Guest guest Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 Skullcap Herb, I use in some of my combinations for sleeping aides in teas that I make. Here's one: Skullcap Hops Passion flower catnip peppermint rosemary mullein donq quai http://www.nutrasanus.com/skullcap.html Skullcap Herb American skullcap is a perennial that can reach heights of three feet or more. It is a member of the mint family and can be found growing in wooded areas and damp meadows throughout Northern America. Its blue flowers bloom in the late summer. They are collected along with the leaves and stems to be dried for use in medicine. American skullcap is not to be mistaken for its related species called Baikal or Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis). Because of its slightly calming effects, American skullcap has been used as the main component in a variety of medicinal tonics. Today it is more effective and less harmful than in years past. Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), or mad dog weed, has been used for rabies. It has been used for over two hundred years as a mild relaxant that affects the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. It has also been used in therapy for anxiety, nervous tension, hysteria, and convulsions and is currently used in connection with symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), stress-related headaches, anorexia nervosa, and insomnia. Today skullcap is commonly used in connection with anxiety, nervous tension, muscle spasms, PMS-related symptoms, tension headaches, restless legs syndrome, insomnia, and mild Tourette's syndrome. Dosage and Administration Skullcap may be used for calming purposes in children as a mild tea. The dose is given according to the child's age and weight. Children 1 to 2 years (24 lb [11 kg] or less) - ¼ cup one to three times per day Children 3 to 6 years (25 to 48 lb [11 to 22 kg]) - ½ cup one to four times per day Children 7 to 11 years (49 to 95 lb [22 to 43 kg]) - ¾ cup one to four times per day Children 12 and older (over 95 lb [43 kg]) - 1 cup one to four times per day It is best to steep tea bags or 1 tsp of dried leaves in a cup of boiling water for 2 minutes. The suggested adult dosage for skullcap is 1 to 2g three times per day. Precautions and Possible Side Effects It has been reported that American skullcap may cause liver damage. Individuals with any type of liver condition should not take American skullcap. Avoid taking American skullcap if you are pregnant or nursing. Skullcap is not normally recommended for children under the age of 18. http://www.altnature.com/gallery/skullcap.htm Habitat Skullcap is a Native N. American perennial herb, found from New York to West Virginia and southward to South Carolina, Alabama and Missouri. Growing in rich woods, thickets, bluffs and along roadsides. Cultivation: Skullcap is easy in a sunny position and any ordinary garden soil. Sow seed in early spring after danger of frost is past. The root is a creeping short rhizome, which sends up hairy, square stems, 6 to 18 inches high, branched, or, in small specimens, nearly simple, with opposite downy leaves, heart-shaped at the base, 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches long, scalloped or toothed edges. The blue to lavender flowers are in racemes and grow from the leaf axils of the upper plant. They are hooded, tube shaped, and two lipped the upper lip being the hood and the lower lip having two shallow lobes. Flowers bloom from May to August, gather above ground parts, in the summer as flowers bloom, dry and store for later herb use. Properties Skullcap is a powerful medicinal herb, it is used in alternative medicine as an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, slightly astringent, emmenagogue, febrifuge, nervine, sedative and strongly tonic. Some valuable constituents found in the plant are Scutellarin, Catalpol, other Volatile oils, bitter iridoids and Tannins. Scientific studies are proving this to be a valuable plant in many areas for mental disorders. Skullcap is used in the treatment of a wide range of nervous conditions including epilepsy, insomnia, hysteria, anxiety, delerium tremens, withdrawal from barbiturates and tranquilisers. A medicinal infusion of the plant is used to promote menstruation, it should not be given to pregnant women since it can induce a miscarriage, the infusion is also used in the treatment of throat infections. The infusion is given for nervous headaches, neuralgia and in headache arising from incessant coughing, pain, and inducing sleep when necessary, without any unpleasant symptoms following. Skullcap is currently being used as an alternative medicine to treat ADD and a number of nerve disorders. Should be used with some caution since in overdose it causes giddiness, stupor, confusion and twitching. Folklore Well known among the Cherokee and other Native American tribes, as a strong emmenagogue and female medicinal herb. Used in some tribes as a ceremonial plant to introduce young girls into womanhood. Once believed of use in the treatment of rabies and schizophrenia. Also used to induce visions. Recipe " Medicinal " tea: To 1 oz. of the powdered herb add a pint of boiling water, steep 10 min. give in 1/2 teacup doses, every few hours. Laterifolia is the species most often used by herbalists, Its flowers are small and leaves triangular. However, you can use any species of skullcap for herbal teas and tinctures. All Skullcaps have this unique seed pod and distinctive hooded flowers. Skullcap leaf size and shapes vary widely amongst the species. Color of flowers range from red-violet to blue-violet often with white markings. Skullcap Links Other Monographs http://www.healthandage.com/html/res/com/ConsHerbs/Skullcapch.html http://www.npicenter.com/library/herbal/materiamedica/SKULLCAP.asp http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g2603/is_0006/ai_2603000665 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 A good combination! It would help body and mind! Thank you Michele! Love, Joy [ ] Skullcap Herb Skullcap Herb, I use in some of my combinations for sleeping aides in teas that I make. Here's one:SkullcapHopsPassion flowercatnippeppermintrosemarymulleindonq quaihttp://www.nutrasanus.com/skullcap.htmlSkullcap HerbAmerican skullcap is a perennial that can reach heights of three feet or more. It is a member of the mint family and can be found growing in wooded areas and damp meadows throughout Northern America. Its blue flowers bloom in the late summer. They are collected along with the leaves and stems to be dried for use in medicine.American skullcap is not to be mistaken for its related species called Baikal or Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis).Because of its slightly calming effects, American skullcap has been used as the main component in a variety of medicinal tonics. Today it is more effective and less harmful than in years past. Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), or mad dog weed, has been used for rabies. It has been used for over two hundred years as a mild relaxant that affects the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. It has also been used in therapy for anxiety, nervous tension, hysteria, and convulsions and is currently used in connection with symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), stress-related headaches, anorexia nervosa, and insomnia.Today skullcap is commonly used in connection with anxiety, nervous tension, muscle spasms, PMS-related symptoms, tension headaches, restless legs syndrome, insomnia, and mild Tourette's syndrome.Dosage and AdministrationSkullcap may be used for calming purposes in children as a mild tea. The dose is given according to the child's age and weight. Children 1 to 2 years (24 lb [11 kg] or less) - ¼ cup one to three times per day Children 3 to 6 years (25 to 48 lb [11 to 22 kg]) - ½ cup one to four times per day Children 7 to 11 years (49 to 95 lb [22 to 43 kg]) - ¾ cup one to four times per day Children 12 and older (over 95 lb [43 kg]) - 1 cup one to four times per day It is best to steep tea bags or 1 tsp of dried leaves in a cup of boiling water for 2 minutes. The suggested adult dosage for skullcap is 1 to 2g three times per day. Precautions and Possible Side EffectsIt has been reported that American skullcap may cause liver damage. Individuals with any type of liver condition should not take American skullcap. Avoid taking American skullcap if you are pregnant or nursing. Skullcap is not normally recommended for children under the age of 18.http://www.altnature.com/gallery/skullcap.htmHabitat Skullcap is a Native N. American perennial herb, found from New York to West Virginia and southward to South Carolina, Alabama and Missouri. Growing in rich woods, thickets, bluffs and along roadsides. Cultivation: Skullcap is easy in a sunny position and any ordinary garden soil. Sow seed in early spring after danger of frost is past. The root is a creeping short rhizome, which sends up hairy, square stems, 6 to 18 inches high, branched, or, in small specimens, nearly simple, with opposite downy leaves, heart-shaped at the base, 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches long, scalloped or toothed edges. The blue to lavender flowers are in racemes and grow from the leaf axils of the upper plant. They are hooded, tube shaped, and two lipped the upper lip being the hood and the lower lip having two shallow lobes. Flowers bloom from May to August, gather above ground parts, in the summer as flowers bloom, dry and store for later herb use.Properties Skullcap is a powerful medicinal herb, it is used in alternative medicine as an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, slightly astringent, emmenagogue, febrifuge, nervine, sedative and strongly tonic. Some valuable constituents found in the plant are Scutellarin, Catalpol, other Volatile oils, bitter iridoids and Tannins. Scientific studies are proving this to be a valuable plant in many areas for mental disorders. Skullcap is used in the treatment of a wide range of nervous conditions including epilepsy, insomnia, hysteria, anxiety, delerium tremens, withdrawal from barbiturates and tranquilisers. A medicinal infusion of the plant is used to promote menstruation, it should not be given to pregnant women since it can induce a miscarriage, the infusion is also used in the treatment of throat infections. The infusion is given for nervous headaches, neuralgia and in headache arising from incessant coughing, pain, and inducing sleep when necessary, without any unpleasant symptoms following. Skullcap is currently being used as an alternative medicine to treat ADD and a number of nerve disorders. Should be used with some caution since in overdose it causes giddiness, stupor, confusion and twitching.Folklore Well known among the Cherokee and other Native American tribes, as a strong emmenagogue and female medicinal herb. Used in some tribes as a ceremonial plant to introduce young girls into womanhood. Once believed of use in the treatment of rabies and schizophrenia. Also used to induce visions.Recipe"Medicinal" tea: To 1 oz. of the powdered herb add a pint of boiling water, steep 10 min. give in 1/2 teacup doses, every few hours.Laterifolia is the species most often used by herbalists, Its flowers are small and leaves triangular. However, you can use any species of skullcap for herbal teas and tinctures. All Skullcaps have this unique seed pod and distinctive hooded flowers. Skullcap leaf size and shapes vary widely amongst the species. Color of flowers range from red-violet to blue-violet often with white markings. Skullcap LinksOther Monographshttp://www.healthandage.com/html/res/com/ConsHerbs/Skullcapch.html http://www.npicenter.com/library/herbal/materiamedica/SKULLCAP.asp http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g2603/is_0006/ai_2603000665 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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