Prolonged periods of anxiety even after the end of stressful situations may lead to anxiety disorders characterized by dizziness, heart palpitations, nightmares and shortness of breath. This may affect the ability of an individual to perform everyday activities. The Anxiety Disorders Association of America reports that these stressful conditions, which include panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, affect about 40 million American adults, with only one-third of the patients receiving treatment that may include medications and psychotherapy. Certain herbs such as skullcap may also help manage the condition naturally.
What Is Skullcap?
Skullcap refers to two herbs: American skullcap and Chinese skullcap.
The roots of the slender and short Chinese skullcap, or Scutellaria baicalensis, plant have been used traditionally in Chinese medicine to treat a variety of conditions, including insomnia, cancer, epilepsy, heart disease, inflammation and anxiety. The herb is available as powder, fluid extract and tea, and contains flavonoids such as wogonin, baicalin and baicalein, which are responsible for its biological activity. Another type of skullcap known as Scutellaria lateriflora, or American skullcap, is a short, highly branched plant. The leaves of this plant possess immense medicinal value and are available as dried herbs, fluid extracts and tinctures.
Link Between Anxiety and Skullcap
The flavonoids of Chinese skullcap can help relieve anxiety by enhancing the activity of certain inhibitory receptors in the central nervous system. However, unlike psychoactive drugs such as benzodiazepines, skullcap supplements do not induce sedation or relax the muscles, according to a study published in the November 2002 issue of the journal "Biochemical Pharmacology." Some animal studies, such as one published in the December 2007 edition of the journal "Phytotherapy Research," have also revealed that Chinese skullcap, when combined with equal amounts of the herb schisandra, or Schizandra chinensis, can help treat anxiety and other stress disorders by preventing changes in the levels of hormones such as corticosterones.
Another study in the February 2006 issue of the German journal "Planta Medica" also demonstrated the potential anxiolytic activity of Chinese skullcap flavonoids. The efficacy of American skullcap in treating anxiety disorders was demonstrated during a study published in the March-April 2003 issue of the journal "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine," where significant anxiolytic activity was observed in healthy subjects.
Side Effects
Skullcap supplements are generally safe to use, although high doses of American skullcap can lead to irregular heartbeat, seizures and mental confusion. Chinese skullcap, on the other hand, may increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Skullcap should not be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Precautions
More research is needed to determine the dose, efficacy and side effects of skullcap in actual clinical cases. Thus, it is important to consult a doctor before using skullcap for treating anxiety disorders to avoid possible drug interactions and adverse reactions. Also, the production and distribution of skullcap supplements is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so try your best to ensure the quality and purity of the product.
References
- Anxiety Disorders Association of America: Facts and Staistics
- "Biochemical Pharmacology"; Anxiolytic Effect of Wogonin, a Benzodiazepine Receptor Ligand Isolated From Scutellaria Baicalensis Georgi.; K.M. Hui, et al.; November 2002
- "Phytotherapy Research"; Schizandra Chinensis and Scutellaria Baicalensis Counter Stress Behaviors in Mice; Seungjoo Le, et al.; December 2007
- "Planta Medica"; Anxiolytic-Like Effect of Baicalin and Its Additivity With Other Anxiolytics; X. Zhiwen, et al.; February 2006
- "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine"; An Investigation Into the Efficacy of Scutellaria Lateriflora in Healthy Volunteers.; P. Wolfson, et al.; March-April 2003
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Skullcap
