Evidence supporting the use of: Skullcap
For the body system: Parasympathetic Nervous System

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Synopsis

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

Skullcap (primarily referring to Scutellaria lateriflora, or American skullcap) has a long history of use in Western herbal medicine as a nervine, meaning it is believed to help calm the nervous system. Traditionally, herbalists have used skullcap to address conditions such as anxiety, nervous tension, and insomnia, which are considered to involve over-activity of the sympathetic nervous system and under-activity of the parasympathetic nervous system. The rationale is that by promoting relaxation and reducing nervous excitement, skullcap supports a shift toward parasympathetic dominance, thereby encouraging “rest and digest” functions.

Although there is a considerable tradition of use, scientific evidence is limited. A few preclinical studies and small-scale human trials have suggested that skullcap extracts may have anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) and mild sedative effects, possibly through modulation of GABAergic activity. However, these findings are preliminary and do not specifically measure parasympathetic nervous system activity. Most clinical research is of low quality, with small sample sizes and methodological limitations. Therefore, while traditional use is robust, modern scientific validation for skullcap’s direct support of the parasympathetic nervous system is lacking.

In summary, skullcap’s use for supporting the parasympathetic nervous system is primarily based on traditional herbal practice, with some suggestive but not definitive scientific data supporting its calming effects on the nervous system.

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