Scutellaria baicalensis, also called Chinese skullcap, is a member of the mint family and has long been used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine . Chinese skullcap has been incorporated in herbal formulas designed to treat such widely varying conditions as cancer, liver disease, allergies, skin conditions, and epilepsy. The root is the part used medicinally.
Note:Chinese skullcap is substantially different from American skullcap ( Scutellaria lateriflora).
The Univeristy of Maryland Medical Center states the following:
If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use either American skullcap or Chinese skullcap without first talking to your health care provider.
Sedatives -- Both American skullcap and Chinese skullcap can increase the effect of drugs that have a sedating effect, including:
The same is true of herbs with a sedating effect, such as valerian, kava, and catnip.
Drugs for Diabetes -- Chinese skullcap can lower blood sugar, and could make the effects of drugs taken for diabetes stronger, leading to the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)Baicalin, wobogin, and baicalein appear to have a low order of toxicity, though comprehensive safety studies have not been performed. There have been case reports of liver injury associated with use of skullcap products, but these may have been due to adulteration by the herb germander.
One animal study found worrisome evidence that baicalin might markedly reduce the absorption of drug cyclosporine , used to prevent organ transplant rejection. 1 Another study found that baicalin might reduce blood levels of drugs in the statin family , used to improve cholesterol profile. 2 Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or people with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.
If you are taking:
The root of Chinese scullcap contains the flavonoids baicalin, wogonin, and baicalein, and most studies have involved these substances rather than the whole herb.
Highly preliminary evidence suggest that baicalin can enhance the activity of antibiotics against antibiotic-resistant staph bacteria. 1-3 2 Other highly preliminary evidence suggests that baicalin, wogonin, and baicalein may have anti-cancer , 3 4-8 5 6 anti-inflammatory, 9,10 7 liver-protective , 11 8 anti-anxiety , 12 9 and antihypertensive effects . 13 10 However, for none of these uses does the evidence approach the level necessary to truly establish a treatment as effective.
Research involving combination herbal therapies containing Chinese skullcap are discussed in the Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine article.
References
Scutellaria baicalensis, also called Chinese skullcap, is a member of the mint family and has long been used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine . Chinese skullcap has been incorporated in herbal formulas designed to treat such widely varying conditions as cancer, liver disease, allergies, skin conditions, and epilepsy. The root is the part used medicinally.
Note:Chinese skullcap is substantially different from American skullcap ( Scutellaria lateriflora).
The root of Chinese scullcap contains the flavonoids baicalin, wogonin, and baicalein, and most studies have involved these substances rather than the whole herb.
Highly preliminary evidence suggest that baicalin can enhance the activity of antibiotics against antibiotic-resistant staph bacteria. 1 2 Other highly preliminary evidence suggests that baicalin, wogonin, and baicalein may have anti-cancer , 3 4 5 6 anti-inflammatory, 7 liver-protective , 8 anti-anxiety , 9 and antihypertensive effects . 10 However, for none of these uses does the evidence approach the level necessary to truly establish a treatment as effective.
Research involving combination herbal therapies containing Chinese skullcap are discussed in the Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine article.
A Scutellaria baicalensis, also called Chinese skullcap, is a member of the mint family , the root of Chinese Skullcap (or Scutellaria baicalensis) has and has long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for a variety of conditions including allergies, infections, inflammation, cancer and headaches. Chinese skullcap contains flavone derivatives including baicalin, wogonin and baicalein which inhibit histamine release from mast cells in vitro traditional Chinese herbal medicine . Chinese skullcap has been incorporated in herbal formulas designed to treat such widely varying conditions as cancer, liver disease, allergies, skin conditions, and epilepsy. The root is the part used medicinally.
Note:Chinese skullcap is substantially different from American skullcap ( Scutellaria lateriflora).
The optimum doses, if any, of baicalin, wogonin, and baicalein have not been established. Chinese skullcap is typically taken at a dose of 3-9 grams daily as part of an herbal combination.
The root of Chinese scullcap contains the flavonoids baicalin, wogonin, and baicalein, and most studies have involved these substances rather than the whole herb.
Highly preliminary evidence suggest that baicalin can enhance the activity of antibiotics against antibiotic-resistant staph bacteria. 1 2 Other highly preliminary evidence suggests that baicalin, wogonin, and baicalein may have anti-cancer , 3 4 5 6 anti-inflammatory, 7 liver-protective , 8 anti-anxiety , 9 and antihypertensive effects . 10 However, for none of these uses does the evidence approach the level necessary to truly establish a treatment as effective.
Research involving combination herbal therapies containing Chinese skullcap are discussed in the Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine article.
