Evidence supporting the use of: Skullcap
For the body system: Serotonin

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

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

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly within North American and European herbal practices. It has been primarily used as a nervine, meaning it was believed to calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and support restful sleep. Traditional herbalists sometimes suggested skullcap for "nervous disorders," which could be interpreted in modern terms as mood or anxiety issues, indirectly implicating neurotransmitter systems such as serotonin. However, these historical uses predate detailed knowledge of serotonin or its role in the body. Scientific research on skullcap's direct effects on serotonin is limited. Some preclinical studies have identified that certain flavonoids in skullcap may possess anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) and sedative properties, potentially through interactions with GABA receptors rather than the serotonin system. There is currently insufficient scientific evidence to confirm that skullcap directly modulates serotonin levels or function in humans. Most of the rationale for using skullcap to "support the serotonin body system" comes from traditional usage focused on calming and mood-supportive effects, not from direct serotonin modulation. Thus, its use in this context is supported by tradition more than by modern scientific validation.

More about skullcap
More about Serotonin