Chinese or Asian skullcap is a plant native to China and Russia, and is a member of the mint family. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and should not be confused with American skullcap (S. latiflora) or European/Greater skullcap (S. galericulata), which have very different action and uses. The root of Chinese skullcap is used medicinally.
It contains various flavanoids including baicalin, which has antioxidant protective effects on the liver. It also contains tannins and volatile oil. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-microbial.
Historically it has been used to treat a number of conditions including:
The dried herb can be infused to make a herbal tea and taken up to three times per day. Tinctures, capsules and tablets are also available.
Safety during pregnancy and lactation has not been sufficiently studied and should therefore be avoided. At the time of writing there are no well -known side effects, drug interactions or contra-indications.
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