Skullcap

Part Used: herb

Energetics: bitter/cooling/pungent PK- V+ (in excess)

Tissues: plasma, muscle, marrow and nerve

Systems: nervous, circulatory

Actions: nervine, antispasmodic, sedative, alterative

Indications: insomnia, convulsions, tremors, muscular spasms, neuralgia, epilepsy, neurosis, nervous headaches, hypertension, urinary and seminal incontinence, headaches, arthritis

Precautions: high Vata, deficient Vata, severe nerve deficiency

Preparation: infusion (hot or cold), powder (250 mg to 1 g)

SKULLCAP is a good calming herb that has special properties for lowering high Pitta, and for helping reduce the fiery emotions of anger, jealousy and hatred. It calms the heart and dispels excessive desire. It has a sattvic quality and promotes awareness, clarity and detachment. It allays excitability and restores control over deranged sensory and motor functions.

For improving awareness and promoting perception, it can be combined with gotu kola (1 teaspoon each per cup of hot water). As a nerve tonic it can be combined with ashwagandha in proportions of 1 to 4. Skullcap can be combined with bitter herbs like gentian for reducing Pitta.