Scullcap
Scutellaria Lateriflora
Scutellaria is a sedative and tonic nervine. It has a direct action on the cerebro-spinal centers, controls nervous irritation, relieves restlessness and insomnia in fevers and is a diaphoretic.
Scullcap is also known as hoodwort and mad-dog weed to country people and, from time immemorial, has been used by them in teas in feverishness of a child, in hysteria from uterine
102 THOMSONIAN SYSTEM
causes and to induce perspiration, in the last instance generally combined with Pennyroyal tea, In this manner it also has been used successfully in the cramps and severe pain caused by suppressed menstruation due to colds. In hysteria due to ovarian or uterine origin, when given in conjunction with Pennyroyal as a tea, it is decidedly beneficial.
Scullcap is one of the most reliable tonic nervines and best used in the form of an infusion from the herb of the tincture in hot water.
Combined with Capsicum and Hydrastis it cannot be de-placed in weaknesses of the heart:
Scutellaria 1 oz.
Hydrastis 1/2 oz.
Dose 10 to 30 drops in water, 2 to 4 grains of Capsicum to be taken at the same time.
In irritable, nervous conditions, Scutellaria should be combined with:
Tinct. Cypripediutn 1/2 oz.
Tinct. Scutellaria 1 oz.
Dose 10 to 30 drops every 2 to 4 hours in cold water.
The popular name given this agent—madweed or mad-dog weed—is on account of its usefulness in hydrophobia and the bites of poisonous snakes. In these cases, give:
Next Page (99)