skullcap
Scutellaria lateriflora
---Flavor Profile and Uses
---Identification
---Harvesting Instructions
- Bitter, earthy taste as a tea (therefore it is often mixed with other herbs or taken in tincture form)
- A premiere nervine which acts as a mild sedative, calming the entire nervous system
- Antispasmodic effects and is helpful for treating premenstrual tension and cramping
- Can be taken over long periods of time to strengthen and reinvigorate the nervous system, making it more resilient and strong
- Can also be taken during times of acute stress such as during panic attacks and trauma
- Recommended for people who are recovering from long-term debilitating illnesses
---Identification
- Erect and multi-stemmed, growing 1 - 3' tall from dense rhizome mats
- Leaves are oval or lance shaped, opposite, toothed, and grow from petioles on square stems
- Flowers range from white to violet-blue and grow along the length of the stem
- Name might have come from people thinking the flowers looked like skulls wearing small caps
- Thrives in full sun or partial shade and very moist soil with high organic matter
---Harvesting Instructions
- Best harvested during the early stages of flowering, around late June to early July on dry mornings
- Cut the plants 6 - 8" above the ground, taking care not to break the stem/root crown union - if too much of their mass is harvested, plants could go into early dormancy
- Hang in bundles upside down in an area protected from the elements with good airflow, checking every couple of days
- For small amounts, chop roughly and dry in a single layer on a screen
- Once completely dry, store in an airtight container (preferably with paper or desiccation packets added to absorb moisture and prevent molding over time)
Carpenter, Jeff, and Carpenter, Melanie. The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer. Chelsea Green Publishing, 2015.