Skullcap

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Alternative Medicine Magazine's Definitive Guide to Sleep Disorders: 7 Smart Ways to Help You Get a Good Night's Rest Herbert Ross, DC with Keri Brenner, L.Ac. See book keywords and concepts

Skullcap Skullcap {Scutellaria lateriflora), also a member of the mint family, has traditionally been used as a nerve tonic and sedative. Skullcap's calming action comes mostly from the component scutellarin, which is antispasmodic.38 Willard recommends using this herb in combination with reishi, hops, and valerian, or alone in tincture form (15 to 40 drops two to three times daily). To make a tea, steep 1 to 3 teaspoons of the root in a cup of steaming hot water.

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy Dr. Michael Heinrich, Joanne Barnes, Simon Gibbons and Elizabeth M. Williamson See book keywords and concepts

Skullcap, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi The plant and the drug Scutellaria baicalensis (Huan qin, Lamiaceae) is sometimes known as baical skullcap to differentiate it from American skullcap (S. laterifolia L.). It grows in northern China, Siberia and Manchuria. The leaves are opposite, lanceolate and sessile with an acute apex. The flowers are blue, with a helmet-shaped upper lip (hence the name). The root is used medicinally. Constituents It contains flavonoids including baicalin, baicalein, wogonin, chrysin, oroxylin A, skullcapflavones I and II, and others (Fig. 24.4).

The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine: The Ultimate Multidisciplinary Reference to the Amazing Realm of Healing Plants, in a Quick-study, One-stop Guide Brigitte Mars, A.H.G. See book keywords and concepts

As a flower essence, skullcap promotes relaxation and can be helpful for those who are preoccupied. It also aids in withdrawal from drugs, especially opiates. Edible Uses None known Other Uses In folkloric tradition, women wear skullcap to keep their husbands from being charmed by other women.

1000 Cures for 200 Ailments: Integrated Alternative and Conventional Treatments for the Most Common Illnesses Marshall Editions See book keywords and concepts

Internal decoction: Add 15 g of Shi Gao (gypsum), 15 g of Shen Di Huang (Chinese foxglove root), 6 g of Shen Ma (bugbane rhizome), 10 g of Huang Qin (baical skullcap root), 10 g of Dan Pi (cortex of tree peony root), and 5 g of Huang Lian (coptis root) to 3-4 cups of water in a ceramic pot. Bring the mixture to the boil, simmer the herbs for 30 minutes, and then strain the liquid. Drink 1 cup two to three times a day. • Herbal tea: Combine 10 g of Bai Zhi (Chinese angelica root), and 10 g of Wu Zhu Yu (evodia fruit) in a ceramic pot. Add 3 cups of water and boil for 20 minutes.

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy Dr. Michael Heinrich, Joanne Barnes, Simon Gibbons and Elizabeth M. Williamson See book keywords and concepts

These activities all support the antiinflammatory and other uses of skullcap, although clinical trial evidence is sparse (see Chang et al 2001, Hsu et al 2001, Kim et al 2001, Krakauer et al 2001, Park et al 2001). The daily dose of skullcap root is usually 5-8 g. Toxicology Generally, baical skullcap is well tolerated, but little information as to side effects and contraindications is available. Tea, Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze The plant and the drug Tea (Camellia sinensis, Theaceae) is cultivated in China, India, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Indonesia and elsewhere.

PDR for Herbal Medicines, Fourth Edition Thomson Healthcare, Inc. See book keywords and concepts

MAJOR RISK Hepatotoxic Agents: Concurrent use of Valerian and hepatotoxic drugs or other herbs with the potential to cause hepatotoxicity (including but not limited to chaparral, Russian comfrey, coltsfoot, germander, jin bu huan, kava, pennyroyal, petasites and skullcap) may result in increased risk of hepatotoxicity. Clinical Management: Caution is advised if patients take Valerian with other drugs or herbs with potential for hepatotoxicity. Monitor for signs and symptoms of hepatotoxicity. moderate risk Alcohol: Concurrent use of Valerian and alcohol may result in increased sedation.

1000 Cures for 200 Ailments: Integrated Alternative and Conventional Treatments for the Most Common Illnesses Marshall Editions See book keywords and concepts

To treat wheezing during any season that is associated with a fever, thirst, and yellow mucus: Mix 3 g of Ma Huang (ephedra), 12 g of Xin Ren (almond kernel), 12 g of San Bai Pi (mulberry root bark), 12 g of Huang Qin (baical skullcap root), 10 g of Kwan Dong Hua (coltsfoot flower), 10 g of Zi Su Zi (perilla leaf), 12 g of Bai Guo (ginkgo nut), and 6 g of Gan Cao (licorice). CO >- CO >-cc o I— < cc CO 590 Acupuncture: An acupuncture session can effectively reduce wheezing for a couple of days. In the acute stage, you may have acupuncture up to once a day.

Herbal Medicine, Healing and Cancer: A Comprehensive Program for Prevention and Treatment Donald R. Yance, j r.,C.N., M.H., A.H.G., with Arlene Valentine See book keywords and concepts

Chinese skullcap {Scutellaria baicalensis) Chinese skullcap (huang qin) differs from American skullcap. It inhibits many viruses including tumor viruses and the HIV virus by inhibiting reverse transcriptase; it is anti-inflammatory and induces cell death in a number of cancer cell lines including two sarcomas and cervical cancer. It also inhibits human hepatoma cell growth by 50 percent. Chinese skullcap has a particularly high flavonoid content, over 35 percent.

Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Alternative Therapies and Integrative Medicine for Total Health and Wellness Tori Hudson, N.D. See book keywords and concepts

These include hops, skullcap, chamomile, lemon balm, oat straw, lavender, bitter orange, California poppy, and kava. Preparations can include powdered capsules, tinctures, and teas. Most of these herbs are mild sedatives and are unlikely to suffice alone, but are typically used in combinations. Sexual Function Ginseng. The most well-known herb to improve energy and stamina, as well as for sexual rejuvenation, is ginseng. American ginseng has traditionally been used for weakness, loss of muscle tone, low endurance, loss of work efficiency, and decreased sexual function.

The Doctor's Vitamin and Mineral Encyclopedia Sheldon Saul Hendler See book keywords and concepts

The major use of skullcap has been as a sedative for "nervousness." The Chinese use another variety of the plant, Scutellaria baikalensis, or Chinese skullcap, for "nervousness" and rheumatism, among other disorders. Bioflavonoids have been isolated from Chinese skullcap; these have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects. The benefits attributed to skullcap are purely anecdotal. On the other hand, the herb itself is relatively safe. However, large doses of a tincture of the herb have been reported to cause confusion, giddiness, stupor, twitching and other neurologic symptoms.

Alternative Medicine Magazine's Definitive Guide to Sleep Disorders: 7 Smart Ways to Help You Get a Good Night's Rest Herbert Ross, DC with Keri Brenner, L.Ac. See book keywords and concepts

Clinical herbalist Terry Wil-lard, founder of the Wild Rose College of Natural Healing, recommends the following seven herbs for people with insomnia: valerian, hops, passionflower, kava, lemon balm, reishi mushrooms, and skullcap.25 Chamomile or St. John's wort may also be helpful. Most of these herbs are available at health food stores or through your health-care practitioner. Although herbs are natural substances, they do contain powerful compounds (one reason they can help you sleep!). Some of the herbs discussed below can cause drowsiness or interfere with medications.

Spiritual Nutrition: Six Foundations for Spiritual Life and the Awakening of Kundalini Gabriel Cousens, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Transcendence After the Merging of Kundalini into the One Ever since this one's forty-day fast, there is a feeling that this one is wearing a pulsating skullcap all the time, that the top of his crown chakra has been cut off like the bottom of the skullcap, and the Divine energy is intensely pouring in through it. Muktananda referred to this continual pranic pulsation of the crown chakra when he occasionally mentioned in public lectures that he breathed through the sushumna.

Herbal Medicine, Healing and Cancer: A Comprehensive Program for Prevention and Treatment Donald R. Yance, j r.,C.N., M.H., A.H.G., with Arlene Valentine See book keywords and concepts

Chinese skullcap {Scutellaria baicalensis) Chinese skullcap (huang qin) differs from American skullcap. It inhibits many viruses including tumor viruses and the HIV virus by inhibiting reverse transcriptase; it is anti-inflammatory and induces cell death in a number of cancer cell lines including two sarcomas and cervical cancer. It also inhibits human hepatoma cell growth by 50 percent. Chinese skullcap has a particularly high flavonoid content, over 35 percent.

1000 Cures for 200 Ailments: Integrated Alternative and Conventional Treatments for the Most Common Illnesses Marshall Editions See book keywords and concepts

To treat coughs with thick yellow or green mucus: Mix 10 g of Huang Qin (baical skullcap root), 12 g of Xin Ren (apricot kernel), 6 g of Bo He (field mint), 15 g of Jie Jeng (balloon flower root), 6 g of Chen Pi (tangerine peel), 12 g of Lian Qiao (forsythia fruit), and 6 g of Gan Cao (licorice).

Combine 12 g of Niu Bang Zi (great burdock fruit), 12 g of Cang Er Zi (cocklebur fruit), 12 g of Fang Fen (ledebouriella root), 10 g of Chuan Xiong (Szechuan lovage root), 10 g of Jing Jie (schizonepeta stem and bud), 10 g of Huang Qin (baical skullcap root), and 5 g of Gan Cao (licorice) in a ceramic pot. Add 3 cups of water, bring to a boil, and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid and drink 1 cup twice a day. Acupuncture: Treatment, if performed by an experience practitioner, is very effective for sinus congestion.

Combine 6 g of Huang Qin (baical þ" skullcap root), 8 g of Lian Qiao (forsythia fruit), 6 g of Jin Yin Hua (honeysuckle flower), 8 g of Zhi Zi (Cape Jasmine fruit), 6 g of Gan Cao ¦ (licorice), 8 g of Xin Ren (apricot kernel), 3 g of Ma Huang (ephedra stem), and 5 g of Bo He (field mint) in a glass or ceramic pot. Add 3 cups of water, bring to a boil, and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid and drink 1 cup twice a day. Acupuncture: Treatment can be useful if the child is cooperative.

To treat pneumonia patients with excess phlegm: In addition to the herbs used in the first formula, mix 12 g of Gua Lou Ren (trichosanthes seed) and 12 g of Huang Qin (baical skullcap root). Acupuncture: Treatment can be used alongside antibiotics, and with or without herbal medicine. Consult an experienced acupuncturist regarding the frequency of sessions. i— < _i ZD CD az CD CD Acupressure: Use the tip of your thumb to press the Hegu point, located on the back of the hand in the depression between the thumb and the first finger, with strong pressure for one to two minutes.

The Food-Mood Connection: Nutrition-based and Environmental Approaches to Mental Health and Physical Wellbeing Gary Null and Amy McDonald See book keywords and concepts

Other possibilities include pheanine (at 300 milligrams, one of the best relaxants in nature), chamomile tea, hops, skullcap, and valerian root, a natural calmative used by orthomolecular psychiatrists for people who tend to be anxious. Herbalist Letha Hadady says that people who can't think clearly during the day and wake up at night sweating, with their hearts beating too fast, should consider remedies that balance the adrenal glands in the heart.

The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine: The Ultimate Multidisciplinary Reference to the Amazing Realm of Healing Plants, in a Quick-study, One-stop Guide Brigitte Mars, A.H.G. See book keywords and concepts

It was included in the United States Formulary from 1863 until 1916. skullcap calms and strengthens the nerves, relaxes spasms, relieves pain, and promotes rest. It can help rebuild nerve sheaths. One of its constituents, scutellarin, is transformed in the body into scutellarein, which helps stimulate the brain to produce more endorphins.

Etymology The genus name Scutellaria and common name skullcap derive from the Latin scutella, "little dish," in reference to the plant's inverted calyx cup, which looks like a helmet with its visor raised, and also somewhat like a skull. The common name mad dog weed resulted from the plant's use by a Dr. Vander-veer in the 1700s to treat people who had been bitten by rabid dogs.

Edible Uses None known Other Uses In folkloric tradition, women wear skullcap to keep their husbands from being charmed by other women. Constituents B vitamins, pangamic acid, calcium, potassium, silicon, flavonoids (scutellarin), lignan, tannin, essential oil, scutellonin, bitter (scutellaine), palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, phenols, tannin Energetic Correspondences • Flavor: bitter • Temperature: cold • Moisture: dry • Polarity: yin • Planet: Saturn/Mercury/Neptune/Pluto • Element: water Contraindications Avoid during pregnancy.

Spiritual Nutrition: Six Foundations for Spiritual Life and the Awakening of Kundalini Gabriel Cousens, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Transcendence After the Merging of Kundalini into the One Ever since this one's forty-day fast, there is a feeling that this one is wearing a pulsating skullcap all the time, that the top of his crown chakra has been cut off like the bottom of the skullcap, and the Divine energy is intensely pouring in through it. Muktananda referred to this continual pranic pulsation of the crown chakra when he occasionally mentioned in public lectures that he breathed through the sushumna.

Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief David Winston, RH(AHG), and Steven Maimes See book keywords and concepts

Nervines that have anxiolytic activity include: blue vervain, chamomile, fresh milky oat, hawthorn, linden, motherwort, passionflower, and skullcap. Nervines that have antidepressant effects include Lemon balm, St. John's wort, mimosa, lavender, and rosemary. Adaptogen Notes • Asian Ginseng regulates the central nervous system and mildly stimulates it. • Jiaogulan is a calming adaptogen, so it is appropriate for anxious or agitated people who have labile (erratic) hypertension, stress headaches, and anxiety-induced insomnia.

An additional benefit for tinctures is that herbs that lose potency when dried (echinacea, eyebright, skullcap) can be made into fresh tinctures (1:2 weight/volume), which preserves their activity very effectively. The biggest limitation for tinctures is that they contain alcohol, and people with alcohol-abuse issues or serious liver disease as well as pregnant women should avoid using them. Fluid extracts are more concentrated alcohol and water extracts (1:1 weight/volume), and they offer many of the same benefits as tinctures with greater potency and a smaller dosage.

Safety Issues: Only buy skullcap from reputable companies that fully identify the raw material, either by careful visual and microscopic examination or by laboratory testing. Herb/Drug Interactions: None known. ST. JOHN'S WORT Botanical Name: Hypericum perforatum Part Used: Flowering top St. John's wort has become known as the "depression herb." This is unfortunate, because although it is useful for some types of depression, it has a much broader range of uses. Stating that St.

For the most part, dried skullcap is inert, necessitating its use as a fresh tincture or freeze-dried product. Some herbalists use a separate species, S. galerialata, which they claim retains its activity even when dried. Dosage and Safety Tincture, Made from Fresh Herb, (1:2): 60-80 drops, up to four times per day. Freeze-Dried Herb in Capsules: Two capsules, three times per day. Standardized Extract: Two capsules, twice per day. Safety Rating: ? ? ?

Prescription for Natural Cures: A Self-Care Guide for Treating Health Problems with Natural Remedies Including Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Supplements, Bodywork, and More James F. Balch, M.D. and Mark Stengler, N.D. See book keywords and concepts

It's important to avoid stress, so keep a stash of calming herbal teas on hand, skullcap, hops {Humulus lupulus), and passionflower are all good choices. Homeopathy Pick the remedy that best matches your symptoms in this section. Take a 6x, 12x, 6C, 12C, or 30C potency twice daily for two weeks to see if there are any positive results. After you notice improvement, stop taking the remedy, unless symptoms return. Consultation with a homeopathic practitioner is advised. Agaricus is helpful when there are symptoms of twitching, muscle spasms, poor coordination, and uncontrolled eye movement.

Try passionflower (Passiflora incar-nata), skullcap, or valerian. Consult with a holistic doctor for intravenous glutathione treatment. Glutathione is one of the body's most potent antioxidants, and some doctors report benefit for people with Parkinson's disease from this nontoxic therapy. Homeopathy Pick the remedy that best matches your symptoms in this section. Take a 6x, 12x, 6C, or 12C potency twice daily for two weeks to see if there are any positive results. After you notice improvement, stop taking the remedy, unless symptoms return.

Spiritual Nutrition: Six Foundations for Spiritual Life and the Awakening of Kundalini Gabriel Cousens, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

It is in a circle in the shape of a kippah (Jewish skullcap) covering the crown to the forehead and back of the head. The energy felt in the other chakras seems almost nonexistent compared to this channel. Sahaja samadhi is when, both awake and asleep, one is aware of being in the awareness of 1 AM THAT. As this has unfolded, it has begun to pervade more heavily even in the sleep state, in the sense that all is filled with Light. Even though the mind-body complex seems to be asleep at night, the witness is experiencing pure Light.

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements Phyllis A. Balch, CNC See book keywords and concepts

According to one report, people with asthma who eat high-sodium diets (4,000 milligrams daily) have more difficulty breathing while exercising and immediately afterward than those who habitually consume far less Q Asthma-X5 from Olympian Labs is an herbal combination formula containing coleus forskohlii, feverfew, ginger, green tea, licorice root, lobelia, Mormon tea, schisandra berries, and skullcap. The recommended dosage is 500 to 1,000 milligrams, three times daily. For best results, use for about eight weeks.

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