MAGICAL, BLUE SKULLCAP, BEST SEDATIVE

MAGICAL, BLUE SKULLCAP, BEST SEDATIVE

Nv-wo-ti  Ga-go-ti means Medicine Herb in Phonetic Cherokee Language

Blue Skullcap is a Native American herb and a member of the mint family. It is best known for its sedative and antispasmodic properties. The Cherokee and other indigenous tribes made use of the herb for the purpose of female comforts. It was often used to promote menstruation and to relieve menstrual cramps. Young girls were often given an infusion of Blue skullcap to help ease the child into her first season and into “womanhood.”

Today we are using Blue skullcap for the treatment of muscle spasms, jangled nerves, tension headaches, anxiety, insomnia and seizure disorders. A diagnosis of ADHD does not mean you are doomed to treat your child with harsh pharmaceutical drugs. Now studies show that Blue skullcap is a natural treatment for ADHD, it increases the ability to focus and reduces hyperactivity. Commercially, you will find dried Blue Skullcap in teas, capsules, tablets and as a tincture.

 

Overdose Symptoms

Blue skullcap, although not listed as a dangerous herb or an herb to avoid, should be treated with much respect.  An overdose of skullcap tincture is said to produce giddiness, stupor, mental confusion, twitching, irregular heartbeat and epileptic-like symptoms.  Skullcap can cause miscarriage, a spontaneous abortion of a fetus and should not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Referenced Books

In the book “Herbal Cures for Common Ailments,” by Jim O’Brien, skullcap is listed along with Balm, Catnip, Chamomile, Evening Primrose Oil, Lavender, Motherwort, Passionflower, St. John’s Wort and Valerian as treatments for anxiety, stress and insomnia. The most potent of these anti-anxiety herbs are used for insomnia; these are Passionflower, Skullcap and Valerian.

 O’Brien also lists Peppermint as a curative for insomnia, saying the menthol in peppermint relieves muscular tension that can cause insomnia. Peppermint is a digestive aid and decongestant. Relieving a case of indigestion or being able to breathe helps considerably when trying to get a ‘good nights sleep!’

In the book “Nature’s Medicine”, by Gale Maleskey, Priscilla Evans, N.D., a naturopathic doctor at the Community Wholistic Health Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, states, “When your head is in the viselike grip of a tension headache, take small doses of an herbal supplement that includes a mixture of valerian, passionflower and skullcap. This trio of herbs can help relax muscles in your shoulders, neck and scalp. Valerian is great for relaxing the nervous system, relieving tension and providing general pain relief. Passionflower and skullcap help to calm stress.”

In the book, “The Green Pharmacy” by James A. Duke, Ph.D. skullcap is referenced as a sedative/tranquilizer that might help relieve the nervous tension and irritability of PMS.

Be Careful

Passionflower, Skullcap and Valerian may cause drowsiness and often come with the warning, DO NOT DRIVE OR OPERATE MACHINERY while taking this product. Herbs are serious medicine and should not be used without caution. They can be just as dangerous as prescription drugs.

A Bit of Trivia

In the late 18^th century, professional/scientific/allopathic practitioners were eager to discover remedies for mysterious ailments, such as hydrophobia. In 1733, one of these medical doctors began treating his hydrophobia patients with Blue skullcap. The doctor submitted a report touting his success in treating rabies to his peers; however, the good doctor and his report were soon in discredit. Never the less, skullcap was used for this purpose long enough to receive the well-known monikers, Mad-Dog Skullcap, Madweed and Mad Dog Weed.

In Oklahoma

There are 11 counties in the State of Oklahoma where you can go to gather wild Blue skullcap, Ellis, Garfield, Osage and Ottawa in northern Oklahoma. In central Oklahoma, the counties are Oklahoma, Cleveland, Creek, Muskogee and Wagoner and the southern counties are Brian and McCurtain. Lucky folks who have wooded, wetland areas on their property can harvest wild growing Blue skullcap in the early summer.

From the Net

The Blue Skullcap is described as an erect, widely branched perennial that grows to 30 inches in height. The stem is slender and four-sided. The leaves are thin, one to four inches long, ovate, pointed, coarsely serrated and opposite. The flower shaped, as little helmets are blue, two-lipped and arranged along spikes in each of the upper leaf axils.

There are 45 skullcap species. Only one species has the one variety that is the topic of this story: Scutellaria lateriflora L. var. lateriflora – blue skullcap.

From referenced site:

“Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) is a related species to Blue Skullcap. The species Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is native to eastern Asia. The root of this species is used in traditional Chinese medicine. Its Chinese name is huang qin. Chinese skullcap is sometimes called Baikal, baical skullcap root, scute and scutellarea. Another species used in Chinese medicine is Scutellaria barbata, whose Chinese name is ban zhi lian.

Both American Blue Skullcap and Chinese Skullcap are used as remedies for anxiety, nervous tension, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), insomnia, stress headaches, muscle spasms and seizures. Chinese skullcap is also an ingredient in herbal compounds used for disorders involving high cholesterol and triglycerides levels, high blood pressure, allergic diseases and inflammatory skin conditions.

Skullcap can be used in the treatment of withdrawal from alcohol and tobacco. Skullcap is included among the herbal ingredients in a tincture that people take to quit smoking. Other herbs in this tincture include mullein, St. John’s Wort and licorice.”

Reference: Swain, Liz; Frey, Rebecca. "Skullcap." Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 19 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

Shebolith Says…

Remember, use common sense and moderation with all applications of alternative health care and herbal remedies. As usual, we must say… “This story is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a professional for advice about diagnosis of illness and remedies available.”