Skullcap (American)
Scutellaria lateriflora, family Lamiaceae. Part discussed: Aerial parts.
Identity
- Common name
- Skullcap (American)
- Botanical name
- Scutellaria lateriflora
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Part or material
- Aerial parts
- Classification
- Botanical
- Educational category
- Rest and Relaxation
About
Scutellaria lateriflora L., Lamiaceae, aerial parts. Explicitly distinct from Baikal skullcap (S. baicalensis).
Forms and distinctions
Different preparations of the same material are described separately, because what is recorded for one form does not carry to another.
Identity and liver-safety scope only. No preparation form beyond aerial parts is recorded.
Safety considerations
Liver-injury case reports exist in the literature, but attributes these principally to adulteration with Teucrium (germander) rather than to authenticated S. lateriflora. This attribution must be stated with precision and never compressed to "skullcap causes liver injury.".
References
The authorities this entry draws on, named so you can weigh them yourself.
- LiverTox · US National Institutes of Health
- "Current status of research on the medicinal plant American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora): a review · Peer-reviewed scientific literature
- "Adulteration of skullcap with American germander · Institutional reference source
This entry is educational. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not a statement about any Pam Oh Herbs Collection or its contents. It carries no dosage and no claim of effect.