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Scutellaria baicalensis - Georgi.

Common Name Baikal Skullcap - Huang-Qin
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards Liver toxicity (hepatotoxicity). Unknown effects during pregnancy [301].
Habitats Sandy and rocky places near the sea shore. Sunny, grassy slopes and waste ground from 100 - 2,000 metres above sea level[254].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Scutellaria baicalensis Baikal Skullcap - Huang-Qin


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Doronenko
Scutellaria baicalensis Baikal Skullcap - Huang-Qin
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Doronenko

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Scutellaria baicalensis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in August, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Scutellaria macrantha. Fisch.

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses: Tea

Young leaves - cooked as a vegetable[105, 177, 183]. The whole plant is dried and used as a tea substitute[105, 183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anodyne  Antibacterial  Anticholesterolemic  Antipyretic  Antispasmodic  Astringent  Cancer  Cholagogue  
Diuretic  Dysentery  Expectorant  Febrifuge  Haemostatic  Laxative  Nervine  
Sedative  Stomachic  TB  Tonic  Urinary

Baikal skullcap is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs and is used primarily in treating "hot and damp" conditions such as dysentery and diarrhoea[218, 254]. It has been used medicinally for over 2,000 years and recent research has found that the roots contain flavonoids that greatly enhance liver function and also have anti-inflammatory and antiallergenic effects[238]. The root is anodyne, antibacterial, anticholesterolemic, antipyretic, antispasmodic, astringent, cholagogue, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, haemostatic, laxative, nervine, mildly sedative, stomachic and tonic (for TB)[46, 61, 147, 174, 176, 218, 238]. It reputedly calms the foetus in pregnant women[238]. The root is used internally in the treatment of enteritis, dysentery, diarrhoea, jaundice, chronic hepatitis, urinary tract infections, hypertension, threatened miscarriage, nosebleed and haemorrhage from the lungs or bowel[238]. It is one of the ingredients of the Chinese drug 'injection of three yellow herbs'[238]. The root is harvested in the autumn or spring from plants 3 - 4 years old and is dried for later use[238]. The seed is used to cleanse the bowels of blood and pus[218]. For the treatment of prostate cancer [301].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in a sunny position in any ordinary garden soil that does not dry out during the growing season[200]. Prefers a light well-drained soil in sun or partial shade[238]. This species requires sharp drainage and, once established, is drought tolerant[238]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[238]. A very ornamental plant[1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow outdoors in situ in late spring[200] If there is only a small quantity of seed it is better to sow it in a pot in a cold frame in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring just before new growth begins. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Scutellaria barbataBarbed SkullcapAnnual0.5 -  LMHSNM02 
Scutellaria galericulataCommon Skullcap, Marsh skullcapPerennial0.5 4-8  LMHNM03 
Scutellaria indica Perennial0.3 4-8  LMHNM11 
Scutellaria laterifloraVirginian Skullcap, Blue skullcapPerennial0.6 6-9  LMHNM032

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Georgi.

Botanical References

200266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

harold jitschak bueno de mesquita   Fri Jan 25 2008

MEDICAL NEWS TODAY ABOUT ANTICARCINOGENIC COMPOUND IN Scutellaria baicalensis

Lin   Thu Jul 9 2009

we zhucheng haotian pharm co.,ltd is the largest manufacturer of scutellaria baicalensis extract in the world. we warmly welcome friends from home and abroad to our comany and establish long and happy collaborations.

zhucheng haotian pharm

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