Skullcap - Research:
Recent research has demonstrated that skullcap may be effective at reducing anxiety in a study population of healthy volunteers.6
There are currently no clinical studies on the external use of skullcap. Recent animal studies indicate that skullcap may have anti-inflammatory properties, but human clinical studies would be needed to confirm this.1
References:
1 DerMarderosian A, Beutler JA, eds. The Review of Natural Products: The Most Complete Source of Natural Product Information. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons; 2002.
6 Wolfson P, Hoffman DL. An investigation into the efficacy of Scutellaria lateriflora in healthy volunteers. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2003;2:74-78.
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Medicinal uses supported by clinical data
None. Although clinical case reports suggest that Radix Scutellariae may stimulate the immune system and induce haematopoiesis (17–19), data from controlled clinical trials are lacking.
Uses described in pharmacopoeias and well established documents
Treatment of fever, nausea and vomiting, acute dysentery, jaundice,
coughs, carbuncles and sores, and threatened abortion (3, 4).
Uses described in traditional medicine
Treatment of allergies, arteriosclerosis, diarrhoea, dermatitis and hyper-
tension (7)
References:
3. Pharmacopoeia of the Republic of Korea, 7th ed. Seoul, Taechan yakjon, 1998
4. Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China (English edition). Vol. I Beijing, China, Chemical Industry Press, 2000.
7. Farnsworth NR, ed. NAPRALERT database. Chicago, IL, University of Illinois at Chicago, 9 February 2000 production (an online database available directly through the University of Illinois at Chicago or through the
Scientific and Technical Network (STN) of Chemical Abstracts Services)
17. Chang HM, But PPH, eds.Pharmacology and applications of Chinese materia medica, Vol. II. Singapore, World Scientific, 1987.
18. Gol’dberg VE, Ryzhakov VM, Matiash MG et al. Ekstrakt shlemnika baikal’skogo sukhoi v kachestve gemostimuliatora v usloviakh protivoopuk-holevoi khimioterapii bol’nykh rakom legkogo. [Dry extract of
Scutellaria baicalensis as a hemostimulant in antineoplastic chemotherapy in patients with lung cancer.]
Eksperimentalnaya i Kliniceskaya Farmakologiya, 1997, 60:28–30.
19. Smol’ianinov ES, Gol’dberg VE, Matiash MG et al. Vliianie ekstracta shlemnika baikal’skogo na munologicheskii status bol’nykh rakom legkogo v usloviiakh protivoopukholevoi khimioterapii. [Effect of Scutellaria baicalensis 325
extract on the immunologic status of patients with lung cancer receiving antineoplastic emotherapy.] Eksperimentalnaya i Kliniceskaya Farmakologi-ya, 1997, 60:49–51.
