BAIKAL SKULLCAP Overview Information
Baikal skullcap (scientific name Scutellaria baicalensis) is a plant. The root is used to make medicine. Common substitutions for Baikal skullcap in Chinese medicine include related plants whose scientific names are Scutellaria viscidula, Scutellaria amonea, and Scutellaria ikoninikovii.
Baikal skullcap is used to treat respiratory infections, hay fever, and fever. It is also used for gastrointestinal (GI) infections, as well as liver problems including viral hepatitis and jaundice.
Some people use Baikal skullcap for HIV/AIDS, kidney infections, pelvic inflammation, and sores or swelling. It is also used for scarlet fever, headache, irritability, red eyes, flushed face, seizures, epilepsy, hysteria, nervous tension, and to relieve a bitter taste in the mouth.
The active ingredient in Baikal skullcap, baicalin, is used in combination with shung hua (ephedra) to treat upper respiratory tract infections. In combination with other herbs, Baikal skullcap is used to treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), prostate cancer, a lung condition called bronchiolitis, arthritis, and hemorrhoids.
Baikal skullcap is also sometimes applied to the skin for psoriasis.
How does it work?
It is thought that the active chemicals in Baikal skullcap might be able to decrease inflammation, stop tumor growth, and prevent tumor cell reproduction.
BAIKAL SKULLCAP Uses & Effectiveness 
Insufficient Evidence for:
- Arthritis. Some research shows that a specific commercial product (Limbrel, Primus Pharmaceuticals) that contains a combination of chemicals from Baikal skullcap and catechu, also known as flavocoxid, might help for arthritis in the knee. But there is not enough good quality research to know how well this product might work.
- Inflammation of small air passages in the lung (bronchiolitis) and other lung infections. Developing research suggests a combination of Baikal skullcap, forsythia, and honeysuckle given intravenously (IV) by a healthcare provider might help children who have bronchiolitis due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection feel better faster.
- Psoriasis. There is one report that an ointment containing Baikal skullcap plus phellodendron and isatis improved psoriasis in an 8-year-old boy.
- Kidney, stomach, and pelvic infections.
- Hay fever.
- Seizures.
- HIV/AIDS.
- Nervous tension.
- Hemorrhoids.
- Prostate cancer.
- Hepatitis.
- Sores or swelling.
- Arthritis.
- Fever.
- Headache.
- Red eyes.
- Flushed face.
- Bitter taste in the mouth.
- Other conditions.
BAIKAL SKULLCAP Side Effects & Safety
Baikal skullcap is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people. It might cause drowsiness. There have been reports of fever and lung inflammation in people who took Baikal skullcap. But there is not enough information to know if Baikal skullcap is the cause of these side effects.
A specific combination product called flavocoxid (Limbrel, Primus Pharmaceuticals) that contains Baikal skullcap was safely used in research studies lasting up to 12 weeks. However, there are concerns that this combination product might cause liver problems in some people. This side effect does not appear to be common and might only occur in people who have a type of allergic reaction to it.
Baikal skullcap is POSSIBLY SAFE in children when given intravenously (IV) by a healthcare provider short-term. An intravenous preparation that includes Baikal skullcap, forsythia, and honeysuckle has been used under medical supervision with apparent safety in children for up to 7 days. Not enough is known about the safety of Baikal skullcap in children when used long-term.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of Baikal skullcap during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Diabetes: Baikal skullcap can affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use Baikal skullcap.
BAIKAL SKULLCAP Interactions
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
- Alcohol interacts with BAIKAL SKULLCAP
Alcohol can cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Baikal skullcap might also cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Taking large amounts of Baikal skullcap along with alcohol might cause too much sleepiness.
- Lithium interacts with BAIKAL SKULLCAP
Baikal skullcap might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking Baikal skullcap might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.
- Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with BAIKAL SKULLCAP
Baikal skullcap might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking Baikal skullcap along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others. - Sedative medications (Benzodiazepines) interacts with BAIKAL SKULLCAP
Baikal skullcap might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness and drowsiness are called sedatives. Taking Baikal skullcap along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.
Some of these sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and others. - Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with BAIKAL SKULLCAP
Baikal skullcap might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking Baikal skullcap along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.
Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others.
Minor Interaction Be watchful with this combination
- Medications used for lowering cholesterol (Statins) interacts with BAIKAL SKULLCAP
Baikal skullcap might change the levels of statins in your blood. But there isn't enough information to know if this is an important interaction. Talk with your healthcare provider before using Baikal skullcap if you are taking medications used for lowering cholesterol.
These medications include atorvastatin (Lipitor), cerivastatin (Baycol), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), and simvastatin (Zocor).
BAIKAL SKULLCAP Dosing
The appropriate dose of Baikal skullcap depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for Baikal skullcap. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
