Herbalism is a traditional healing practice of using plants, plant extracts and herbs to alleviate and reduce the symptoms of a variety of physical and mental conditions, including anxiety and anxiety disorders. Certain herbs, such as skullcap, may have an anxiety-reducing effect. However, you should not use herbal remedies as a replacement for your doctor's advice. Inform your doctor if you plan to use an herbal supplement such as skullcap.
About Skullcap
While there are two forms of skullcap, American skullcap, or Scutellaria lateriflora, and Chinese skullcap, or Scutellaria baicalensis, only American skullcap appears to have a beneficial effect on anxiety. American skullcap is commonly used in Native American and traditional herbal medicine practices for alleviating anxiety, insomnia and nervous disorders. According to Tufts Medical Center, skullcap is often used for its sedative properties, although almost no clinical studies have fully evaluated these benefits. The leaves of the American skullcap plant are dried for use in making tea. Skullcap can also be used in liquid, powder or tincture form.
Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is a normal response to stress, tension and fear. It's not unusual to experience occasional feelings of anxiety when exposed to stressful or fearful situations. However, if you experience persistent feelings of anxiety even when there is no easily identifiable cause, you may have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias and social anxiety disorder. Although there are different symptoms for each of these disorders, they also share certain features, including feelings of excessive worry, tension, fear, irritability and anxiety, insomnia or difficulty with sleep and appetite changes. While anxiety disorders are often treated with psychotherapy and medication, certain herbal remedies, such as skullcap, may also help.
Clinical Evidence
Although limited clinical evidence exists to support the claim that skullcap is useful for anxiety, a few studies have demonstrated its anxiolytic, or anxiety-reducing effects. One study, published in 2003 in "Phytomedicine," an international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, showed that extracts using Scutellaria lateriflora had an anxiolytic effect on laboratory rats exposed to a elevated plus-maze test. A review published in the July 2010 "British Journal of Wellbeing" states that preliminary clinical evidence supports the claim that skullcap may be a beneficial alternative treatment for anxiety. However, more clinical studies are needed, especially on human subjects, to fully evaluate the benefits of skullcap for anxiety and anxiety disorders.
Considerations
If you think you may have an anxiety disorder, do not attempt to self-diagnose your condition. Consult your doctor or a qualified mental health professional. As with any herbal remedy, inform your doctor if you plan to use skullcap, especially if you take any prescription or over-the-counter medications. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, skullcap can increase the effects of certain sedative medications. Pregnant or breast-feeding women should avoid the use of skullcap.
