Skullcap: The Quiet One in the Mint Family

Skullcap doesn't get the attention lavender and chamomile do, which is a fair reflection of how it behaves in a blend. It's a background herb, and a good one.

What it is

Scutellaria is a genus of flowering plants in the mint family, running to roughly 350 species. Two turn up in herbal practice with any regularity: American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), native to North America and used by Native American peoples and later by European settlers, and Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis), which has been part of traditional Chinese practice for more than two thousand years.

Taste and smoke

The smoke is gentle and the flavor is earthy, with subtle notes of mint underneath. It's smooth, and it doesn't announce itself. If you're tasting skullcap distinctly in a blend, there's probably too much of it.

What to pair it with

The earthy tone blends widely. Chamomile or lavender for something softer and more floral. Sage or peppermint if you want to sharpen it up and give the blend more edge.

In our blends

Skullcap is in Inner Work, with damiana, lavender, lobelia and mullein, and in Slumber, with lavender, lemon balm, mullein and passion flower.

Inner Work contains lobelia. Not for use during pregnancy or nursing. Avoid combining with nicotine products. Tea Tokes blends are tobacco-free and nicotine-free. 21+.