Herbal Remedies ~ Skullcap

This perennial herb grows in wet places throughout North America and southeast Asia. The fibrous, yellow rootstock produces a branching stem from 1-3 feet high, with opposite, ovate, serrate leaves that come to a point. Skullcap's two-lipped flowers are pale purple or blue.

Skullcap is rich in minerals needed to support a healthy nervous system, and is a good ally during stressful times.

It is a wonderful remedy for nervous tension, headaches, agitation, anxiety, insomnia, hysteria, neurasthenia, exhaustion and depression.

Skullcap is often used to aid withdrawal from prescription tranquilizers and antidepressants.

Its antispasmodic action is useful for twitching or ' jerking muscles, trembling, epilepsy - both petit and grand mal - as well as heart palpitations.

Combined with hormone balancing herbs such as chaste tree or false unicorn root, it is useful for symptoms of PMS.

Skullcap acts as an anti-inflammatory herb, and can be used for arthritis, particularly where it is aggravated by stress.

Due to the presence of bitters, skullcap is said to enhance digestion and stimulate liver function.

Other traditional uses of this herb include to treat bites of poisonous insects and snakes, and for rabies, as well as to quieten sexual over-excitement.

The Cherokee used skullcap to stimulate menstruation, relieve breast pain, and encourage expulsion of the placenta.

Today, skullcap is taken mainly as a nerve tonic and for its restorative properties.

The aerial parts are used in tinctures and infusions.

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