Skullcap can actually refer to two very different herbs: American skullcap and Chinese skullcap. Chinese skullcap is the herb typically used to help treat hypertension, or high blood pressure. More research needs to be conducted in humans to establish conclusive evidence for this claim, but animal studies have been promising. If you have high blood pressure, talk to your doctor before consuming skullcap, as it has the potential to interact with medications and cause adverse effects.
Step 1
Choose Chinese skullcap, also known as Scutellaria baicalensis, as opposed to American skullcap. The two herbs, which are used to treat different conditions, are not interchangeable.
Step 2
Steep 3 to 9g of dried skullcap root in 8 oz. of boiling water, then strain and cool the tea. Drugs.com states there is no clinical evidence to provide dosing instructions for this herb.
Step 3
Consume between 1 to 4 mL, three times a day of a skullcap fluid extract that is in a one-to-one ratio with 25 percent alcohol.
