Skullcap has a long and interesting documented history along with other herbs. However, skullcap has been used for many thousands of years prior to documentations. Before the Americanization of these lands, the Cherokee Indians and other Native Americans honored the herb skullcap in ceremonial celebrations for young women entering womanhood. During these ages, Native Americans also, used skullcap’s infusions to combat diarrhea, support kidney health, fight breast pains, and help expel the afterbirth from pregnancy deliveries among other things.
Native Americans became very familiar and knowledgeable with native plants and their medicinal properties as these were the only treatments available for any sickness that was brought to the tribe. Trial and error techniques were used to treat ailments and successful treatments were taught to future generations. Herbs that could bring health to the sick were well remembered and praised. Native Americans would need to identify symptoms and orchestrate an herbal solution that would work or most probably their fellow sick brother or sister of the tribe would potentially die.
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In the 1700s skullcap was complemented with the name “mad-dog weed” after a doctor named Dr. Van Vanderveer used skullcap to prevent rabies in both humans and animals. He claimed it prevented the infection of over 4000 people and 1000 cattle after being bitten by an infected animal. However, several doctors questioned this treatment and in 1852 the treatment was dismissed by Drs. John King and Robert Newton.
Though, the historic use of skullcap didn’t get the pharmaceutical support at that time, skullcap does have a long history and now has some research to support its healthful benefits. In today’s technological world, scientists can identify specific compounds in herbs and get clarity on their benefits. The Chinese and East Asia have used skullcap for the last 2000 years for diarrhea, dysentery, hypertension, hemorrhaging, insomnia, inflammation, and respiratory complications.
Flavonoids in skullcap such as baicalin, wogonoside, and their aglycones baicalein wogonin are the major bioactive compounds in skullcap and have been studied for their sedative effects on the nervous system. While these studies still need further investigations, these compounds have suggested therapeutic and healthful support towards the nervous system and nervous conditions such as anxiety and nervousness. skullcap's sedative effects may help calm overactive nerves and support relaxation during times of stress.
