Relaxation / Skullcap

Herb Of The Week / Relaxation / Skullcap


Herb Of The Week

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), is an herb one might consider for
rest and relaxation or insomnia or any other sleep disturbance such as
hysteria, nightmares or just plain restless sleep. Skullcap can be
combined with some of the other "sleep herbs" such as chamomile, hops,
Passion Flower, kava kava or valerian. Especially kava kava and
valerian. It's said that skullcap may even be used for mild emotional
disturbances. Obviously, you might need the immediate professional
attention and/or services of a psychiatrist if you are emotionally
disturbed, but skullcap may be useful if one is mildly distressed. It
has a specific use in the treatment of seizure and hysterical states
as well as epilepsy.
Epilepsy is dangerous in that nobody knows what will trigger it, so
home cures have to be approached with supreme caution and probably at
the advise of a physician. There are a lot of physicians that are
degreed in herbal medicine as well as allopathic (conventional) that
would be more sympathetic towards herbal approaches.


It relaxes your nerves while at the same time renewing and revivifying
the central nervous system. It has even been used in the treatment of
seizure and hysterical states as well as epilepsy. The cool thing is
its soothing influence continues for a protracted period, even after
the use is discontinued. Most people don't use it for pain although
some people do and swear by it.


Skullcap is one of those forgotten herbs that was used extensively
during the 1800's
before the modern pharmaceutical age of medicine. It was listed in the
National Formulary and U.S. Pharmacopoeia for a while. Skullcap was
known and used by several American Indian tribes as well. Indeed, many
doctors of the 19th century used Skullcap with great success, to treat
nervous diseases, convulsions, neuralgia, insomnia, restlessness and
even tetanus. These uses continue to persist even today, but little
scientific research has been carried out lately. In one study,
skullcap was demonstrated to stabilize and normalize blood pressure. I
guess it may best be considered a minor neural sedative.


But..... of course... IT'S YOUR HEALTH. Why take my word for it?

You can research anything mentioned on this site yourself. Some good
search engines are www.mamma.com or www.google.com. or www.dogpile.com
or www.askjeeves.com ...etc. Enter one or more keywords and do your
own research.

Until next time remember .... most illness (upwards of 80% according
to experts) can be attributed to FOUR important factors that can
weaken your immune system and your ability to fight off disease:

1. Anxiety, depression, anger, guilt and other STRESS factors
2. Improper and/or inadequate NUTRITION habits
3. A sedentary lifestyle that does not include enough EXERCISE
4. Not enough rest and quality SLEEP time

The United States Surgeon General warned Americans in a landmark 1988
report on Nutrition and Health that "diet related diseases account for
68% of U.S. deaths"

Remember, we ALWAYS recommend that you ALWAYS consult a professional
herbalist, naturopathologist or physician. We are just passing along
what we hope to be useful information.

Until next time,
Quinnten, Editor