Chinese Skullcap

Chinese Skullcap

Chinese skullcap has several species. The most commonly used species are Scutellara baicalenis and Scutellaria lateriflora. These are grown in Southeast Asia and North America. As evident by its name, Chinese skullcap is a Chinese herb commonly used as a traditional Chinese medicine. This herb can be called with several other names including Baikal skullcap and huang qin. The healing benefits offered by this traditional herb have been used as a Chinese Medicine for over 2000 years.

This herb acts as an antihistamine, antioxidant, inflammatory modular and antibacterial. Its medicinal qualities also include the quality of drying dampness and clearing heat. Skullcap contains flavonoids, volatile oils and tannins.

During the 19th century, herbal practitioners used this herb to treat medical conditions related to the nervous system. The disorder included epilepsy, schizophrenia and rabies. After the Chinese, the Cherokee also found this herb useful.

Today, skullcap is back with its popularity in being said to stimulating and treating the nervous system. It may also benefit in treating the emotional and physical effects of menstrual cramps, muscle tension and anxiety.

Skullcap herb is also beneficial for the sufferers of asthma and other allergies. The specie of Chinese Skullcap – Scutellaria baicalensis – is a basic part of Chinese medicine to help with inflammatory conditions such as redness of the face and eyes, gout, digestive problems including diarrhea and abdominal pain, and acute issues like infections, cold and flu.

In spite of how important skullcap remedies were in ancient times, a few clinical trials have explored the health effects of skullcap to date. According to some preliminary research, it is suggested that skullcap can be a useful herb in treating many health conditions. The following are some health conditions that can be greatly benefited by skullcap herb.

• Memory impairment
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Prostate cancer

There is something very special about this herb, and that is probably why it’s usage and popularity is still alive. The health benefits simply can’t be ignored.