Lamiaceae · root
Baikal skullcap
Scutellaria baicalensis
Root mapped as Huang Qin: clears upper-burner heat and Damp-Heat, with baicalein pharmacology that is more than folklore but not a drug claim.
Safety first
Not Western skullcap (S. lateriflora) — different species. Baicalin extracts appear in some modern products; pregnancy avoid in classical heat-clearing high doses. Rare liver-injury reports exist in multiherb products.
Tradition vs trials
Traditional record. Bensky: Huang Qin clears heat, dries damp, and calms the fetus in some classical formulas — that last line is not DIY obstetrics.
Trial literature. Baicalin/baicalein have human pharmacokinetic and some clinical-adjunct files. Pattern mapping remains TCM.
Practical ranges
Educational ranges — not a prescription. Culinary use is not an extract.
root in formulas
Pharmacopoeia ranges often around 3–10 g in formulas
Chinese Pharmacopoeia / Bensky — Educational range only — not a prescription. A licensed clinician individualizes product, dose, and duration.
Pregnancy, nursing, children
- Pregnancy. Classical 'calm the fetus' language is the opposite of clearance — practitioner only.
- Nursing. Insufficient reliable data; avoid unless a clinician directs otherwise.
- Children. Insufficient reliable data; avoid unless a clinician directs otherwise.
Contraindications
- confusion with S. lateriflora
- do not delay biliary obstruction care
Key interactions
- hepatotoxic drugs · note
Multiherb product liver reports; isolate the formula.