Skullcap herb

The scientific name for skullcap herb is cutellia laterifolia.

However, it has various other street names such as blue skullcap, mad-dog cap,Virginian skullcap and hedworth. It is a perennial herb which grows naturally in North America and belonging to the famous mint family.

Skull cap grows straight to a height of 0.6 – 0.8 meters. The herb prefers wet areas and thus grows next to meadows, marshes as well as other wet habitats. The flowers measure less that one centimetre and are blue in colour. Unlike most of the plants, the skull cap’s flowers sprout out of the side branches that emerge from leaf axils.

It is native to North America and grows in abundance in various parts of the United States such as Missouri, New York, South Carolina, West Virginia and Alabama. The skullcap that is common among the herbalists is Scutellaria lateriflora, it’s unique and grows best in areas free from disturbances.

As for the other skullcaps, they grow well in woody habitats and sunny habitats.

The Skullcap root is short rhizome and the stems are hairy. The leaves grow in a unique opposite pattern, and may bear smooth or serrated edges. Some species of the skullcap have weak stems which on dropping to the ground produce roots and form new plants. However, as was said earlier on, a good number of the skullcaps have strong stems that will not drop to the ground.

Skullcap herb will help to

• Promote sleep
• Treat mental disorders
• Promote periods in women
• Reduce headaches
• Correct nerve disorders
• Induce visions
• Reduce inflammations

Medical uses

For a long time now, skullcap has been relied on for the cure of various diseases and conditions due to its various features that include sedative, emmenagogue, slightly astringent, febrifuge,  anti-inflammatory, strongly tonic, nervine, and antispasmodic. There are various essential nutrients in the herb that make if very effective in the cure of a wide range of diseases. It has been discovered to reduce mental disorder and even correct the cases that are not complicated. In nervous disorders, it treats a good number such as epilepsy, tranquilisers, delirium tremens, and hysteria, withdrawal from barbiturates, insomnia and anxiety. A fusion of the herb is used to induce miscarriage and promote menstruation among women. There are several other uses of the plant that include treatment of infections to the throat, reduction of headaches and coughing as well as inducing sleep.

Magical uses

Just like many of the herbs, it is widely used in the magic world. Among some American tribes, it is a female herb that was used to initiate girls into womanhood