Baikal skullcap, also known as Chinese skullcap, is a different herb than the American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) many are familiar with in herbalism. Generally American skullcap leaves are used in herbal medicine, whereas with baikal skullcap (herein BS) the roots are used! BS roots are large enough for harvesting after two years.
BS is a potent antiviral, which has been popularized in part by Stephen Harrod Buhner in his books “Herbal Antivirals” and “Healing Lyme”. It is a powerful herb for helping to modulate the cytokine cascades which are present in a lyme bacterial infection; a property it shares with Red Sage (Salvia miltiorrhiza). Many people, including myself, first became familiar with the concept of cytokine cascades from COVID.
Like its American counterpart, BS is an herbaceous perennial which naturally likes wetter, sandier and rockier conditions. This makes sense as the roots are substantial, and generally for thick root growth we want the plants to have ample water but we don’t want the water to linger (bronze fennel would be another plant that thrives in these types of conditions). That said, BS is considered drought tolerant, and should do fine in the average garden soil.
BS is a low growing plant 12-18″ high, so a garden context with other low growing plants would be an ideal place for cultivation.
The purple stalks of flowers are notably pretty!
BS is native to the east Asian regions of China, Mongolia, Japan, Korea, Siberia, and Russia. It’s botanical name is a reference to Lake Baikal in Russia, the deepest lake in the world. I often daydream of a simpler life as an old baikal skullcap plant living on the shores of Lake Baikal.
BS likes sun, so try to be generous! Hardy to Zone 5.
