Skullcap, I love you

Ever wonder where some names come from? Sometimes the way that a plant is named can tell us a lot about the time in which the name was given, and sometimes it can tell us about the history of that plant as medicine. In the case of skullcap, we can get a little bit of both! 

Both the Latin name (Scutellaria lateriflora) and common name refer to the shape of the flower, which resembles a helmet or - as the plant was given this name in a time when religion and science were deeply intertwined - a pope’s hat. The skullcap that we interact with most is also called mad-dog skullcap, to differentiate it from its sister plant, downy skullcap. This “mad-dog” name comes from an old use of the plant as medicine for rabies. Spoiler: it does not cure rabies, so please don’t try at home. 

This plant does, however, have incredible healing potential for our nervous systems. Functioning as a mild sedative and antispasmodic, skullcap also nourishes the nervous system, increasing its ability to calm without causing a marked sleepiness. Skullcap is something like a hug for your nervous system, reminding it to slow down and be easy on the rest of your body. It’s often been used in combination with other herbs to treat tremors and petit mal seizures because of how well it strengthens the nervous system and decreases spasms.

Skullcap is also wonderful for a nervous child (or adult!) who has attention issues or can become anxious easily, relieving some of that nervous energy and jumpiness that comes along with a stimulus overwhelm. A combination of skullcap and passionflower will help to calm both body and mind; this can help with mediation, sleep, or just getting through a stressful day. Part of the magic that skullcap works in our body is that it calms our nervous system down so that we can fall asleep when the time comes or be calm and present in the moment despite the intensities around us. Just like how a watched pot never boils, so an overtired mind might not find sleep or peace.

This nervine can also be taken as a mild analgesic, meaning it decreases pain in the body. Skullcap seems to work most specifically against nerve pain, and can be combined with St. John’s wort for this application; think stress induced headaches, neck and back pain, or painful sensations throughout the body that are related to us holding too much stress or anxiety. Just be sure to check with an appropriate health care practitioner if you are taking any medications, as St. John's wort does have some notable drug interactions. 

While its practical medicinal uses have nothing to do with pope’s hats or mad dogs, skullcap is easily one of the most useful herbs for our nervous system that has the least interactions or concerns. Generally considered most effective when taken as a tincture or glycerite prepared from fresh plants, skullcap can also be taken as a tea and is effective for some people this way; just be sure to purchase from a reputable source or grow your own.