Other Common Names: Blue Skullcap, Mad Dog Scullcap, Madweed, Virginian Scullcap, Scutellaria lateriflora
Range: N. America - Newfoundland to British Columbia, south to Florida and Ontario.
Habitat: Alluvial thickets, meadows and swampy woods.
The American species, Virginian Scullcap, flowering in July, with
inconspicuous blue flowers in one-sided racemes, is one of the finest
nervines ever discovered.
Popularly this plant is known in America as Mad-dog Scullcap or
Madweed, having the reputation of being a certain cure for hydrophobia.
A commonly used herbal medicine, virginian skullcap is a very
effective nervine that has traditionally been used in the treatment of
a wide range of nervous conditions. Its tonic and restorative
properties help to support and nourish the nervous system, calming and
relieving stress and anxiety. Very little research has been carried out
on this species, despite its long use in American and British herbal
medicine. Research is sorely needed, and may reveal more uses for this
valuable herb.
It is considered a specific for the convulsive twitchings of St.
Vitus's dance, soothing the nervous excitement and inducing sleep when
necessary, without any unpleasant symptoms following.
The leaves are antispasmodic, slightly astringent, diuretic,
nervine, sedative and strongly tonic. They are harvested in early
summer and dried for later use. It is used in the treatment of various
problems of the nervous system including epilepsy, insomnia, anxiety,
delerium tremens, withdrawal from barbiturates and tranquilisers, and
neuralgia. An infusion of the plant has been used to promote suppressed
menstruation, relieve breast pain and encourage expulsion of the
placenta, it should not be given to pregnant women since it can induce
a miscarriage. This plant should be used with some caution since in
excess it causes giddiness, stupor, confusion and twitching.
The plant was once believed to be of use in the treatment of rabies, though there is no evidence to support this.
- Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
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