Scutellaria lateriflora, (commonly "blue skullcap", "mad dog skullcap",[2][4] "American skullcap", "side-flowering skullcap", etc.) is a hardy perennialherb of the mint family, Lamiaceae, native to North America.
It has an upright habit, growing 60–80 cm (24–31 inches) in maximum height.[5][6] It is a wetland-loving species and grows near marshes, meadows, and another wet habitat. The blue flowers are just under 1 cm (0.4 inches) long.[5][6] Most of the flowers do not appear at the top of the main stem but are produced along the length of side branches that grow from the leaf axils.
Other skullcaps (Scutellaria) species include common skullcap (S. galericulata), western skullcap (S. canescens), and southern skullcap (S. cordifolia).
One study identified 5,6,7-trihydroxy-2'- methoxyflavone and its 7-O-glucuronide.[11]Scutellarin is a flavone found in S. lateriflora and S. barbata.[12] It is transformed by hydrolysis into scutellarein.
Its extracts are used in herbal medicine intended as a mild sedative and sleep promoter.[10]Cherokee women have used it as an emmenagogue.[15] In 1773, Scutellaria lateriflora became a common treatment in North America for the hysteria and hydrophobia caused by rabies.[16]
^Li J, Ding Y, Li XC, Ferreira D, Khan S, Smillie T, Khan IA (2009). "Scuteflorins A and B, dihydropyranocoumarins from Scutellaria lateriflora". J. Nat. Prod. 72 (6): 983–7. doi:10.1021/np900068t. PMID19555121.
^Analysis of Scutellaria lateriflora and its adulterant Teucrium canadense by HPLC-UV and HPLC-UV/MS, Tom's of Maine, PO Box 710, Kennebunk, ME 04043. USA.
^Bergeron, Chantal; Gafner, Stefan; Clausen, Edgar; Carrier, Danielle J. (2005). "Scutellaria lateriflora Using Accelerated Solvent Extraction and Supercritical Fluid Extraction versus Standard Hot Water or 70% Ethanol Extraction". J. Agric. Food Chem. 53 (8): 3076–3080. doi:10.1021/jf048408t. PMID15826062.
^P.H. and Horhammer, L., Hager's Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, Vols. 2-6, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1969-1979.
^Joshee N, Patrick TS, Mentreddy RS, Yadav AK. 2002. Skullcap: Potential medicinal crop. In: J Janick, A Whipkey (eds). In Trends in New Crops and New Uses. ASHS Press: Alexandria, VA; 580– 586.