thanks for sending across your query. Your ivf doctor is best doctor to advice...

    Delhi
    Mumbai
    Chennai
    Bangalore
    Index

    Table of content

    Content Details
    Profile Image
    Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
    Reviewed By
    Profile Image
    Reviewed ByDt. Ms. Shilpa MarwahB.Sc (Home Science), Post Graduation Diploma in Dietetics and Public Health NutritionDietitian/Nutritionist
    chat_icon

    Ask a free question

    Get FREE multiple opinions from Doctors

    posted anonymously