Scutellaria Lateriflora

Scutellaria lateriflora, also known as Blue skullcap, Hoodwort, Virginian skullcap , is a hardy perennial herb native to North America. It is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, which also includes many other herbs. The form is upright and is usually 0.2m to 0.45m in height. It is a wetland loving species and grows along fens and shorelines. The blue flowers appear in July to September and are 10-20mm long. The flowers are in pairs and are all on the same side of the stem. The flowers do not appear at the top of the stem.

The name of the species, 'lateriflara' means having 'lateral flowers' or 'flowers to the side.'

Uses

Scutellaria, as a genus, has numerous medicinal uses and various species of skullcap are used in the same way. It should be noted though that the traditional uses of Virginian Skullcap should not be confused with those of other Skullcaps as there are 200 different species of Skullcap and they are not all used in the same way. Blue Skullcap (S. lateriflora) is accepted as the skullcap used in traditional North American medicine.

Blue Skullcap is mainly known forist's traditional use as a mild sedative (anxiolytic) in the form of herbal teas, tablets, capsules, dried leaf for smoking and oral liquid preparations, often in combination with other medicinal herbs. The aqueous extract of the flowering parts have been traditionally used by Native Americans as a nerve tonic and for its sedative and diuretic properties.

Blue Skullcap is also known to prevent the recurrence of seizure.

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