Evidence supporting the use of: Barbed Skullcap
For the health condition: Anxiety Disorders

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Barbed Skullcap (Scutellaria barbata) has a history of use in traditional Chinese medicine, but it is most commonly used for its purported anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties. However, the related species, Scutellaria lateriflora (American skullcap), is the one traditionally used to support relaxation and relieve anxiety in North American herbal medicine. There is little historical documentation suggesting S. barbata was specifically used to treat anxiety disorders in traditional Chinese medicine, but herbalists sometimes generalize the effects of various skullcap species.

Most clinical and preclinical research on anxiety-relieving effects focuses on S. lateriflora, not S. barbata. Some laboratory studies indicate that skullcap extracts may have mild anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects, possibly related to modulation of GABAergic neurotransmission, but these findings are not robustly established for S. barbata. Overall, the use of Barbed Skullcap for anxiety is primarily based on traditional beliefs about the broader genus and not on strong scientific validation. The evidence supporting its use for anxiety is limited, and further research is needed to clarify its potential role in treating anxiety disorders.

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