Biological Description
The genus of Scutellaria includes approximately 300 species. Scutellaria baicalensis georgi from the Lamiaceae family is said to be one of the potent medicinal herbs and is thus used to treat a number of health disorders for over two thousand years.
Scutellaria baicalensis is also called Baical or Chinese Scutellaria, or Scullcap. It is a perennial herb, which grows to a height of 1-4 feet. It has four-angled stems with multiple opposite leaves. Its blue to purple flowers are characterised by the specific shape, which resembles the scull. Two petals of the flower are often called lips. The flowers, blooming in July, are situated on one side of the stem. The root of the herb is thick and branchy. It is almost skinless.
Growing
Scutellaria baicalensis is native to Eastern Asia. It grows abundantly in the regions of Lake Baical, eastern Siberia, and northern China. Most often, it is found on the open, sunny grasslands in the higher elevations. It grows well on sandy or rocky dry soils.
Parts Used
The root of Scutellaria baicalensis is used for medicinal purposes. The plant is allowed to grow for about 4 years before the root is taken. The reason is that the amount of beneficial herbal components is higher in the older plants. Roots are harvested in spring or autumn and dried.
Market
Extracts, tablets, capsules, fluidextracts of Scutellaria baicalensis root chemicals can be found on sale these days.
Action
Chemical composition of the plant includes flavonoids (scutellarin,baicalin, and wogonin), steroidal saponins, alkaloids, glycosides, volatile oils, iridoids and tannins, due to which the herb is widely used and is believed to have power to treat health disorders.
Scutellaria baicalensis seems to be a good antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory agent. Both topical and oral preparations serve for reducing inflammation, inhibition of angiogenesis (the growth of the new blood vessels, which occurs during the spreading of cancerous tumours), and preventing ethanol-induced hyperlipidemia and histamine release from the mast cells.
All the scientists agree that flavonoids are the main chemicals, which display beneficial effects in the human body. They are believed to possess anticancer abilities. The studies conducted by this time support this theory.
Baicalin is said to be the most powerful and promising flavonoid peculiar for this herb. It is due to its influence plant’s root is a so valuable herbal remedy against many diseases. Baicalin is believed to interfere with hormonal reactions and release of histamines and bile in the body; it stimulates gallbladder activity, inhibits inflammation, as well as suppresses the activity of leukaemia-derived T-cells and replication of viruses and bacteria.
Health Benefits
Long history of use, herbalists’ observations, and recently conducted laboratory studies on animals support the claims that Scutellaria baicalensis helps fight, lessen, or prevent such diseases as:
– cancer (the plant keeps leukaemia-derived T-cells of the human immune system in the dormant state and inhibits cancer-causing effects of fungal toxins)
– chronic fatigue syndrome (zinc found in the plant helps prevent this disease),
– anxiety and stress (Scullcap blocks overproduction of stress hormone, which is also helpful for managing headaches),
– headache and hangover (the herb prevents the inflammation of the brain cells caused by histamine release in response to high levels of alcohol in blood),
– allergies and asthma (herb’s baicalin controls hormonal reactions and histamine release upon exposure to allergy triggers),
– influenza, pneumonia, and ear infections (the process of replication and multiplying of the viruses, bacteria, and fungi is blocked by Scutellaria; it is most effective against Candida, Streptococcus group, Staphylococcus, and others),
– diabetes and atherosclerosis (bacterial infection, often linked to the development of atherosclerosis, in reduced by Scutellaria, as well as swelling of the arteries linings due to injuries),
– heart attack (the risk of heart attack is significantly reduced due to Scullcap’s cholesterol-lowering effect),
– hypertension (diuretic ability of Scutellaria helps lower blood pressure and dilate blood vessels),
– high cholesterol (the stimulation of the gallbladder to produce more bile results in “washing” cholesterol off the liver into the intestines and out of the body),
– periodontal disease (Sutellaria increases the production of collagen in the gums, which helps reverse gingivitis and prevent periodontal disease).
Scutellaria baicalensis georgi is a popular remedy among herbalists and those people, who seek for diseases elimination with natural means. Hopefully, soon scientific research will provide more information on the hidden power of the herb, its benefits, and what is even more important, on its practical use, dosage, and risks.