Baikal Skullcap - Huang-Qin
Scutellaria baicalensis

Family: Lamiaceae or Labiatae

What it is like

Scutellaria baicalensis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in August, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 0.3

Where it is found

Sandy and rocky places near the sea shore. Sunny, grassy slopes and waste ground from 100 - 2,000 metres above sea level.

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Young leaves - cooked as a vegetable. The whole plant is dried and used as a tea substitute.

Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicine

Rating: 3

Baikal skullcap is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs and is used primarily in treating "hot and damp" conditions such as dysentery and diarrhoea. It has been used medicinally for over 2,000 years and recent research has found that the roots contain flavonoids that greatly enhance liver function and also have anti-inflammatory and antiallergenic effects. The root is anodyne, antibacterial, anticholesterolemic, antipyretic, antispasmodic, astringent, cholagogue, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, haemostatic, laxative, nervine, mildly sedative, stomachic and tonic (for TB). It reputedly calms the foetus in pregnant women. The root is used internally in the treatment of enteritis, dysentery, diarrhoea, jaundice, chronic hepatitis, urinary tract infections, hypertension, threatened miscarriage, nosebleed and haemorrhage from the lungs or bowel. It is one of the ingredients of the Chinese drug 'injection of three yellow herbs'. The root is harvested in the autumn or spring from plants 3 - 4 years old and is dried for later use. The seed is used to cleanse the bowels of blood and pus. For the treatment of prostate cancer .

Anodyne: Relieves pain, it is milder than an analgesic.

Antibacterial: Kills bacteria.

Anticholesterolemic: Prevents the build up of cholesterol.

Antipyretic: Treats fevers. See Febrifuge.

Antispasmodic: Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Cancer: Used in the treatment of cancer.

Cholagogue: Increases the flow of bile and its discharge from the body.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.

Expectorant: Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Haemostatic: Controls internal bleeding.

Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.

Nervine: Stimulates and calms the nerves.

Sedative: Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.

Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.

TB: Plants used in the treatment of tuberculosis

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Urinary: Treats urinary problems, including urinary tract infection (UTI).

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Succeeds in a sunny position in any ordinary garden soil that does not dry out during the growing season. Prefers a light well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. This species requires sharp drainage and, once established, is drought tolerant. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c. A very ornamental plant.

Propagating it: Seed - sow outdoors in situ in late spring If there is only a small quantity of seed it is better to sow it in a pot in a cold frame in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring just before new growth begins. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Liver toxicity (hepatotoxicity). Unknown effects during pregnancy .

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Scutellaria macrantha. Fisch.