Skullcap, Scutellaria lateriflora

tannins help reduce the production of mucus and its anti-microbial action helps kill bacterial infections. Use sheep sorrel as soon as the illness begins to reduce the severity of the disease. Warning: Because of its high oxalate content, people with kidney stones, arthritis, or hyperacidity should not use sheep sorrel. Sheep Sorrel Tea: You’ll need 1 teaspoon dried sheep sorrel leaves and 1 cup water. Bring the water to a boil and pour over the dried sheep sorrel leaves. Cover and let the tea steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Drink warm.

Skullcap is also called blue skullcap, side-flowering skullcap, Quaker bonnet, hoodwort, mad dog skullcap, helmet flower, and blue pimpernel. It is a calming herb, useful for anxiety and nervous disorders of all kinds. It is in the Lamiaceae (Mint) Family. It likes moist areas throughout much of North America, where it is native, and is cultivated in much of Europe. North American skullcaps can be used interchangeably for medicine. Note that they are used differently than Chinese Skullcap (S. baicalensis), another useful herb. Identification: The plant has smooth, square erect stems that reach 1 to 4 feet (0.3m to 1.2m) tall. The stems are leafy and branched, with oblong, opposite toothed leaves. Each leaf is 1 to 3 inches (2.5 cm to 7.5 cm) long, with smaller leaves at the top of the stems. The 2-lobed helmeted flowers are blue-violet to whitish. Each flower is about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and grows in short spike-like racemes or singularly in the axils of the upper leaves. The flowers are tubular and the upper hooded lip gives it its name of “skullcap”. Each flower produces 4 nut-like fruits. It blooms from July through September. Medicinal Use: Skullcap is usually used as a hot tea or tincture, but some people prefer to use powdered skullcap in capsule form. Tinctures should be made with fresh herbs for optimal potency. Skullcap seems to act upon benzodiazepine GABA receptors in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter that helps prevent overstimulation of the nervous system. If it gets too low you can have seizures, epilepsy, anxiety, depression, insomnia and more. American skullcap interacts with these GABA receptors, binding to the benzodiazepine site, as does Valerian and California Poppy, both in this book. The leaves, stems, and flowers are used medicinally, though many people only use the leaves. The plant is rich in vitamins, minerals, and tannins. The plant is relaxing and acts as a natural tranquilizer and sleep aid. It is similar to valerian root in properties and activity.

Anxiety, Tension, Depression, and Insom-

nia: Skullcap relaxes the nervous system, reduces stress, and relieves anxiety. It reduces body tension and allows the body to relax into sleep. It calms people who are overly nervous, hysterical, or unable to relax. Its antioxidant properties help with oxidative stress, which is associated with depression and anxiety disorders, and it binds to benzodiazepine GABA receptors in the brain. Antioxidant and Neuroprotective: Skullcap is an excellent antioxidant and functions as a neuroprotective for diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Millspaugh, C.F(1854-1923) Commons Wikipedia

Muscle Spasms and Tension, Muscle, Seizures, Twitches, Calms the Nervous Sys-

tem: Skullcap is an antispasmodic. It eases muscle twitches, spasms, and seizures by relaxing the muscles, relieving involuntary muscle movements, and calming the nervous system.

Tension Headaches and Perhaps Mi-

graines: People taking skullcap report that it helps relieve tension headaches. It may also help migraines.