You can see why it is called Skullcap.
These are the flowering heads of our native Skullcap variety. I took these photos over a month ago when the plant was in full bloom. This is also the stage at which I tinctured it. I also left a lot of the flowers present to go to seed so I can spread the seed in other places around the property as well. Sustainably harvest!
A few months ago I shared an intention to walk through some of my favorite herbal anxiety supports. I listed some of my favorites and I 'm going to dig into one today with you: Skullcap. I had such positive feedback, so many of you saying #ihaveanxietytoo and I can't wait to learn more about these herbal allies.
Our native variety of Skullcap
@naturalmedicine is hosting the second half of its Share A Natural Remedy Challenge and I wanted to dig right in and share a remedy (click the link to read more of the amazing remedies from the first week.)I am also a part of the 
In the spirit of talking more about taboo subjects like having anxiety, I am creating the hashtag and asking you, dear reader, to share what works for you to lessen or work with your anxiety.
#ihaveanxiety too is created for all of us:
I will reward the top 3 posts with Steem (and make it worth your while with 3 Steem a piece!)
You have a fortnight (until September 12th) to use the hashtag (please use it first). I'm hoping to hear some great tips and resources from each of you!
This week I want to share a bit about Skullcap or the Scutellaria genus (in the mint family). My experience with this plant is through a patch that I found on our land.
As soon as I identified the helmet-shaped flowers and took a bite of a bitter leaf, I made a tincture out of it (the herb and aerial parts submerged in an alcohol solution for 6 week or more and then strained). That batch went quickly- I definitely have an affinity for this plant.
This is something I want to talk about briefly. Each plant wont work the same way for everyone. While skullcap greatly alleviates my experience of anxiety, it doesn't affect everyone in the same way. Keep this in mind if seeking to use herbs as anxiety supports.
For me, I feel the effects of skullcap nearly immediately. It has a gentle (which I prefer) connection with the nervous system, that at-times flighty bird that can beat your heart out of your chest. I find skullcap alleviates my physical symptoms of anxiety by calming me and reminding me to breathe (much like I experienced a CBD oil I tried recently) and at this point, I can be more aware of the experience of anxiety and not so caught up in it. Herbal supports are just that- supports- and not the answer. You are the answer and these are our allies in supporting us to touch base with ourselves.
When I am in an agitated state or just want to calm down, a couple dropperfulls of skullcap tincture works like a charm.
In fact, this "anxiolytic activity" (fancy for anti-anxiety) is demonstrated through this study: Phytochemical and biological analysis of skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora L.): a medicinal plant with anxiolytic properties
These compounds may play a role in anxiolytic activity since baicalin and baicalein are known to bind to the benzodiazepine site of the GABAA receptor and since GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter.
Skullcap literally makes your brain less anxious!
A lot of this is thought to come from Baicalin, a flavanoid found in Skullcap, which you can read more about here. This flavonoid actually inhibits the activity of neurons that cause anxiety! It seems people are isolating it and while this works, I am a huge proponent of whole-plant medicine instead of isolating the constituents that science has deemed the active ones. Plants work together as whole parts and I believe they're more effective when used as a whole and not isolated!
...And as such can also work for you if you have trouble sleeping. Unlike valerian, it is safer to use for longish periods of time. But again, it's best used as a support and not for total dependence. There have been times when I have had trouble sleeping, take a bit of the skullcap tincture and literally conk out after that. It is potent stuff and before the Age of pharmaceutical anxiety meds, Skullcap was the go-to.
This said, I have found that lesser doses don't necessary make me feel sleepy/drowsy, but have a general calming effect on my entire system.
Sometimes my anxiety manifests in the form of generalized nervousness. It's a nervous system response and sometimes doesn't even have a reason underpinning the experience (though often it does.) I experience it as a racing mind, quickened heart rate, worry, scattered thoughts. Along with making sure I am hydrated, fed, and resting if I need to take a moment, I find that herbal allies are great in these moments of nervous tension. Meditation and deep breathing work well too.
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