Evidence supporting the use of: Baikal Skullcap
For the health condition: Colds (prevention)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Baikal Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine to help prevent and treat colds and other respiratory infections. The root, known as Huang Qin, appears in many classical herbal formulas such as "Yin Qiao San" and "Shuang Huang Lian," which are used for their purported antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immune-supporting properties. Traditionally, Baikal Skullcap is believed to "clear heat" and "dry dampness," which, in Chinese medicine theory, corresponds to alleviating symptoms of fever, sore throat, and respiratory congestion often associated with colds.
Scientific studies have identified active compounds in Baikal Skullcap, such as baicalin and baicalein, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects in vitro. Some laboratory and animal studies suggest potential antiviral activity against certain viruses, but there is insufficient high-quality clinical evidence in humans to confirm its effectiveness for cold prevention or treatment. Most modern use as a cold remedy is rooted in historical and ethnobotanical practice rather than robust scientific validation. Therefore, while its use for colds is well-documented in traditional medicine, the supporting scientific evidence remains preliminary and limited, justifying a moderate-low evidence rating.
Other ingredients used for Colds (prevention)
AbrusAcacia
Agastache
Ajuga
Algae
Allicin
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Allspice
Allyl isothiocyanate
Allyl sulfide
Aloe vera
alpinia galangal
American Liverleaf
Amomum
Amor seco
Andrographis
andrographolide
anthocyanins
apple cider vinegar
arabinogalactan
Aralia
Arani
Ardisia
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
aster root
Asteraceae
astragalus
atractylone
avens
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
bamboo
Baphicacanthus cusia
basil
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
bee products
bermuda grass
berry
beta-glucan
beta-pinene
Bidens pilosa
bioflavonoids
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black cumin
black currant
black galingale
black nightshade
black pepper
black salt
black seed
black tea
blackberry
blackboard tree
blackthorn
Blepharis
borneol
buckthorn
bасора
Camellia sinensis
camu camu
capillary artemisia
capsaicin
capsaicinoids
caterpillar mushroom
cayenne pepper
Celosia
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
Chinese silkvine
chlorella
Chlorophytum
chrysanthemum
cinnamaldehyde
Cinnamomum
cinnamon
Cistus
citron
Citrus
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coconut
coconut milk
colostrum
coriander
costus
cowherb
Curcuminoid
currant
curry leaf
Dianthus
dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/tetraenoic acid isobutylamide
dragonhead
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Elder
elderberry
essential oil blend
eucalyptus
European Elder
European five-finger grass
ferula assafoetida
flavoglycosides
flavonoids
flowering quince
forsythia
fruit
fungus
galactooligosaccharides
Gallesia
gamma-terpinene
garlic
garlic bulb
ginger
Glechoma hederacea
Gnaphalium
goji berry
goldthread
grape
Greek mountain tea
green chiretta
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
heal-all
Hedyotis
Herb Robert
honey
honey loquat syrup
honeysuckle
Horsemint
hyacinth bean
Ilex
Indian tinospora
indigo leaves
iridoids
Isatis
Kokilaksha
labrador tea
Lactobacillus brevis
Laggera pterodonta
Lebbek
lemon
lemongrass
licorice root
Ligusticum
Ligustrum
lime
Litsea
lodhtree
Lomatium
lovage
luffa
mace
mandarin
marigold
Marshmallow
Meadow sage
Melia
Menthol oil
Monoterpenes
Moringa
Mountain Pepper
Mugwort
Mushroom
Mustard
mustard seed
Nardostachys
Natsudaidai
Nettle
nut grass
onion
Onosma bracteatum
Ophiopogon
orange
oregano
oregon grape
Oroxylum indicum
Oxystelma
papaya
Paris polyphylla
paw paw
pear
Pelargonium
peony
Pepper
Petiveria
phenolic compounds
Phenylpropanoids
Physalis angulata
pineapple
Piper nigrum
Piper retrofractum
pistacia integerrima gall
plantain
pollen
pomegranate
Prunus
pumpkin
Pyrrosia
quercetin
reishi mushroom
rhizome
Rooibos
rose hips
rosemary
Rubiaceae
sage
Sagebrush
Salvia
Sambucus nigra
Sandalwood
saponins
sarsaparilla
Scabrous Gentian
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
seaweed
Sesbania
Sesquiterpenes
Sete sangrias
Shogaol
Sichuan Lovage
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sicklepod
siler root
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Solanum indicum
Southern Tsangshu
Sphaeranthus indicus
spruce
squawvine
Sumac
Sweet Annie
sweet flag
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Tea
Terpenoids
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Thiosulfinate
thyme
Thymus
Tremella
Tulbaghia
turmeric
Umckaloabo
vegetable blend (proprietary)
Vervain
Viola
vitamin C
vitamin D
Water Pepper
Waterhyssop
White Tea
Winter Savory
Wulinshen
xanthium (cockleburs)
Yeast
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
Zinc
Zingerone
Zingiberene
Other health conditions supported by Baikal Skullcap
AnxietyAnxiety Disorders
Arthritis
Asthma
Autoimmune Disorders
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Edema
Emphysema
Glands (swollen lymph)
Inflammation
Influenza
Insomnia
Liver Detoxification
Migraine
Pain (general remedies for)
Psoriasis
Rashes and Hives
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Stress
Wounds and Sores
