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Baikal skullcap

Baikal skullcap, also known by the scientific name Scutellaria Baicalensis, is a plant whose root is used to make medicine. In Chinese medicine, related plants such as Scutellaria Viscidula, Scutellaria Amonea, and Scutellaria Ikoninikovii are also used as substitutes for Baikal feverfew. Baikal skullcap is used to treat respiratory tract infections, hay fever and fever. It is also used for digestive tract infections and liver problems including viral hepatitis and jaundice. Some people use Baikal skullcap for AIDS/HIV, kidney infections, pelvic inflammation and ulcers or swellings.

In addition, Baikal skullcap is also used for scarlet fever, headaches, irritability, red eyes, redness of the facial skin, seizures, epilepsy, hysteria, nervous tension and to relieve a bitter taste in the mouth. The active ingredient in Baikal skullcap, known as baicalin, is used in combination with ephedra to treat upper respiratory tract infections. In combination with other medicinal plants, Baikal skullcap is used to treat ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), prostate cancer, bronchiolitis, arthritis and hemorrhoids. Baikal skullcap is sometimes applied to the skin to treat psoriasis.

How does Baikal skullcap work?

It is believed that the active chemicals in Baikal skullcap may be able to reduce inflammation, stop tumor growth and prevent tumor cells from dividing.

How effective is Baikal skullcap?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of Baikal skullcap in treating the following conditions:

  • Arthritis: some research shows that a specific commercial product containing a combination of chemicals from Baikal skullcap and catechu acacia may help with arthritis in the knee. However, there is not enough high quality research to say how well this product might work.
  • Inflammation of the bronchi and other lung infections: New research suggests that a combination of Baikal skullcap, forsythia and red ackelei when given intravenously by a doctor could help children suffering from bronchitis due to a viral infection to feel better more quickly.
  • Psoriasis: There is a report that an ointment containing Baikal skullcap, philodendron and woad was able to reduce the symptoms of psoriasis in an 8-year-old boy.

There is also insufficient scientific data on the effectiveness of Baikal skullcap for kidney, stomach and pelvic inflammation, hay fever, seizures, HIV/AIDS, nervous tension, hemorrhoids, prostate cancer, hepatitis, ulcers or swelling, fever, headaches, red eyes, redness of the face and a bitter taste in the mouth. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of Baikal skullcap in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Baikal skullcap may be safe and harmless for most people. Baikal skullcap may cause drowsiness and dizziness. There have also been reports of fever and pneumonia in people who have used Baikal skullcap. However, there is not enough information to know whether Baikal skullcap was the cause of these side effects. A specific combination product called Flavocoxid (Limbrel, Primus Pharmaceuticals), which contains Baikal skullcap, has been shown to be safe in research studies lasting up to 12 weeks. However, there are concerns that this combination product may cause liver problems in some people.

This side effect does not appear to be widespread and probably only occurs in people who have a specific type of allergic reaction. Baikal skullcap may be safe for children when administered intravenously by a doctor over a short period of time. An intravenous preparation containing Baikal skullcap, forsythia and red ackelei has been administered to children under medical supervision for up to 7 days without any problems. However, not enough is known about the safety of long-term use of Baikal skullcap in children.

Precautions and warnings

  • Pregnancy and lactation: Not enough is known about the use of Baikal skullcap during pregnancy and lactation. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid Baikal skullcap to be on the safe side.
  • Diabetes: Baikal skullcap can affect blood sugar levels. For this reason, you should watch out for signs of hypoglycemia and carefully monitor your blood sugar levels if you suffer from diabetes and use Baikal skullcap.

Interactions with medication

Care should be taken when combining Baikal skullcap with the following medications and active ingredients:

Alcohol

Alcohol can cause drowsiness and dizziness. Baikal skullcap can also cause drowsiness and dizziness. Taking large amounts of Baikal skullcap in combination with alcohol can cause excessive drowsiness.

Lithium

Baikal skullcap may have a dehydrating effect. Taking Baikal skullcap can impair the excretion of lithium by the body, which could result in increased lithium levels and serious side effects. For this reason, it is important to consult your doctor before using Baikal skullcap if you are taking lithium. The lithium dosage may need to be adjusted.

Diabetes medication

Baikal skullcap may lower blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar levels. Taking Baikal skullcap in combination with diabetes medication could result in an excessive drop in blood sugar levels. For this reason, blood sugar levels should be carefully monitored. It is possible that the dosage of diabetes medication may need to be adjusted.

Sedatives (benzodiazepines and CNS suppressants)

Baikal skullcap can cause drowsiness and dizziness. Drugs that cause drowsiness and dizziness are called sedatives. Taking Baikal skullcap in combination with sedatives could increase drowsiness too much.

Medications to reduce cholesterol levels that contain statins

Baikal skullcap could alter the levels of statins in the blood. However, there is not enough information to say whether this is an important interaction. You should therefore talk to your doctor before using Baikal skullcap if you are taking medication to lower your cholesterol levels.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of Baikal skullcap depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for Baikal skullcap. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

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