Botanical name: Scutellaria lateriflora
© Steven Foster
Parts used and where grown
Scullcap is a member of the mint family. Scutellaria lateriflora grows in eastern
North America and is most commonly used in United States and European herbal products
containing scullcap. The above-ground (aerial) part of the plant is used in herbal
preparations. It is not interchangeable with
Chinese scullcap.
Scullcap has been used in
connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual
health concern for complete information):
Historical or traditional use (may
or may not be supported by scientific studies)
As is the case in modern herbal medicine, scullcap was used historically as a sedative for
people with nervous tension and insomnia. It
was, and continues to be, commonly combined with
valerian for insomnia.1 It was also used by herbalists as a remedy for epilepsy and nerve pain.
Active constituents
Few studies have been completed on the constituents of American scullcap. One of its
constituents, scutellarian, has been reportedly shown to have mild sedative and antispasmodic
actions in animal studies.2 Human trials have not yet been conducted to confirm the
use of scullcap for anxiety or insomnia.
How much is usually taken?
Scullcap tea can be made by pouring 1 cup (250 ml) of boiling water over 1–2
teaspoons (5–10 grams) of the dried herb and steeping for 10 to 15 minutes. This tea may
be drunk three times per day.3 Alternatively, tincture made from fresh scullcap,
1/3–3/4 teaspoon (2–4 ml) three times per day, may be taken.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Use of scullcap in the amounts listed above is generally safe. However, scullcap use during
pregnancy and breast-feeding should be avoided
due to limited information about its safety. Cases of liver damage have been reported in
association with the intake of scullcap. However, on closer examination, it appears these
scullcap products actually contained germander (Teucrium chamaedrys), an herb known
to cause liver damage.4
One case report exists of a 28-year-old man who died of liver failure after taking
unspecified amounts of scullcap, pau d’arco and zinc.5 It appears likely that
this, too, may have been a case of adulteration of scullcap with germander.6
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions
with American scullcap.
References:1. Hoffman D. The Herbal Handbook: A User’s Guide to Medical
Herbalism. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1988, 77.
2. Foster S. Herbs for Your Health. Loveland, CO: Interweave
Press, 1996, 86–7.
3. Hoffmann D. The New Holistic Herbal. New York: Barnes &
Noble Books, 1990, 233.
4. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A. American Herbal Product
Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1997, 105.
5. Hullar TE, Sapers BL, Ridker PM, et al. Herbal toxicity and fatal
hepatic failure [letter]. Am J Med 1999;106:267–8.
6. Brown D. A case of fatal liver failure associated with herbal
products. Healthnotes Rev Complement Integrative Med 1999;6:176–7.