Scullcap is an Effective Calming Herb

Sunday, December 28, 2008 by: Jo Hartley
Tags: scullcap, health news, Natural News

(NewsTarget) Scullcap is a traditional herb that can be taken internally to treat nervousness, irritability, insomnia, and neuralgia. Scullcap has a sedating effect and is also able to calm spasms, reduce fever, stimulate the kidneys, and also has cleansing effects. Scullcap is very effective for treating anxiety and tension headaches as well and the Chinese consider it a powerful remedy that is used to calm the mind and also to prepare for meditation.

Scullcap can also be an excellent natural alternative treatment for the chemical effects of Methadone treatment. People with drug or alcohol dependencies may benefit from taking scullcap during the withdrawal period. Caution should be taken when using scullcap, however, because it has been known to cause confusion and giddiness when too much is taken. Other symptoms of overdose include stupor and twitching of limbs.

Scullcap grows natively in North America and is an abundant perennial herb that grows in damp areas, ditches, meadows, and near small bodies of water along most of the east coast and in parts of Texas. Scullcap is easily recognized by its pairs of red and blue flowers. It is also called Mad Dog Scullcap because years ago it was thought to cure rabies.

Scullcap is easy to grow in a sunny location in any ordinary garden soil. To harvest for use, gather the above ground parts in the summer as the flowers bloom, dry it and then store it. Scullcap is not long-lived, so replanting every few years is recommended.

Scullcap is a traditional Chinese herb that is used medicinally to treat many different health conditions. This includes hepatitis, cancer, epilepsy, and assorted infections. Scullcap contains flavonoids that make it so effective, yet researchers have not been able to determine exactly why or how skullcap is so beneficial.

Scullcap can be used as a powerful alternative treatment in these ways:

•Scullcap has antibacterial properties that powerfully stop the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus peumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeroginosa. In situations of antibiotic resistance, Scullcap can be an effective treatment.
•Scullcap has beneficial gastrointestinal effects and can slow down intestinal movement.
•Scullcap is a natural fever reducer.
•Scullcap beneficially enhances the central and sympathetic nervous systems.
•Scullcap has sedating effects.
•Scullcap can lower blood pressure and thus potentially lower one's risk of cardiovascular events and strokes.
•Scullcap acts as an antihistamine.
•Scullcap increases the flow of bile and can lower cholesterol.
•Scullcap can be used to promote menstruation.
•Scullcap is effective at inducing sleep when necessary without unpleasant side effects.
•Scullcap is useful for relief of digestive upsets as well as urinary tract infections.
•Scullcap is useful for regulating sexual desires, and can relieve feminine cramps and menstrual discomforts.

Source: http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-d...

Source: http://www.chinese-herbs.org/scullcap/

About the author

Jo Hartley
Wife, Mother of 8, and Grandmother of 2
Jo is a 41 year old home educator who has always gravitated toward a natural approach to life. She enjoys learning as much as possible about just about anything!
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