Plant Family: Lamiaceae
Botanical Name: Scuttelaria pekinensis
Alternative Name: Skullcap
Blooms: Late Spring and Summer
Medicinal Uses: Skullcap is used for treatments in a variety of different nervous conditions including epilepsy, insomnia, hysteria, anxiety, delirium tremens, withdrawal from barbiturates and tranquilizers. An infusion of Skullcap is given for nervous headaches, neuralgia and in headaches that may arise from incessant coughing and pain. It can also induce sleep whenever needed, without causing negative side effects. Some of its properties include: anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, slight astringent, nervine, and strongly tonic. Medicinal infusions of the plant can be made in order to help promote menstruation. Skullcap has also been used in traditional Chinese medicine to relieve colds, fever, high blood pressure and insomnia, among other problems.
Folklore: Native Americans used this plant to promote menstruation. It was employed in the ceremonial transition of young girls to womanhood. It was also believed to be used in the treatment of rabies and schizophrenia; also used to induce visions.
Wearing Skullcap by women was said to keep their husbands faithful. If used in a bath, it is believed to help relieve stress and and any negative tensions that may have built up in the body. The Cherokee also used infusions and decoctions of Skullcap roots for treating diarrhea, kidney problems and breast pains, and to help expel the afterbirth. The Iroquois used an infusion of the powdered roots to prevent smallpox and to keep the throat clean. In North American folk medicine, skullcap was used as a sedative and nerve tonic, or “nervine,” and skullcap tea was drunk for anxiety.
For more information:
https://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=skullcap
https://altnature.com/gallery/skullcap.htm
http://herbalriot.tumblr.com/post/58142012360/the-magickal-uses-of-skullcap
