The Baikal Skullcap is a plant of the Yasnotkovye family, or Lips. It is a popular medicinal herb used to make medicinal infusions and decoctions. Funds based on Scutellaria Baikal have a number of beneficial properties and are primarily recommended for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
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What does the Baikal skullcap look like: photo and description
Skullcap Baikal is a herbaceous plant, reaching a height of 35 cm
Skullcap is a herbaceous perennial with a long thick rhizome, straight stems with a light down, and bright green leaves. It has large blue flowers in June. At the end of the summer period, the skullcap ripens fruits, which are small black rounded nuts.
Among the people, the skullcap is known by such names as blue St.
Herbal raw materials can be found in almost any pharmacy
In official medicine, skullcap is not used and it is not included in the State Register of Medicines of the Russian Federation. But the plant has many medicinal properties and is widely used in folk medicine. Dried raw materials suitable for self-preparation of various medicines can be found in pharmacies.
Dietary supplements are made from the roots, leaves and flowers of skullcap
Biologically active additives are made on the basis of underground and aboveground parts of the Baikal skullcap. They can be ordered from online stores. St. John's wort is also widely used in cosmetology and veterinary medicine.
In addition to Scutellaria Baikal, Scutellaria common and Altai are used in folk medicine. All varieties have similar benefits.
The healing properties of the plant
Medicines made from the underground and aboveground parts of blue St. John's wort have beneficial properties such as:
- sedative;
- anticonvulsant;
- fortifying;
- antipyretic;
- choleretic;
- antiseptic;
- antispasmodic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- sedative;
- hemostatic;
- healing;
- expectorant;
- antiparasitic.
The beneficial substances found in the chemical composition of the Baikal skullcap help lower blood pressure and sugar levels.
Indications for use
It is recommended to take funds based on blue St. John's wort for the following diseases:
- diabetes;
- cardiovascular disease (except hypotension);
- ARVI and ARI;
- joint and skin diseases;
- endemic goiter;
- diseases of the nervous system;
- cholecystitis and hepatitis;
- diseases of the genitourinary system;
- bronchial asthma;
- diseases of the stomach and intestines.
With diabetes, decoctions and infusions should be taken in minimal dosages, provided that drugs that lower blood sugar levels are used simultaneously with them.
Decoctions and infusions from Scutellaria Baikal are also effective for chronic insomnia and migraine. They also help relieve the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and menopause.
Contraindications and side effects
Contraindications to the use of any remedies based on blue St. John's wort:
- children under 12 years old;
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- hypotension;
- excess lithium in the body;
- individual intolerance.
Baikal skullcap is considered poisonous and in case of an overdose of drugs based on it, the following side effects may occur:
- significant decrease in pressure;
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- intestinal colic.
If you experience the above symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor. An allergic reaction test is recommended before using topical products. A little decoction or infusion made from blue St. John's wort should be applied to the skin and wait 20-30 minutes. If after this time a rash or redness appears, then the use of the product must be discarded.
It is undesirable to combine the intake of medications based on skullcap with the use of alcoholic beverages and sedatives, as this can lead to drowsiness.
Popular recipes
In the manufacture of medicines, the roots of blue St. John's wort are most often used, but in some recipes the flowers and leaves of this plant are taken as a basis. The following medicines can be prepared from dried parts of skullcap at home:
- water infusion;
- broth;
- tincture;
- means for lotions;
- powder;
- tea.
Infusion
Ingredient List:
- 2 tbsp. l. chopped root;
- 500 ml of boiling water.
Instructions for making infusion:
- Place the raw materials in a thermos.
- Pour boiling water over the rhizomes.
- Let the product brew for 4 hours.
- Filter the resulting infusion.
You need to drink the prepared product in a warm form, 125 ml 2 times a day before meals for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Decoction
Ingredient List:
- 20 g of chopped rhizome;
- 300 ml hot water.
Step-by-step instructions for making an analgesic decoction:
- Pour plant materials into an enamel container.
- Fill the skullcap with water.
- Keep the mixture in a water bath for 30 minutes.
- Remove the agent from heat and strain it after an hour.
It is recommended to drink a ready-made broth for migraine, 65 ml.
Powder
The powder can be prepared immediately after harvesting the roots of blue St. John's wort. The collected rhizomes should be crushed to a powdery state and taken 3 times a day, 0.5 g each for insomnia and diseases of the nervous system.
When crushing roots, it is recommended to wear a respirator so that particles of a poisonous plant do not enter the respiratory tract.
Tincture
Ingredient List:
- 50 g of crushed skullcap roots;
- 250 ml of rubbing alcohol.
Instructions for preparing the tincture:
- Pour the rhizomes into a bottle or dark glass jar.
- Pour blue St. John's wort with alcohol.
- Close the container with a lid.
- Remove the liquid for 2 weeks in a dark place.
- Filter the tincture through cheesecloth.
Drinking such an alcoholic tincture is recommended for diseases of the heart and blood vessels, 20 drops 2 times a day. Before use, you need to dilute the product with a small amount of boiled water.
Ready-made tincture based on Scutellaria baikal is sold in the pharmacy
Ready-to-use tincture can be purchased at the pharmacy.
Means for external use
Ingredient List:
- 1 tbsp. l. crushed rhizomes;
- 250 ml boiling water.
Instructions for preparing a lotion product:
- Mix the ingredients.
- Hold the resulting mixture for 15 minutes in a water bath.
- Filter the broth.
In the resulting liquid, you need to soak gauze and apply it to the affected areas of the skin.
Tea
Ingredient List:
- 2 tbsp. l.crushed leaves and flowers;
- 500 ml of boiling water.
Instructions for making herbal tea:
- Pour raw materials into a thermos.
- Boil the heart herb with boiling water.
- Filter the product after 4 hours.
It is desirable to drink such tea in a warm form, 125 ml 2 times a day before meals. It is recommended for hypertension and nervous disorders. Add honey to taste before use.
Rules for the collection and storage of plant materials
It is recommended to harvest plant raw materials at the end of the summer period. The procedure must be carried out as follows:
- Wear gloves.
- Dig up mature plants with 5–6 stems.
- Shake roots off the ground and cut off shoots.
- Rinse raw materials under cold running water.
- Spread the stems and rhizomes in a thin layer on paper and put them in the attic or under a canopy. Turn them over from time to time.
- Inspect the raw material after it is dry and clean it from rotten parts.
You can store plant materials in paper bags.
It is recommended to store dried blue St. John's wort in glass jars or paper bags for no more than 3 years. High-quality raw materials have a characteristic bitter taste and brownish tint.
Feedback on the results of the use of funds
My friend became irritable while on diets. But when I began to take the Baikal skullcap, I became as calm as a tank. I really liked this story about the miracle of the herb that gives calmness and I also decided to try Shlemnik. I noticed the benefits of it immediately on the same day. I became calmer, my sleep and sleep strength improved, my general nervousness went away. Additionally, Skullcap has a beneficial effect on the work of the heart, and I noticed this property by stabilizing the pulse.
I often use a variety of herbs to improve immunity. This time I bought a Baikal Skullcap. After I brew herbal tea, I divide it into two breakfast / lunch meals before meals. Skullcap is known for its medicinal effect on the body, as well as for its general strengthening effect, therefore I recommend herbal tea of this brand for use.
Another acquisition of mine in attempts to get along with my insomnia is skullcap herb. I bought a dietary supplement made from roots, leaves and flowers. For a better sedative effect, I began to boil or simply brew the contents of two capsules and add to my evening herbal tea. My sleep has become deeper and I do not wake up a hundred times a night, but it does not help me fall asleep quickly, I still suffer for a long time while I fall asleep. In addition to its sedative effect, skullcap is a nootropic. It helps me with headaches, especially when the weather changes.
Video: features of using and harvesting blue St. John's wort
Medicines based on blue St. John's wort are an excellent addition to drug treatment. But before using them, it is advisable to consult a doctor who will help determine the duration of the course and the optimal dosage of a particular medicine.
