Skullcap, also known as Virginian skull cap, Mad-dog skull cap, or its scientific name Scutellaria lateriflora, is a part of the Lamiaceae or Mint Family. Skullcap is a delicate blue/violet, tube-like flower with a square stem and oval leaves commonly found in England and Wales, and it has roughly 350 species worldwide. Many get skullcap confused with the highly poisonous mushroom death cap, but skullcap is safe to consume, even in high doses. 

You might need skullcap if . . .  

• You experience anxious thoughts or stress. 
• You have trouble sleeping.
• You suffer from muscle tension. 

Benefits of Skullcap  

• Supports feeling of calm
• Antibacterial properties 
• May support heart health
• Anticonvulsant properties 

Common ways to use Skullcap 

You can find skullcap in dried bulk, teas, capsules, powders, extracts, essential oils, and herbal tinctures.

Growing and Foraging Information  

If you grow skullcap, choose well-drained soil and provide full sun to partial shade. Wild skullcaps can be foraged and would likely be found in damp wooded areas.  

Safety Concerns  

Drug Interaction: If you have any health concerns or are taking any prescription medication, please consult with your healthcare provider before adding new herbs to your diet.  

Breastfeeding and Pregnancy: There are no known contraindications for breastfeeding and pregnancy.  As per trusted herbalist Richard Whelan, skullcap is very safe to use, even in high doses, for the young and old, and during pregnancy and breastfeeding. 

Other Concerns:   The mainstream narrative will tell you to avoid skullcap if you have any condition that might worsen by estrogen. Maybe that’s because skullcap has been widely used by the Eclectic physicians of the 18th and 19th centuries for various female disorders in pregnant and non-pregnant women. 

Select Studies About Skullcap 

Skullcap: Benefits, Side Effects, and Dosage 

Skullcap is a flowering plant long used in traditional medicine. Supplements may provide health benefits, including improved mood, reduced inflammation, and anticancer effects. 

American Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora): a randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study of its effects on mood in healthy volunteers 

S. lateriflora significantly enhanced global mood without a reduction in energy or cognition.