An herb entry from the Ancient Herbs and Modern Herbs book by James K. Sayre, Copyright, 2001. All rights reserved.

Skullcap, Baikal - Scutellaria baikalensis (Scutellaria baicalensis) (Scuterllaria macrantha) - family: Labiatae (Lamiaceae) (Mint Family).

This is a perennial plant that grows to about four feet high. It has compound leaves with small lance-to-oval-shaped leaflets. It produces low spikes of purple-blue flowers. Its roots (Huang Qin) have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a remedy for allergies, anxiety, eczema, convulsions, diarrhea, dysentery, fevers, indigestion, insomnia, liver problems and psoriasis. Also, traditionally used externally for boils, herpes, sores and swellings. Modern Japanese (Kampo) use of roots in the medical treatment of some cancers. Roots are currently used internally in North America as a remedy for allergies, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bedwetting, chronic fatigue syndrome, colds, diabetes, ear infections, hay fever, flu, Meniere's syndrome and stress. Note: do not use if suffering from diarrhea. Note: do not use during pregnancy or while nursing. Note: should not be taken by individuals with heart conditions. Native to eastern Asia. Cultivated as an ornamental in North America.

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Web page last updated on 22 May 2003.