09/06/2025
Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is a traditional Western herb highly regarded by many clinicians familiar with its use, but generally lacking in modern clinical evidence. Its main documented uses are nervous excitability, restlessness, wakefulness (insomnia), anxiety, physical or mental tiredness, headache, depression, epilepsy and neuralgia. I find it particularly useful for the management of anger and frustration. Unfortunately, Skullcap’s reputation as a nervine tonic has been undermined by its widespread adulteration with other species. Authentic Skullcap contains similar flavonoids to the Baical Skullcap from Chinese medicine, most notably baicalin.
So, a recent study exploring the efficacy and tolerability of a chemically characterised Skullcap extract for sleep management is a welcome development. A single centre, controlled, randomised, crossover, double blind clinical trial enrolled 66 participants with mild to moderate primary insomnia, aged 18 to 70 years. They were randomly allocated into two groups (1:1 allocation ratio) and received either the herbal extract (400 mg/day, standardised to contain 10% baicalin, around 3 to 6 g of original herb) or a placebo for 56 days, separated by a 28-day washout period. It is not clear from the paper what time of day the Skullcap was taken.
Clinical efficacy was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) as the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcomes included sleep-wake cycle parameters (sleep onset latency, sleep efficiency, and total sleep time) and a Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
PSQI is a 19-item self-reporting questionnaire with a score from 0 to 21. A score of more than 5 indicates significant sleep disruption. The Skullcap significantly improved sleep quality as measured by the PSQI questionnaire compared to placebo (p < 0.001). However, the mean reduction in PSQI score did not reach the threshold value of 5, below which sleep can be considered good (it dropped from 13.0 to 9.5 in the herbal group). Skullcap also moderately but significantly improved sleep latency, time asleep and sleep quality. The conclusion from the study was that Skullcap can improve subjective sleep quality in primary insomnia.
For more information see: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/9/1491
