Skullcap
Scutellaria lateriflora
1:4 Ethanol/Distilled H2O Spagryic Tincture of organic Scullcap aerial parts, with plant salts added.
Quality: Cooling, slightly drying.

Physical Properties*: 
This long used herb is a truly dependable nerve tonic, its soothing actions include antispasmodic, sedative, nervine, nerve toning, and anticonvulsant. These effects have been used to treat those experiencing insomnia, anxiety, epilepsy, delirium tremens (alcohol withdrawal symptoms), neuralgia, and withdrawal from tranquilisers and barbiturates. This herb possesses further soothing properties in its ability to encourage delayed menstruation; expulsion of the placenta; and it can ease pain in tender breasts.  Skullcap is astringent (drying in a tissue toning way) and it holds a strong concentration of anti-oxidants that have exhibited the ability to protect DNA from free-radical damage, particularly in the brain and nervous system. This can make it a useful plant in neurodegenerative afflictions such as Parkinson’s and Lyme Borreliosis induced cognitive decline. Whilst this herb is definitely relaxing, and can aid in good sleep, I personally find that I can easily stay awake under its influence if I have things to do, especially mind-based activities, which the plant infuses with much stillness and calm. For those looking to undertake further research, the plant contains the following polyphenols and flavonoids such as: baicalein, baicalin, wogonin, wogonoside, scuttellarien, scutellarin, apigenin, and chrysin.

*Before purchase please see full disclaimer at bottom of page - statements and products not approved by TGA.

Emotional/Spiritual effects*:
This herb is incredibly effective at slowing down those who are always trying to get one step ahead of the game (or themselves) and thus may be feeling scattered from living with too much intensity, skullcap can draw one back to clarity in the present moment, and thence allow one to really feel what is being called for. On the physical level Skullcap is strengthening the nervous system, and with a stronger nervous system one can accurately receive the callings of spirit, and with the aforementioned clarity, masterfully bring those callings in to full awareness and resultant action. In the tarot, skullcap is the star, representing Aquarius, an age we are entering in to, wherein there is indeed an increased inspirational flow of energy. The star comes after the tower, which symbolises the intense and often humbling processes that can break us down in to a very humbled state, wherefrom inspiration can flow… However, those humbling, crumbling processes, whilst cracking us open, can also leave us under resourced to go and act upon our newly realised inspirations. Skullcap has the ability to pieced together our insight-cracked skulls, so we obtain the zen and calm necessary for carrying that insight into the world. It also gives us the gift of patience and an awareness of timing, that generates the peace and grace within us to appropriately unfurl our newfound awareness… this is a particularly useful set of plant offerings when one is arising from unjust or triggering situations that are stimulating one to scream the answer out now!... When ‘screamed’ some folks can turn away from what may be the deeper truth, so skullcap soothes and nourishes, so that we offer truth to those who are ready to receive in a way that enables them to receive it, then spreading along our channels of energy reception (our nerves) to help them be stronger, and more able to decipher this new information coming through…

Cautions/Contraindications:
-Liver conditions: Those who have liver conditions should avoid this plant.
Sedative drugs may cause extreme drowsiness and muscle apathy when combined with skullcap, medicines including:
-Anticonvulsants that cause sedation: Valproic acid (Pepakote) and phenytoin (Dilantin).
-Benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax).
-Barbituates.
-Anti-insomnia drugs such as zaleplon (Sonata), zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone (Lunesta) and ramelteon (Rozerem).
-Alcohol
-Tricyclic andtidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil).
-May interact with common medications, such as blood thinners, cholesterol-lowering medications, cytochrome P450 substrate drugs, and pain killers – seek medical professional advice and proceed with caution if planning to combine with any of these kind of medications.