Chinese Skullcap

[stark404.livejournal.com]

Does anyone have any information about Chinese skullcap? I don't even know what it is, except that my boss has gotten very, very ill the two times she's taken it. (Two different herbal products.) Wikipedia doesn't have anything, but I haven't looked anywhere else, yet. (x-posted to several communities)

Comments

[muppetk.livejournal.com]

I think you mean Scutellaria Baicalensis?

http://tcm.health-info.org/Herbology.Materia.Medica/huangqin-properties.htm
(scroll down past the ads)
Here's another good one:
http://www.herbasin.com/database/huangqin.htm

It's a commonly used herb in chinese medicine, but it's not for everyone. It's definitely not one that should be taken without the supervision of a qualified practitioner of Chinese Herbology. It can be tough on the system, especially if taken incorrectly.

It's used primarily for infectious and or inflamatory sort of things of the upper body or even upper GI tract. If your boss consulted a chinese herbalist, I seriously doubt that she would've recieved this herb on it's own. Most chinese herbs are used in combination. This is one that can be rough on the body if the person tends to run tired or weak or cold, (You know those people who are cold all the time and pile on the sweaters?) or have a weak/slow digestive function.

What did you boss take it for? And where did she get the idea? I know that some chinese herbs are becoming mainstream, but I hadn't thought that was one of them.

(btw, if you're wondering, I'm a licensed acupuncturist and certified chinese herbologist.)

[stark404.livejournal.com]

AHA! A PROFESSIONAL!! I knew I needed to post this question here! Glad to make your acquaintence. Unfortunately, I can't answer any of your questions about why she took it, because she's on leave until Monday. Thank you, thank you, thank you! :))

[muppetk.livejournal.com]

:) I hope that was enough to get you started. Glad I could help.

Kudos from the Community Moderator

[fannyfae]

Thank you very much for stepping in on this question. I love it when communities are self-sustaining. :) It's good to see more professionals on the list.

Re: Kudos from the Community Moderator

[muppetk.livejournal.com]

:) Happy to help. That's one of our herbs that I really don't like to see used unsupervised. Honestly, I don't like seeing most chinese herbs used unsupervised by someone properly trained, (that's how things like ephedra get a bad name) but some are okay. (Ginger, tumeric, & most of the cooking spices I feel okay with.)

Re: Kudos from the Community Moderator

[fannyfae]

Yes, I know about ephedra. I take it for my asthma, and have a formula given to me by a TCM herbalist. I would literally scream at those who abused the herb. It was NEVER intended as a sports enhancement or wieght loss herb, and it has to be formulated or it is way too harsh.

Re: Kudos from the Community Moderator

[muppetk.livejournal.com]

*nod* According to one of my teachers, it also needs to be prepared correctly. Taken in capsules, it causes all that icky speediness. Taken in decoction, the effect seems to be moderated and not cause palpitations, etc.

And SO ditto on the intentions for it's use. It's meant to be used primarily for congested qi (energy) & fluids, (phlegm & tightness in the chest like asthma) & other things we'd call "congested fluids", including various forms of edema. For sports/energy enhancement there's completely different categories of herbs. Sheesh. *muttermutter*stupidcorporations*mutter*