Skullcap 

Skullcap, Virginia Skullcap, Mad Dog, Hoodwort, Helmet Flower, Quaker Bonnet Scutellaria lateriflora Lamiaceae 

Botany: Perennial growing to 60 cm. Characteristic square stems, pointed leaves with a serrated edge. The flowers are held in pairs and are pink to purple. The name comes from the characteristically shaped seed heads. There are about 100 species of skullcap. 

Parts used: Flowering aerial parts 

Harvesting, cultivation and habitat: Native to North America, grows wild in the USA and Canada. It prefers damp conditions and sun. It can be propagated by seed or root division in spring. 

© The Plant Medicine School 2022 – All rights reserved. 324 

8/2022 

8/2022 History and folklore: The name Mad Dog is from the fact it was used to treat rabies. 

Constituents Flavonoids (scutellarin), Bitter iridoids (catalpol), Volatile oil, Tannins Actions Sedative, Nervine tonic, Antispasmodic, Mild bitter 

Traditional and current uses 

• Traditionally used for menstrual problems 
• The physiomedicalists used it for hysteria, epilepsy, convulsions, rabies and schizophrenia 
• Nowadays used for a nerve tonic, to calm stress and anxiety. 
• Its antispasmodic property helps relieve neuromuscular tension associated with 

stress 

• Insomnia 
• Menstrual pain 
• Migraine
  S altissima is a native species. Some colleagues have remarked that it is more bitter and has 

a relaxing effect without causing loss of focus. 

This herbal monograph is used with the permission of The Plant Medicine School.