Plant Family: Labiatae

Common Names: Blue Pimpernel, Blue Skullcap, Helmet Flower, Hoodwort, Mad-dog Weed, Mad Weed, Quaker Bonnet, Side-flowering Skullcap, Virginian Skullcap

Origin: Skullcap is a North American plant which grows in wet places in Canada and the northern and eastern United Stated

History: The name is from the Latin scutella, which means 'a little dish'.

The native American Indian used Skullcap for:

• promoting menstruation
• rabies

Tradition: Skullcap was used in spells for:

• peace
• relaxation
• tranquility

Plant Constituents

Contains:

• bitter glucoside
• cellulose
• fat
• Scutellarin, a volatile oil
• some bitter principle
• sugar
• tannin

Usage

Medicinal Parts Used: The whole herb

Skullcap is used for:

Brain and Nervous Conditions

• convulsions
• delerium tremens (in alcoholics)
• food for the nerves
• excitability
• hydrophobia
• hysteria
• insomnia and restlessness
• lessens the affects of epilepsy (in small doses)
• nervous headaches
• neuralgia
• rickets
• spasms
• supports and strengthens as well as giving immediate relief from all chronic and acute diseases that affect the nerves
• St. Vitus Dance (soothes the nervous excitement and induces sleep when necessary)

Female Conditions

• feminine cramps
• menstrual troubles

Respiratory Conditions

• headache arising from incessant coughing and pain

Inflammatory Conditions

• rheumatism

Reproductive Conditions

• regulates sexual desires

Other

• reduces fevers

Action:

• antispasmodic [an agent which relieves or eases muscular spasms, cramps or convulsions]
• astringent [a binding agent that contracts organic tissue, reducing secretions or discharges of mucous and fluid from the body]
• diuretic [an agent that increases the volume and flow of urine which cleanses the urinary system]
• nervine [an agent that has a calming or soothing effect on the nerves, any agent that acts on the nervous system to restore the nerves to their natural state]
• sedative [a soothing agent that reduces nervousness, distress or irritation]
• tonic [an agent that tones, strengthens and invigorates organs or the entire organism giving a feeling of well-being]

Precautions

Caution: Overdose can cause

• giddiness
• mental confusion
• intermission of the pulse
• stupor
• symptoms of epilepsy
• twitching of the limbs