Scutellaria Baicalensis Huang Qin

Pinyin: Huang Qin Latin: Scutellaria Baicalensis

Common Names

Baikal Skullcap, Huang Qin, Mad Dog Herb, Helmet Flower, Hoodwort, Quaker Bonnet, Ou Gon

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.3m by 0.3m. It is hardy to zone 5. It is in flower in August, and the seeds ripen in September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil.

Family

Labiatae

Edible Uses*

Edible Parts: Leaves. Edible Uses: Tea. Young leaves - cooked as a vegetable. The whole plant is dried and used as a tea substitute.*

Traditional Chinese Medicinal (TCM) Uses*

Anodyne; Antibacterial; Anticholesterolemic; Antipyretic; Antispasmodic; Astringent; Cholagogue; Diuretic; Expectorant; Febrifuge; Haemostatic; Laxative; Nervine; Sedative; Stomachic; TB; Tonic. 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 diarrhea. 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. The root is anodyne, antibacterial, anticholesterolemic, antipyretic, antispasmodic, astringent, cholagogue, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, haemostatic, laxative, nervine, mildly sedative, stomachic and tonic (for TB). It reputedly calms the foetus in pregnant women. 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. It is one of the ingredients of the Chinese drug 'injection of three yellow herbs'. The root is harvested in the autumn or spring from plants 3 - 4 years old and is dried for later use. The seed is used to cleanse the bowels of blood and pus.*

Other purported uses: Atherosclerosis, Cancer treatment, Epilepsy, Hepatitis, Infections, Inflammation, Insomnia.*

References

Sources: Scutellaria Baicalensis Plants for a Future
Scutellaria Baicalensis Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

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