''Scutellaria galericulata'', the common skullcap, marsh skullcap or hooded skullcap, is a hardy
perennial
A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. The term ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the years") is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also wid ...
herb native to northern areas of the Northern Hemisphere, including Europe, Asia, and almost all of Canada. It is a member of the
mint family
The Lamiaceae ( )
or Labiatae are a family of flowering plants commonly known as the mint, deadnettle or sage family. Many of the plants are aromatic in all parts and include widely used culinary herbs like basil, mint, rosemary, sage, savory, ...
. The form is upright and is usually 20-45 centimeters in height, sometimes reaching up to 80 cm. It is a wetland-loving species and grows along
fen
A fen is a type of peat-accumulating wetland fed by mineral-rich Groundwater, ground or surface water. It is one of the main types of wetlands along with marshes, swamps, and bogs. Bogs and fens, both peat-forming ecosystems, are also known as ...
s and shorelines. The blue flowers are 1 to 2 centimeters 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 plant is native to many parts of the world and, as such, is known by a variety of names. The Latin ''galericulata'' means "hooded", relating to the length of the flower's tube being much longer than the calyx. The variation ''epilobiifolia'' translates as ''leaves like willow-herb'', and refers to the slightly serrated long thin leaves which look similar to those of the genus ''
Epilobium
''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics an ...
''.
Medicinal uses
The genus ''
Scutellaria
''Scutellaria'' is a genus of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. They are known commonly as skullcaps. The generic name is derived from the Latin ''scutella'', meaning "a small dish, tray or platter",Blue skullcap (''S. lateriflora'') is accepted as the "skullcap" used in traditional North American medicine, however common skullcap shares many of the same active chemicals and is used as a substitute in Britain and Europe.R. B. H. Wills, D.L. Stuart, ''Generation of High Quality Australian Skullcap Products'', 2004, , http://www.rirdc.gov.au/reports/EOI/04-020.pdf Common skullcap (''S. galericulata'') is also often used in the same way as Western skullcap (''S. canescens'') and Southern skullcap (''S. cordifolia''), all of which are genetically similar.
Blue skullcap and common skullcap are mainly known for their traditional use as mild
anxiolytic
An anxiolytic (; also antipanic or antianxiety agent) is a medication or other intervention that reduces anxiety. This effect is in contrast to anxiogenic agents which increase anxiety. Anxiolytic medications are used for the treatment of anxiet ...
s in the form of
herbal tea
Herbal teas, also known as herbal infusions and less commonly called tisanes (UK and US , US also ), are beverages made from the infusion or decoction of herbs, spices, or other plant material in hot water. Oftentimes herb tea, or the plain term ...
s, 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
A diuretic () is any substance that promotes diuresis, the increased production of urine. This includes forced diuresis. A diuretic tablet is sometimes colloquially called a water tablet. There are several categories of diuretics. All diuretics i ...
properties.Millspaugh, C. F. American Medicinal Plants; Dover Publications: New York, 1974; pp 469-472
Pharmacology
It is used in skin lightening.
See also
*
Valerian (herb)
Valerian (''Valeriana officinalis'', Caprifoliaceae) is a perennial flowering plant native to Europe and Asia. In the summer when the mature plant may have a height of , it bears sweetly scented pink or white flowers that attract many fly specie ...