Skullcap Benefits, Uses, Side Effects According to Ayurveda

Metabolic Nature of Skullcap

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.
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COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

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HEAVY

ABOUT HEAVY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.

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TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?
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BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.

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PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

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DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.
Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.
Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.
Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.
The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.
Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.
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PACIFIES

AGGRAVATES

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.
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PACIFIES

CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

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MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

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SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A hot and oily nature with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body makes Sanguine individuals vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

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AGGRAVATES

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A Phlegmatic has a cold and wet metabolic nature. The coldness implies a slow metabolism, the moisture that you are well-nourished. Phlegmatics tend towards sluggishness and thickened fluids, including mucus.

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Other

Moves Energy:

Downward

DOWNWARD

Downward-moving (Adho Gati Marga) substances move food downward in the GI tract, settle the nervous system, and relax muscles.

SEE ALL 'DOWNWARD' FOODS / HERBS

Tissue (dhatu):

Nerves

NERVES

Marrow tissue (Majja Dhatu) includes bone marrow and nervous tissue.

SEE ALL 'NERVES' FOODS / HERBS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Skullcap
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

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Mind, Stress & Sleep:

Nerve Relaxant Grounding

NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING

Encourages feelings of stability and heaviness. Makes you feel settled, mentally relaxed. Mildly sedates the nervous system to ease stress. Can bring a spacey or anxious person back to earth. Reduces agitation, irritation, stress and racing thoughts.

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Neuroprotective

STRONG NEUROPROTECTIVE

Repairs / restores damaged nerves. Protects nerve health.

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Analgesic

ANALGESIC

Pain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne.

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Antidepressant

ANTIDEPRESSANT

Herbs that lift feelings of depression, benefit the mind and improve mental function.

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Anxiolytic

ANXIOLYTIC

Herbs that help people suffering from anxiety or panic. They promote a state of calm and often improve sleep. Most anxiolytic herbs are also nervines.

SEE ALL 'ANXIOLYTIC' FOODS / HERBS

Boosts Gaba

BOOSTS-GABA

GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, reduces nerve excitability. It is the body's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. Thus, it promotes relaxation, calm, and sleep.

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Brain Tonic

BRAIN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens the brain and thereby enhances memory or other cognitive functions and improves mental stamina or stability.

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Nerve Growth Tonic

NERVE-GROWTH-TONIC

Stimulate neurite / axon growth, promotes regeneration.

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Nervine

NERVINE

Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.

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Sedative

SEDATIVE

Sedative herbs create a sense of calm in the mind and body by specifically calming or quieting the nervous system. Excellent for anxiety, stress and chronic pain.

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Energy Vitality:

Tonic

TONIC

A tonic herb restores function through strengthening tissue. This can happen through a combination of nourishing the tissue, and invigorating tissue metabolism. The tonic should not be withering, as in caffeine.

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Immune System:

Antihistamine

Heart & Circulation:

Calms Heart

CALMS-HEART

An herb that literally calms the heart. These herbs are helpful in the treatment of anxiety, sadness, depression, or other emotional imbalances in the heart. Related to the Chinese Herbal Category 'calms spirit.'

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Hypotensive

HYPOTENSIVE

An herb that lowers blood pressure.

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Strength, Muscle Health:

Muscle Relaxant

MUSCLE-RELAXANT

Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma.

SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-RELAXANT' FOODS / HERBS

Antispasmodic

ANTISPASMODIC

Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, heart palpitations, migraine, or IBS.

SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:

Tannins,

Aromatase Inhibitor

AROMATASE-INHIBITOR

Blocks estrogen synthesis by inhibiting conversion of progesterone and testosterone into estrogen.

SEE ALL 'AROMATASE-INHIBITOR' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Skullcap

Lavender

Lavender has these Actions in Common
Sedative, Antispasmodic, Muscle-relaxant, Anxiolytic, Nervine, Analgesic, Boosts-gaba
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Poppy Seed

Poppy Seed has these Actions in Common
Antispasmodic, Muscle-relaxant, Anxiolytic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Analgesic, Calms-heart, Sedative
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Chamomile

Chamomile has these Actions in Common
Boosts-gaba, Sedative, Antispasmodic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Anxiolytic, Nervine, Analgesic
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Nutmeg

Nutmeg has these Actions in Common
Anxiolytic, Nervine, Analgesic, Muscle-relaxant, Sedative, Antispasmodic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding
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Rosemary

Rosemary has these Actions in Common
Analgesic, Brain-tonic, Neuroprotective, Antidepressant, Muscle-relaxant, Antispasmodic, Nervine
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Hemp Seed

Hemp Seed has these Actions in Common
Analgesic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Anxiolytic, Sedative, Muscle-relaxant, Tonic
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Sorghum Flour

Sorghum Flour has these Actions in Common
Anxiolytic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Brain-tonic, Sedative, Antidepressant, Hypotensive
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Ginger (Fresh)

Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in Common
Brain-tonic, Neuroprotective, Analgesic, Hypotensive, Antispasmodic, Nervine
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Almonds

Almonds has these Actions in Common
Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Brain-tonic, Nervine, Muscle-relaxant, Tonic
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Mint

Mint has these Actions in Common
Analgesic, Anxiolytic, Antidepressant, Nervine, Antispasmodic
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Saffron

Saffron has these Actions in Common
Antidepressant, Neuroprotective, Anxiolytic, Sedative, Nervine
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Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Skullcap

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common
Boosts-gaba, Tonic, Brain-tonic, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-growth-tonic, Analgesic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Antidepressant, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Neuroprotective, Anxiolytic, Sedative
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St. John's Wort

St. John's Wort has these Actions in Common
Calms-heart, Nerve-growth-tonic, Analgesic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Antidepressant, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Neuroprotective, Anxiolytic, Tonic, Boosts-gaba, Brain-tonic
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Oats, Fresh Milky Seed

Oats, Fresh Milky Seed has these Actions in Common
Antispasmodic, Sedative, Anxiolytic, Tonic, Brain-tonic, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-growth-tonic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nervine, Antidepressant, Neuroprotective
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Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm has these Actions in Common
Brain-tonic, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-growth-tonic, Analgesic, Nervine, Antidepressant, Neuroprotective, Antispasmodic, Sedative, Anxiolytic, Boosts-gaba
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Passionflower

Passionflower has these Actions in Common
Antidepressant, Sedative, Anxiolytic, Boosts-gaba, Calms-heart, Hypotensive, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Analgesic, Nervine
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California Poppy

California Poppy has these Actions in Common
Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Analgesic, Nervine, Antidepressant, Sedative, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Boosts-gaba, Calms-heart, Muscle-relaxant
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Black Cohosh

Black Cohosh has these Actions in Common
Anxiolytic, Hypotensive, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nervine, Analgesic, Sedative, Antidepressant, Tonic, Antispasmodic
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Tagar (Indian Valerian)

Tagar (Indian Valerian) has these Actions in Common
Hypotensive, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nervine, Analgesic, Sedative, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Boosts-gaba
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Valerian

Valerian has these Actions in Common
Anxiolytic, Boosts-gaba, Hypotensive, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nervine, Analgesic, Sedative, Antispasmodic
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Eleuthero Ginseng

Eleuthero Ginseng has these Actions in Common
Hypotensive, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nervine, Analgesic, Tonic, Antidepressant, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic
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Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)

Table of Contents

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Metabolic Nature of Skullcap

Metabolic Nature

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT HEAVY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

The 6 Tastes

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

The Three Doshas / Body Types

The Four Temperaments / Humors

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Other

DOWNWARD

NERVES

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Skullcap Experiences are Personal Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING

STRONG NEUROPROTECTIVE

ANALGESIC

ANTIDEPRESSANT

ANXIOLYTIC

BOOSTS-GABA

BRAIN-TONIC

NERVE-GROWTH-TONIC

NERVINE

SEDATIVE

TONIC

CALMS-HEART

HYPOTENSIVE

MUSCLE-RELAXANT

ANTISPASMODIC

AROMATASE-INHIBITOR

Foods with a Similar Nature to Skullcap

Lavender has these Actions in Common

Poppy Seed has these Actions in Common

Chamomile has these Actions in Common

Nutmeg has these Actions in Common

Rosemary has these Actions in Common

Hemp Seed has these Actions in Common

Sorghum Flour has these Actions in Common

Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

Almonds has these Actions in Common

Mint has these Actions in Common

Saffron has these Actions in Common

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Skullcap

Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

St. John's Wort has these Actions in Common

Oats, Fresh Milky Seed has these Actions in Common

Lemon Balm has these Actions in Common

Passionflower has these Actions in Common

California Poppy has these Actions in Common

Black Cohosh has these Actions in Common

Tagar (Indian Valerian) has these Actions in Common

Valerian has these Actions in Common

Eleuthero Ginseng has these Actions in Common

Guidelines - Preparation & Dose

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS

Mind, Stress & Sleep

Weight Loss

Reproductive-Health

Skin Care

Bones, Muscles & Tendons

Bowel, Poop Elimination

Diet

Heart, Blood & Circulation

Digestion

CONTRAINDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

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Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Skullcap
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS