Chinese Skullcap

Pinyin

Huáng Qín

Taste

Bitter ^{18,19Reference 18Yang et al. · 2013Introduction to chinese materia medica (3rd ed.). (Pg 96-98)Reference 19Wu · 2005An illustrated Chinese materia medica}

Energy

Cold ^{18,19Reference 18Yang et al. · 2013Introduction to chinese materia medica (3rd ed.). (Pg 96-98)Reference 19Wu · 2005An illustrated Chinese materia medica}

Channels

Lung, Gallbladder, Stomach, large intestine ^{19Reference 19Wu · 2005An illustrated Chinese materia medica}

Actions

Dispels (clears) heat, expels (drains) damp heat, drains fire, detoxificant, stops bleeding, calms the fetus ^{1,18,19Reference 1Bone · 2003A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs: Herbal formulations for the individual patientReference 18Yang et al. · 2013Introduction to chinese materia medica (3rd ed.). (Pg 96-98)Reference 19Wu · 2005An illustrated Chinese materia medica}.

Indications

The roots are generally the preferred part of the plant in Chinese medicine, used for fevers, cough with thick sputum, pneumonia, nausea, vomiting, hemoptysis, jaundice, viral hepatitis, diarrhoea, dysentery-like diseases, painful urination, hypertension, restless foetus, carbuncles, allergic conditions, hyperlipidemia, vexing heat, internal accumulation of heat toxin, bleeding due to heat exuberance, internal accumulation of damp-heat, and dermatitis ^{1,17,18Reference 1Bone · 2003A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs: Herbal formulations for the individual patientReference 17Barnes et al. · 2007Herbal medicines (3rd ed.)Reference 18Yang et al. · 2013Introduction to chinese materia medica (3rd ed.). (Pg 96-98)}.

Cautions & Safety

Do not use with cold syndromes of deficiency type ^{19Reference 19Wu · 2005An illustrated Chinese materia medica}.

In traditional Chinese medicine, skullcap is considered one of the 50 fundamental herbs, and as such is one of the most commonly used herbs in this medical system ^{2Reference 2Buhner · 2013Herbal antivirals: Natural remedies for emerging resistant and epidemic viral infections}.

In Tibet, S. barbata is the most common species, where it’s juiced (both root and leaves) and used for wounds, fevers, indigestion, and gastric disturbances ^{2Reference 2Buhner · 2013Herbal antivirals: Natural remedies for emerging resistant and epidemic viral infections}.

In North America, the main species used traditionally was S. lateriflora. The Native Americans here used the leaves to treat sore eyes, chills, fever, colds, coughs, heart problems, and as a laxative. The roots were used as an emmenagogue, and abortifacient, antidiarrheal, nervine, treat kidney disorders, cold and flu, and to prevent smallpox ^{2Reference 2Buhner · 2013Herbal antivirals: Natural remedies for emerging resistant and epidemic viral infections}.

The leaves were often used in the form of a tea, or steamed and eaten as a vegetable ^{2Reference 2Buhner · 2013Herbal antivirals: Natural remedies for emerging resistant and epidemic viral infections}.

Priest and priest suggested skullcap as a diffusive, and a stimulating and relaxing vasodilator and trophorestorative. They suggested it useful for treating nervous irritation of the cerebro-spinal nervous system, nervous exhaustion, post-febrile nervous weakness, chorea, hysteria, agitation, epileptiform convulsions, insomnia, and restless sleep. ^{4Reference 4Hoffmann · 2003Medical herbalism: The science and practice of herbal medicine}.

In western botanical practice, skullcaps of all varieties are used mainly as a nervine, but also for conditions such as chorea, convulsions, hysteria, nervous tension, intermittent fever, neuralgia, insomnia, and restlessness. ^{2,17Reference 2Buhner · 2013Herbal antivirals: Natural remedies for emerging resistant and epidemic viral infectionsReference 17Barnes et al. · 2007Herbal medicines (3rd ed.)}.

The flavonol and flavone content of skullcap (especially baicalein and wogonin) were shown to inhibit histamine release from the mast cells ^{1,20Reference 1Bone · 2003A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs: Herbal formulations for the individual patientReference 20Braun et al. · 2010Herbs & natural supplements: An evidence-based guide Vol}. It was found to moderate mast cell release of histamine by restoring IL-8 and TNF-alpha expression, as well as inhibiting MAP kinase expression ^{21Reference 21Jung et al. · 2012In vitroAntiallergic effects of Scutellaria baicalensis on inflammation in vivo and in vitro.Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 141(1), 345-349. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2012.02.044View study →}.

Luteolin and baicalein were shown to inhibit IgE mediated allergic reactions in mice ^{22Reference 22LIM · 2004AnimalEfficacy of Wogonin in the Production of Immunoglobulins and Cytokines by Mesenteric Lymph Node Lymphocytes in Mouse Colitis Induced with Dextran Sulfate SodiumView study →}.

Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) flavonoids such as oroxylin A has been the subject of a great deal of study. It has been found to possess inhibitory actions against such inflammatory factors as NF-kB ^{13Reference 13Wang X et al. · 2016AnimalOroxyloside prevents dextran sulfate sodium induced experimental colitis in mice by inhibiting NF-kappaB pathway through PPARgamma activationView study →} and was found to induce apoptosis in cancer cell lines via inducing translocation of p53 to mitochondria ^{14Reference 14Qiao C et al. · 2016Oroxylin a modulates mitochondrial function and apoptosis in human colon cancer cells by inducing mitochondrial translocation of wild-type p53View study →}.

Scutellaria baicalensis flavonoids (especially oroxylin A) has been found to have anti-inflammatory (and subsequent anti-cancer) actions ^{11,12Reference 11Li HN et al. · 2009In vitroApoptosis induction of oroxylin A in human cervical cancer HeLa cell line in vitro and in vivoView study →Reference 12Kumagai T et al. · 2007Scutellaria baicalensis, a herbal medicine: anti-proliferative and apoptotic activity against acute lymphocytic leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma cell linesView study →}. It has been found to possess inhibitory actions against such inflammatory cytokines as TNF-alpha, and IL-6 ^{10Reference 10Kwon et al. · 2016AnimalAntiviral Activity of Oroxylin A against Coxsackievirus B3 Alleviates Virus-Induced Acute Pancreatic Damage in MiceView study →}. Wogonin and baicalein were both found to be direct COX-2 inhibitors ^{20Reference 20Braun et al. · 2010Herbs & natural supplements: An evidence-based guide Vol}.

Flavonoids from Scutellaria baicalensis were suggested to produce anxiolytic actions via the GABA receptors ^{4Reference 4Hoffmann · 2003Medical herbalism: The science and practice of herbal medicine}. More research is needed.

Scutellaria baicalensis (Chinese skullcap) is the preferred antiviral species by herbalist Stephen Buhner. He reports the roots are a broad antiviral. The mechanism of action is through hemagglutinin and neuraminidase inhibition — effectively putting a halt to viral replication. Additionally, the extract may prevent viral fusion with cells, offer cytoprotective against viral-initiated cytokines, reduces the expression of the viral matrix protein gene, inhibiting viral release from infected cells, inhibiting viral cytokine cascades, and increases apoptosis of virus infected cells, and finally via direct virucidal actions [2 (Pg. 133)].

Some of these actions can be due to the flavonoids mosloflavone, oroxylin A, and norwogonin, contained within Scutellaria baicalensis. All of these flavonoids purified from skullcap were found to inhibit Coxsackievirus B3 induced cell death. Oroxylin A especially has proven to possess positive effects against viral infection. This chemical was found in particular to reduce viral titers in the pancreas, and decrease inflammatory cytokine levels including IL-6, and TNF-alpha ^{10Reference 10Kwon et al. · 2016AnimalAntiviral Activity of Oroxylin A against Coxsackievirus B3 Alleviates Virus-Induced Acute Pancreatic Damage in MiceView study →} which are both well known to contribute significantly to the cytokine storm associated with the damage viral infection causes ^{2Reference 2Buhner · 2013Herbal antivirals: Natural remedies for emerging resistant and epidemic viral infections}.

Scutellaria baicalensis was also shown to have broad-spectrum antiviral actions in other studies against viruses such as influenza virus through an inhibitory effect against neuraminidase enzyme activity in the virus ^{15Reference 15Hour MJ et al. · 2013Baicalein, Ethyl Acetate, and Chloroform Extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis Inhibit the Neuraminidase Activity of Pandemic 2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Influenza A VirusesView study →}. It has also been shown effective against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) ^{16Reference 16Ma SC et al. · 2002Antiviral Chinese medicinal herbs against respiratory syncytial virus},

Scutellaria baicalensis extracts have been found effective against:

1. Various influenza viruses ^{2,15,23Reference 2Buhner · 2013Herbal antivirals: Natural remedies for emerging resistant and epidemic viral infectionsReference 15Hour MJ et al. · 2013Baicalein, Ethyl Acetate, and Chloroform Extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis Inhibit the Neuraminidase Activity of Pandemic 2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Influenza A VirusesView study →Reference 23Hour et al. · 2013Baicalein, Ethyl Acetate, and Chloroform Extracts ofScutellaria baicalensisInhibit the Neuraminidase Activity of Pandemic 2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Influenza A Viruses.Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013, 1-11. doi:10.1155/2013/750803View study →}
2. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) ^{2,24Reference 2Buhner · 2013Herbal antivirals: Natural remedies for emerging resistant and epidemic viral infectionsReference 24Li et al. · 2000Flavonoid Baicalin Inhibits HIV-1 Infection at the Level of Viral EntryView study →}
3. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) ^{2,16Reference 2Buhner · 2013Herbal antivirals: Natural remedies for emerging resistant and epidemic viral infectionsReference 16Ma SC et al. · 2002Antiviral Chinese medicinal herbs against respiratory syncytial virus}
4. Epstein Barr Virus ^{20Reference 20Braun et al. · 2010Herbs & natural supplements: An evidence-based guide Vol}
5. Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) ^{20Reference 20Braun et al. · 2010Herbs & natural supplements: An evidence-based guide Vol}

Liver fibrosis is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix in the liver parenchyma. It’s associated with the inflammatory and reparative phase of hepatic fibrosis, conducted by activated hepatic stellate cells. ^{5,6Reference 5Parsons CJ et al. · 2007Molecular mechanisms of hepatic fibrogenesisReference 6Yeh et al. · 2016AnimalSan Huang Shel Shin Tang beta-cyclodextrin complex augmented the hepatoprotective effects against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatotoxicity in ratsView study →}. The flavonoids contained in Scutellaria baicalensis was suggested to inhibit TGF-β fibrosis pathway in a Chinese herbal combination (San Huang Shel Shin Tang) which contains Rheum officinale, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Coptis chinensis, all of which contain similar flavonoid components such as baicalein ^{6Reference 6Yeh et al. · 2016AnimalSan Huang Shel Shin Tang beta-cyclodextrin complex augmented the hepatoprotective effects against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatotoxicity in ratsView study →}.

Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) alone has been found in past studies to provide a protective action against acute liver toxicity ^{7,8,9Reference 7Chien CF et al. · 2011Biological analysis of herbal medicines used for the treatment of liver diseasesReference 8Nan JX et al. · 2002AnimalScutellaria baicalensis inhibits liver fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation or carbon tetrachloride in ratsReference 9Ye X et al. · 2009AnimalHepatoprotective effects of Coptidis rhizoma aqueous extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver hepatotoxicity in rats}.