Baikal Skullcap (aka. Chinese Skullcap, Huang Qin; Scutellaria baicalensis) is a flowering plant from the Mint family with characteristic purple flowers with a “skullcap” shape of its calyx, often growing on rock outcroppings or grassy areas near the coast, a native to Asia, Russia and Siberia
As it produces attractive flowers it is sometimes enjoyed as a garden ornamental. Its young leaves have been consumed as a cooked vegetable and the whole plant is dried and used as a tea substitute.
Baikal Skullcap is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and is known for its use in “hot and damp” conditions, and for its use for respiratory health, immune support and cytokine balance.
It is also one of the most popular herbs used for respiratory support often in combination with Forsythia and Japanese Honeysuckle.
It’s root is the main medicinal plant part used, and although the American Skullcap (S. lateriflora) is the main species used for nervous conditions, Baikal Skullcap is also sometimes used for its nervine qualities.
➡️ It is also well-known for cognitive and cardiovascular benefits, with additional interest from the longevity community. The main actives that are thought to work together are apigenin, baicalein and baicalin.
Through scientific investigation, Baikal Skullcap has been found to have a number of activities, including calming, neuroprotective, immune support, cytokine balance, liver support, and antioxidant among other activities.
In animal husbandry, powdered roots and extracts are used as feed additives for poultry, pigs, and dairy cattle to enhance growth performance, modulate gut microbiota, improve immunity, and reduce infectious and inflammatory disease burden, illustrating an expanding role beyond direct human herbal medicine.
Baikal Skullcap- To Cool Your Head
