Baical Scullcap ~ Scutellaria baicalensis

Baical Scullcap

Latin name: Scutellaria baicalensis

Family: Lamiaceae

Part used: root

Habitat:China,Russia

Main constituents: baicalin, baicalein, wogonin, oroxylin, beta-sitosterol

Energetics: bitter, cooling

Main herbal actions: calming, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-pyretic, diuretic, cholagogue, hemostatic, lowers blood lipids, bronchodilator, immune stimulant

Minor herbal actions: hypotensive, anti-allergic, anti-abortive

Main medicinal uses: allergic conditions: rhinitis, asthma, otitis media, food allergies, and allergic edema; respiratory, intestinal, hepatobiliary, urinary, cystitis, yeast and fungal infections

Minor medicinal uses: inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease; hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension

Preparations: infusion: 1-2 tsp/cup tid; tincture: 2-4 ml tid; pwd: 1- 3 g tid

Contraindications: pregnancy, lactation

Toxicity: relatively safe for long-term use

Sources: http://www.herbalists.on.ca/resources/freeman/SCUTELLA.html; http://www.herbvigor.com/menu/Herb/Scullcap.html