Categories
Herbs & Plants

Baikal Skullcap

Botanical Name :Scutellaria baicalensis
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Scutellaria
Species: S. baicalensis
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Lamiales

Common Name :Baikal Skullcap, Baical, Huang Qin, Skullcap Root

 

Habitat :Native to Lake Baikal, Mongolia, Siberia, and parts of China & Korea

Description:Baikal Skullcap is a perennial flowering plant. It is an herbaceous ground cover, quite low growing despite the picture of the flower. The stems spread along the ground and then turn upwards at the tip so the base can spread 24″ but the height is only about a foot.

.click to see the pictures

Germination: Grow from seeds indoors starting in early spring and transplant outdoors in summer.

Plant: full sun to shade. Baikal skullcap is drought tolerant once established.

Flowers: August. Collect seeds in September.

Harvest: the roots of 3-4 year old plants in spring or autumn.

Zone: hardy to zone 5, survives temperatures as low as -23°C or -9°F

Soil: well-drained soil that does not dry out

Constituents:Flavone glycosides ,Baicalein ,Baicalin ,Wogonin ,flavones

 

Medicinal Actions & Uses:
Action:

*anti-allergic [helps with allergies]
*anti-bacterial [an agent that destroys bacteria; bactericide]
*anti-coagulant [an agent that prevents the formation of clots in a liquid, as in blood]
*anti-inflammatory [an agent to ease inflammation]
*anti-microbial [an agent that destroys microbes]
*antioxidant [contributing to the oxidation of free radicals which are believed to contribute to premature aging and dementia]
*bitter and cold [applied to bitter tasting drugs which act on the mucous membranes of the mouth and stomach to increase appetite and promote digestion]
*diuretic [an agent that increases the volume and flow of urine which cleanses the urinary system]
*sedative (mild) [a soothing agent that reduces nervousness, distress or irritation]
*vasodilator [an agent that widens the blood vessels, lowering blood pressure]

Medicinal Part used: Root

Baical Skullcap is commonly used for:

Allergic Conditions

*allergic and inflammatory diseases
*allergic rhinitis
*hay fever
*inhibits prostaglandin production and histamine release
Blood Conditions

inhibits collagen and arachidonic acid induced platelet aggregation

Cardiovascular Conditions

*atherosclerosis
*hypertension

.
Gastrointestinal Conditions

*bacillary dysentery
Immune system Conditions

*acute infections
*autoimmune diseases
*chronic infection
*retroviruses, e.g. herpes, HIV etc.

Inflammatory Conditions

*chronic inflammation

.
Liver Conditions

*cholecystitis
*hepatitis

.
Metabolic Conditions

cataract and diabetes complications
Pregnancy

*abnormal fetal movements
*toxemia in pregnancy

.
Respiratory Conditions

*acute bronchitis
*asthma
*colds

.
Other

*clears heat and damp heat
*leukemia
*scarlet fever
*tumors

.
Externally

*acne vulgaris
*eczema
*peridontal disease
*urticaria

Dosage:

Recommended dosage is as follows:

2-6g/day dried root
4-12mL/day 1:2 fluid extract

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://www.robsplants.com/plants/ScuteBaica
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scutellaria_baicalensis
http://www.globalherbalsupplies.com/herb_information/baical_skullcap.htm

http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/potd/2007/12/scutellaria_baicalensis_1.php

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