The use of Scutellaria lateriflora: A pilot survey amongst herbal medicine practitioners

Abstract

American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is a popular herb in traditional medicine systems and western Materia medica for anxiety and related disorders. It is reported to be one of the most widely used medicinal herbs, with anecdotal evidence for minimal side-effects and with no known toxicity. This article summarises the results of a pilot survey conducted amongst herbal medicine practitioners on their use of S. lateriflora.An email survey was conducted amongst herbal medicine practitioners in the UK and Ireland. It aimed to gather information on the extent of, and indications for, current use of S. lateriflora, its perceived effectiveness and its safety. Herbal medicine practitioners were selected from the membership list of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH). All members with identifiable email addresses were contacted (n = 377) and responses were received from 62 (a 16% response rate).The results of the survey suggested that S. lateriflora is highly regarded among herbal medicine practitioners as an effective intervention for reducing anxiety and stress and is commonly prescribed for these conditions and related co-morbidities. The results were not conclusive as the response rate was low and respondents were only those with email access.

The endemic and rare plants of Maden (Elazig) and their uses in traditional medicine

“…Similar to what is the case in other countries around the world, in recent years, the plants -used traditionally for curative purposes -have attracted the attention of researchers (Ç akilcioglu et al, 2010;Ayyanar and Ignacimuthu, 2011;Sen et al, 2011;Awodele et al, 2012;Bieski et al, 2012;Satil et al, 2011;Brock et al, 2012;Carrio and Valles, 2012;Demirci and Özhatay, 2012;Lone et al, 2012;Polat and Satil, 2012;Ugulu, 2012). Medicinal plants and associated knowledge are presented in Table 1. A total of 55 endemic plants and 1 rare plant belonging to 19 families were identified during the studies carried out in the area of research in 2011.…”

The Phytochemistry of Cherokee Aromatic Medicinal Plants

“…Infusions of the roots of blue skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora, Lamiaceae) were used by the Cherokee for monthly periods and to treat diarrhea; root decoctions were used as an emetic to expel afterbirth and to remedy breast pains [15]. Interestingly, the aerial parts, rather than the roots, are currently used as an herbal medicine as an anxiolytic, sedative and antispasmodic [511,537,595,596].…”