Skullcap medicinal herb is a good remedy to combat fevers

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) medicinal herb is an herbaceous perennial herb. The entire plant can be used. The medicinal properties are nervine, sedative as well as antispasmodic. It is native to North America and is a member of the mint family also from the Labiatae family.  The main parts used as herbal medicines are the parts above the ground.

There are different species of this plant. However, the one that is used for medicinal benefits and uses is that one that possesses a compound called, Scutellarin. Other compounds that are found in it are Chrysin as well as Baicalin.

Some of the common names are Hoodwort, Helmet flower, Blue pimpernel, Quaker bonnet, Mad-dog weed, American skullcap, Scutellaria lateriflora, Blue scullcap, Scullcap as well as Madweed. 

However, No matter what other names this medicinal herb is called or referred to, make sure that you are purchasing Scutellaria lateriflora as this is the one that has been scientifically researched and approved for medicinal purposes.

Have you ever wondered how some plants got their names? I have tried a few and some results are very amazing but connected.

This plant got its name from the fact that a group of the outer sepals look like a cap and indeed they do look like skull caps. You just take a look and you will find out that, it is a fact.

It became a popular treatment in the seventeenth centuries for rabies, which resulted in one of its common names, Mad-dog weed.

This alternative medicine is available in stores in forms of dried herb, tea, fluid extract, and also tincture.

It is impossible for some people to grow their own herbs, so this why the herbal shops became so important for you to easily access your own for all your medicinal benefits.

Health benefits of skullcap herb

Constituents of this plant are flavones and flavonoids inclusive of flavanoid glycoside scutellarian, tannins, resins, baicalin, lignans, wogonin, essential oils as well as iridoids.

The benefits and herbal remedies of this herb is that it relaxes nervous tension. Therefore, if you are nervous, stress, tired and depress, then this powerful medicinal herb is the ideal natural plant to be utilized.

It induces a peaceful attitude and will alleviate insomnia, headaches, spasms, neuralgia, anxiety, pains, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high cholesterol, rabies, allergies, epilepsy, nervous tension and other nervous system disorders.

It may be combined with valerian root to give that sedative and peaceful feeling. It is best to take it just before retiring to bed so that it can give you a good night's sleep and that it will do for sure.

Due to its natural anti-inflammatory properties it is effective in treating various inflammatory diseases such as joint aches and arthritis. It can also be used to treat skin infections.

It helps to lower high blood pressure or hypertension by dilating blood vessels and in addition lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke. It may also prevent paralysis that is associated with stroke.

Skullcap tea

To make scullcap tea steep one teaspoonful of the dried herb in a teacup of boiling water for 30 minutes.  One of the benefits involves using skullcap tea to treat attention deficit disorder as well as schizophrenia.

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Updated March 24, 2020