Monograph: Skullcap

Date: 2018-12-18

NHPID name

Scutellaria lateriflora ( Germplasm Resources Information Network Taxonomy )

Proper name(s)

Scutellaria lateriflora L. (Lamiaceae) ( USDA 2008 )

Common name(s)

• Helmet flower ( Unavailable )
• Hoodwort ( Unavailable )
• Mad-dog skullcap ( Unavailable )
• Quarter bonnet ( Unavailable )
• Scullcap ( McGuffin et al. 2000 )
• Skullcap ( McGuffin et al. 2000 )
• Vriginian skullcap ( Unavailable )

Source material

Herb top ( Barnes et al. 2007 )

Route Of administration

Oral

Dosage form(s)

Those suited to the allowable route(s) of administration. This monograph is not intended to include food-like dosage forms such as bars, chewing gums or beverages.

Use(s) or purpose(s)

Statement(s) to the effect of:

• (Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve restlessness and/or nervousness (calmative).  (Bradley 2006, Boon and Smith 2004, Hoffmann 2003, Tilgner 1999, Williamson et al. 1988, Ellingwood 1983[1919], Felter and Lloyd 1983[1898])
• (Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve restlessness and/or nervousness (calmative) and as a sleep aid (during times of mental stress).
• (Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine as a sleep aid (during times of mental stress).  (Bradley 2006, Tilgner 1999, Ellingwood 1983[1919], Felter and Lloyd 1983[1898])
• (Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve the pain associated with menstruation (antispasmodic).  (Bradley 2006, Boon and Smith 2004, Mills and Bone 2000)

Dose(s)

Adults:

See Appendix 1 for examples of appropriate dosage preparations and frequencies of use, according to cited references. The purpose of Appendix 1 is to provide guidance to industry.

Duration of use

No statement is required

Risk information

Statement(s) to the effect of:

Caution(s) and Warning(s):

• Avoid taking with alcohol or products that cause drowsiness.
• Consult a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/ physician if symptoms persist or worsen.  (Brinker 2001, Gennaro 2000)
• Consult your health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/ physician if sleeplessness persists for more than 4 weeks (chronic insomnia).  (Berardi et al. 2002, DiPiro et al. 2002)

Contraindication(s): Do not use this product if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.  (Barnes et al. 2007, Boon and Smith 2004) Known Adverse Reaction(s): Some people may experience drowsiness. Exercise caution if operating heavy machinery, driving a motor vehicle or involved in activities requiring mental alertness.  (Bradley 2006, Tilgner 1999, Williamson et al. 1988, Ellingwood 1983[1919], Felter and Lloyd 1983[1898])

Non-medicinal ingredients

Must be chosen from the current Natural health products ingredients database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.

Specifications

• The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the NHPD Quality of natural health products guide.
• The medicinal ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the Natural health products ingredient database (NHPID).

References cited

• Barnes J, Anderson LA, Philipson JD. 2007. Herbal Medicines, 3rd edition. London (GB): Pharmaceutical Press.
• Berardi RR, DeSimone EM, Newton GD, Oszko MA, Popovich NG, Rollins CJ, Shimp LA, Tietze KJ, editors. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs: An Interactive Approach to Self-Care, 13th edition. Washington (DC): American Pharmaceutical Association; 2002.
• BHP 1983: British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Cowling (GB): British Herbal Medical Association; 1983.
• Boon H, Smith MJ. 2004. The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to the 50 Most Common Medicinal Herbs, 2nd edition. Toronto (ON): Robert Rose Inc.
• Bradley PR, editor. British Herbal Compendium: A Handbook of Scientific Information on Widely Used Plant Drugs, Volume 2. Bournemouth (UK): British Herbal Medicine Association; 2006.
• Brinker F. 2001. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions, 3rd edition. Sandy (OR): Eclectic Medical Publications.
• Dipiro JT, Talbert RL, Yee GC, Matzke GR, Wells BG, Posey LM. Pharmacotherapy: a pathophysiologic approach, 5th edition. New York (NY): The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.; 2002.
• Ellingwood F. 1983. American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy. Sandy (OR): Eclectic Medical Publications [Reprint of 1919 original].
• Felter HW, Lloyd JU. King's American Dispensatory, Volume 1, 18th edition. Sandy (OR): Eclectic Medical Publications; 1983 [Reprint of 1898 original].
• Gennaro AR, editor. Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 20th edition. Washington (DC): Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2000
• Hoffmann D. 2003. Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester (VT): Healing Arts Press.
• McGuffin M, Kartesz JT, Leung AY, Tucker AO, editors. 2000. Herbs of Commerce, 2nd edition. Austin(TX): American Herbal Products Association.
• Mills S, Bone K. 2000. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Toronto (ON): Churchill Livingstone.
• Mills S, Bone K. 2005. The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. St. Louis (MO): Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
• Tilgner S. Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth. Creswell (OR): Wise Acre Press; 1999.
• USDA 2008: ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville (MD). [Accessed 2008-01-21]. Available at http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl
• Williamson EM, Evans FJ, Wren RC. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations. Saffron Walden (GB): C.W. Daniel Company Limited; 1988.

References reviewed

Appendix 1: Examples of appropriate dosage preparations and frequencies of use

Dried aerial parts:

• 1-2 g, 3 times per day (Bradley 2006)
• 3-6 g, per day (Mills and Bone 2005)
• 0.5-2 g, 1-4 times per day (Boon and Smith 2004)
• 1-2 g, per day (Williamson et al. 1988)
• 1-2 g, 3 times per day (BHP 1983)

Infusion:

• 2 g dried aerial parts, 3 times per day (Bradley 2006)
• 3-6 g dried aerial parts, per day (Mills and Bone 2005)
• 1-2 g dried aerial parts, 3 times per day (BHP 1983)

Fluidextract:

• 2-4 g dried equivalent, 3 times per day
  (1:1, 25% ethanol, 2-4 ml) (Bradley 2006)
• 6-12 g dried equivalent, per day
  (1:1, 6-12 ml) (Mills and Bone 2005)
• 0.5-2 g dried equivalent, 1 to 4 times per day
  (1:1, 25 % alcohol, 0.5-2 ml) (Boon and Smith 2004)
• 2-4 g dried equivalent, 3 times per day
  (1:1, 25% alcohol, 2-4 ml) (BHP 1983)

Tincture:

• 0.4 g dried equivalent, 3 times per day
  (1:5, 45% ethanol, 2 ml) (Bradley 2006)
• 0.6-1.2 g dried equivalent, per day
  (1:5, 3-6 ml) (Mills and Bone 2005)
• 0.25-0.5 g dried equivalent, 1-4 times per day
  (1:8, 25% alcohol, 2-4 ml) (Boon and Smith 2004)
• 0.2-0.4 g dried equivalent, 3 times per day
  (1:5, 45% alcohol, 1-2 ml) (BHP 1983)