Skullcap

For centuries, Chinese physicians have used Asian skullcap (S. baikalensis) as a tranquilizer/sedative and treatment for convulsions.

Skullcap was first brought to the attention of physicians in the West in 1772 as a cure for rabies.  A new England physician claimed that his experiments proved the herb prevented and cured the much dreaded "hydrophobia."  Over the next hundred years, herbalists used skullcap as a digestive aid tranquilizer.

America's 19th-century Eclectic physicians recommended the herb primarily as a tranquilizer/sedative for insomnia and nervousness, and for treatment of "intermittent fever" (malaria), convulsions, and delirium tremens of advanced alcoholism.

Skullcap entered the U.S. Pharmacopoeia in 1863 as a tranquilizer.  It remained there until 1916, when it moved to the National Formulary, the pharmicists' reference, where it remained until 1947.

Contemporary herbalistsrecommend skullcap as a tranquilizer for insomnia, nervous tension, premenstrual syndrome, and drug and alcohol withdrawal.

Two Japanese studies showed skullcap increases levels of "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins or HDLs).   As HDLs increase, the risk of heart attack decreases.  These findings suggest the herb may potentially help prevent human heart disease and some strokes.