Skullcap Tea

Skullcap refers to any of the several species of Scutellaria plants, that belong to the mint family of Labiatae. The genus Scutellaria includes about 12 species of skullcaps. The skullcap plant can be distinguished by its ridged leaves, and the small blue to pink colored flowers, with a helmet-shaped calyx. The plant usually grows up to a height of 45 to 60 centimeters. The skullcap species that is more commonly used for medicinal purposes is Scutellaria lateriflora, which is a perennial plant native to the regions of North America.

Skullcap plant is also known by the names of scullcap, American Skullcap, Western skullcap, hoodwort, blue pimpernel, hooded willow herb and mad-dog weed. The plant got the name 'mad-dog weed' because of its wide scale use during the eighteenth century to treat rabies. Another related species is Chinese skullcap or Scutellaria baicalensis, which has also been a part of traditional medicine, especially Chinese traditional medicine. Skullcap is generally available as a tincture, liquid extract, capsules, and as tea. Its tea is one of the most popular ways to take this herbal medicine to alleviate a host of diseases.

Making Tea from Skullcap Leaves
Pour about a cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of dried leaves of skullcap. Then cover the liquid and let it steep for about 10 minutes. Steeping is the process which allows the infusion or tea to absorb the medicinal properties of the herb. This herbal tea may be consumed once or twice daily.

Skullcap Benefits
Skullcap has been renowned for a number of medicinal properties. This herb is a powerful antioxidant and antihistamine, besides having antibacterial, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, sedative and febrifuge properties. All these make the herbal tea prepared with skullcap leaves an effective remedy for a number of health conditions. It can be used to lower fever, and relieve fatigue and exhaustion. Today, skullcap is known mainly as a sedative. The Chinese skullcap has been used in traditional medicine for curing diarrhea, dysentery, urinary tract infection, abdominal pain, jaundice and gout.

The common skullcap is usually regarded as a tonic for the nervous system, and therefore is widely used to treat tension, anxiety, insomnia, epilepsy and seizures. Apart from these, this herbal tea may help to lower blood pressure, and relieve stress headaches, premenstrual syndrome, muscle spasms, convulsions, nosebleed, menstrual cramps, asthma and allergies. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, skullcap extract and tea may also help the patients of arthritis and gout. Another important benefit of skullcap is that it can help to treat the withdrawal symptoms of alcohol and drug addiction.

Skullcap Side Effects
Its overconsumption is not recommended. If not taken with adequate care, this herbal tea can cause giddiness and confusion. Some other possible side effects associated with the intake of skullcap in high doses are, liver damage, stupor, and in extreme cases, seizures. Apart from these, allergic reactions can develop in individuals, allergic to skullcap herb. Such allergic reactions usually produce a number of symptoms such as, itching, skin rash or hives, and swelling of the mouth, lips and the throat. In the severe cases, one may also experience breathing difficulty. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should avoid this herb or its herbal extract.

This herbal tea can prove immensely helpful for invigorating and soothing the nervous system, and thus relieve anxiety, tension and several other nervous disorders. It can prove equally helpful for digestive disorders as well. However, excessive use can give rise to a number of health problems, for which this herb needs to be taken with caution. Therefore, it is advisable to take skullcap herbal extract and tea only under the supervision of a trained medical practitioner.