Skullcap
Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is a primary nervine in several western herbal traditions.
Skullcap is a nourishing, bitter nervine. It has an affinity for anxious, stressed out folks. It may help you fall asleep and stay asleep.
Skullcap works hard for people who experience insomnia, particularly if it has an emotional element.
NIGHT LIGHT: Our skullcap-forward tincture to help you hit the sheets, and find the rest that’s right for you.
When you struggle to let your dreams heal your mind, Skullcap is there. When you need to get to the root of your own crossed patterns, Skullcap is there.
Some herbalists call skullcap "the best nervine." Ideally, one would work with this powerful herb over a long period of time. That's the way to see the impact most profoundly.
Skullcap has made a major difference in my relationship to dreams as someone with CPTSD. I recommend Skullcap (especially with the help of a clinical herbalist) after the shock of the trauma has passed, and daily life has resumed.
This is sometimes when a trauma gets stuck in the mind and body. It can manifest itself as racing thoughts, big fears, unusual actions and interactions.
If you've found yourself asking "why the fuck do I keep doing that?" If you've found that after asking, you haven't a clue about the answer, consider Skullcap.
As I insinuated above, in my estimation there are better herbs to get you through acute trauma. I find that passionflower or valerian provide a more neutral landing place.
Yet what's rough in my experience of CPTSD is that even after years of therapy, it's still my responsibility to identify and be kind to my triggers, my traumatized self. Even worse is how that trauma and the injury it created in my brain changes my dreams.
I'm a true dreamer. I always have been. It's a bloodline gift.
I rely upon my dreams to alert me to danger or opportunity, and prepare me for my day. My dream life is also the primary site for the trauma my waking life won't allow me to process. I didn't get a choice in that.
Skullcap can bring some of these themes to the surface, and can take the edge off of them. Skullcap dreams can be weird; skullcap dreams can be healing.
They've given me opportunities to rewrite ancient narratives about myself, confront lifelong bullies, and literally see my own face. I'm eternally grateful for its processing power; it's transformed my waking life.
There's some evidence that it may bring hope to a social issue associated with trauma: addiction.
Skullcap could lessen D.T.s in folks withdrawing from alcohol. Some sources also said it may help ease nerve pain, and even regenerate nerve endings in the brain.
Burdett and Granger write in Dirt Gems "Skullcap is the fragrance you can't detect, but drives you forward in the quietest parts of yourself."
Common Name: Skullcap
Latin Name: Scutellaria lateriflora
Nicknames: Mad dog Skullcap, blue skullcap, side-flowering scullcap
Region: native to North America
Family: Lamiaceae
What it likes to work with/around
sleeplessness, headaches at the base of the head/neck, nerve pain, digestion
Who shouldn't work with it
people who take SSRIs, anti-depressants, and anti-anxiety medication, pregnant people.
Methods of Preparation
Tea (steep 20-40 mins, covered)
Tincture
Glycerite
Additional Citations
A Background Search on the Potential Role of Scutellaria and Its Essential Oils
Read More
Hey, I’m Cyrée
I’m a rootworker, diviner, and clinical herbalist. I believe that spirit work is an essential part of all movements for justice. I hope you’ll take a look around, there are plenty of opportunities here to deepen your connection with your gifts (with my guidance.)
