Skullcap is a familiar name to herbalists. There are about 300 species within the genus Scutellaria (mint family), with origins all over the world, and folk medicine traditions will often include some regional species of Scutellaria. We’ll take a look at two species of note, one for its antiviral specificity, and the other for its calming support to the nerves. Both are hardy and prolific additions to a garden.

In Traditional East Asian medicine, the most popular Scutellaria is huang qin: the root of S. baicalensis, also called Baical or Chinese Skullcap. Huang Qin has a great range of indications including use as a broad-spectrum antiviral and a synergist in formulas (i.e. it boosts the efficacy of other herbs in a formula when combined). It is also commonly used to address congestion in the Liver system and is included in formulas to address “restless fetus”, or threatened miscarriage. In the U.S., we often think of another Scutellaria, “Mad Dog” Skullcap, Scutellaria lateriflora, where the leaf is used as a nerve calming agent.

Stephen Harrod Buhner is an American herbalist who has made extensive study of herbal antibacterials, herbal antivirals, and treatment of Lyme disease. In his 2013 book Herbal Antivirals, he puts huang qin at the very top of the list of go-to broad-spectrum antiviral herbs. In March of this year, Buhner put out a document specifically suggesting a framework for herbal approach to COVID-19. In it, huang qin featured prominently in herbal combinations for blocking viral attachment to mucous membranes, modulating certain cytokine responses, and protecting the spleen and lymph, as well as being specifically antiviral for the SARS-group of viruses.

The name “Mad Dog” for the common North American species came about when this Skullcap was used in the treatment of the rabies virus in New York in the mid 1800s. There is little credence given to this as a rabies remedy now, but this Skullcap’s sedative actions point to how it may have been supportive in those cases. Among Matthew Wood’s list of indications are oversensitivity, nervous fear, restlessness/wakefulness, and twitchy muscles.

Buhner also comments on the disparate uses of Scutellaria species, saying that there does not seem to be a reason that the root of S. baicalensis is widely used, but not the root of other species, other than that it has not been tried. He mentions that there have been a large number of clinical trials just on the root of S. baicalensis, but not many on other species, though the main chemical consitutents such as baicalin, baicalein, scutellarin, wogonin, melatonin, and serotonin have been found to be present in the roots of other Scutellarias.

Another Maine-based Scutellaria, S. galericulata

Both of these Skullcaps cultivate well here in southern Maine. While it takes several years for huang qin root to be mature enough to harvest for medicine, the flowers are a nice purple show to enjoy in the mean time, and the plant is hardy against cold. S. lateriflora, as a gardener might expect of a mint family plant, spreads quickly with runners, and has smaller, lighter purple flowers. The aerial parts of both plants can be dried or used fresh in teas and other preparations.

Sources:

Buhner, Stephen Harrod. Herbal Antivirals. Storey, 2013. pp. 125-143.

Buhner, Stephen Harrod. “Herbal Treatment for Coronavirus Infections.” Document accessed via email on 3/17/2020.

Foster, Steven and Yue Chongxi. Herbal Emissaries: Bringing Chinese Herbs to the West. Healing Arts Press, 1992. pp. 33-39.

Wood, Matthew. The Earthwise Herbal, Volume II: A Complete Guide to New World Medicinal Plants. North Atlantic Books, 2009. pp. 323-326.