American Skullcap

Long before it lined apothecary shelves, American skullcap grew wild along North American stream banks and meadow edges. Cherokee healers gathered it to support women through their monthly cycles, and by the 1700s it had picked up the folk name "mad-dog weed." In the 1800s, the Eclectic physicians of American herbal medicine relied on it as one of their go-to nervines, a plant for frazzled nerves and restless minds.

THE SCIENCE, IN PLAIN LANGUAGE

Skullcap's leaves and flowers carry a family of flavonoids, including baicalin, baicalein, and wogonin. Preclinical research suggests these compounds interact with GABA-A receptors in the brain, the same pathway your body uses to dial down tension.* In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial in healthy adults, skullcap improved overall mood scores compared to placebo without lowering energy or focus. Anxiety scores alone did not change significantly, so research is still early and promising rather than settled.*

A note on quality: skullcap has a long history of being swapped out for other plants. We sell true American skullcap, Scutellaria lateriflora, the species studied for these effects. It is not Chinese skullcap root, which is a different plant.

WHY AMERICAN SKULLCAP?

• May support a calm, relaxed mood*
• May support a more balanced mood on stressful days*
• May support calm without leaving you foggy or drained*
• May support healthy nervous system function*
• May support physical relaxation after a long day*
• May support an easier evening wind-down routine*
• May support comfort during the monthly cycle, a traditional Cherokee use*
• Naturally rich in flavonoids like baicalin and wogonin*
• Rooted in Cherokee and 19th-century Eclectic herbal traditions*
• Caffeine-free, and great for evenings*
• Pairs beautifully with chamomile, lemon balm, or passionflower*

HOW TO BREW

Add 1–2 tsp (2–4 g) of dried skullcap to 8 oz of just-boiled water. Cover your cup and steep for 10–15 minutes, then strain. Enjoy up to 3 cups daily. The flavor is mild, green, and slightly bitter, and a little honey or a few mint leaves smooth it out.

Tip: Western herbalists have long paired skullcap with lemon balm or chamomile as a classic evening nervine cup. Add a pinch of either and cover while it steeps to hold in the aromatics.

INGREDIENTS: American Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), dried aerial parts.

SUGGESTED USE: 1–2 tsp per 8 oz water, covered, steeped 10–15 minutes, up to 3 cups daily.

⚠️ WARNINGS: May cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you. Do not combine with alcohol, sedatives, sleep aids, or anti-seizure medications. Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for children under 18. If you have a liver condition, consult your healthcare provider first. Older reports of liver problems were linked to skullcap products adulterated with germander. Stop use 2 weeks before scheduled surgery. Consult your healthcare provider if you take any medications.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.