Skullcap
Scientific names: Scutellaria lateriflora
Family: Lamiaceae/Labiatae
Alternate names: American Skullcap, Blue Pimpernel, Blue Skullcap, Escutelaria, Grande Toque, Helmet Flower, Hoodwort, Mad-Dog Herb, Mad-Dog Skullcap, Mad-Dog Weed, Mad Weed, Quaker Bonnet, Scullcap, Scutellaria, Scutellaire, Scutellaire de Virginie, Scutellaire Latériflore, Scutelluria, Toque Bleue, Toque Casquée, Toque des Marais
Actions: 5-HT(&amp;lt;noref&amp;gt; [reference-numbers] =&amp;gt; Array ( ) ) [2] =&amp;gt; Array ( [statement] =&amp;gt; 7&amp;lt;/noref&amp;gt; [reference-numbers] =&amp;gt; Array ( ) ) [3] =&amp;gt; Array ( [statement] =&amp;gt; ) receptor, Anxiolytic
Background
Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora ) is a plant native to the US and Europe. Chemicals in skullcap might cause sleepiness.
People use skullcap for anxiety, insomnia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse skullcap with Baikal Skullcap. They aren't the same plant.
People use skullcap for anxiety, insomnia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse skullcap with Baikal Skullcap. They aren't the same plant.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if skullcap is safe. It might cause side effects such as decline in memory or thinking skills, stomach pain, and sleepiness.
Surgery: Skullcap might slow down the central nervous system. Anesthesia and other medications used during surgery also have this effect. Stop taking skullcap at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if skullcap is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Surgery: Skullcap might slow down the central nervous system. Anesthesia and other medications used during surgery also have this effect. Stop taking skullcap at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using skullcap for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of skullcap might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Sedative medications (CNS depressants)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Skullcap might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking skullcap with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements with sedative properties: Skullcap might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking it along with other supplements with similar effects might cause too much sleepiness and/or slowed breathing in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include hops, kava, L-tryptophan, melatonin, and valerian.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Products
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This monograph was last reviewed on 04/07/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 23/06/2018 01:07:36. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
