Chinese skullcap is an herb plant that is famous for its amazing health benefits. It is a member of mint family that is rich in nutrients. The nutrients in this plant are very beneficial for reducing oxidative stress in the tissues in your body. Moreover, Chinese skullcap has two compounds that play an important role in healing process.
You may be confused of its names as it has some other names, such as Baikal skullcap, Huang Qin and Scutellaria baicalensis. This is called as Chinese skullcap because it is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicines.
Read Health Benefits of Chinese Watercress Soup and Health Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba Tea to know more about Chinese beneficial dishes and beverages.
Uses of Chinese skullcap roots
As stated before, Chinese skullcap roots have been used since long time ago for Chinese medicines. The medicines are used to heal or solve these following problems:
- Inflammation
- Hepatitis
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Atherosclerosis
- Insomnia
Health benefits of Chinese skullcap roots
Some studies have explored health benefits of Chinese skullcap roots. Some research even suggested this type of herb to treat some health conditions. Here are the health benefits of Chinese skullcap roots:
Preventing memory impairment
When it was tested on mice, some scientists found that oroxylin A (antioxidant in skullcap roots) may help to protect the brain from being impaired, associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Other ways to prevent Alzheimer’s disease are elaborated in Prevent Alzheimer and Dementia for Elderly.
No prostate cancer
Compounds in Chinese skullcap roots may be effective to slow down the growth of prostate cancer cells. It was discovered by a study in 2005 when it was tested on mice.
Anti-cancer
While it was tested in tubes, Chinese skullcap roots were found effective in killing cancerous immune cells of children suffering from leukemia without any harmful effect. Chinese skullcap roots are also beneficial for preventing certain types of cancer cells, such as ovarian, breast, liver, pancreas, leukemia, bladder, and colon cancer.
Surprisingly, Chinese skullcap roots are also effective in preventing the loss of blood cells cause by chemotherapy.
Anti-cancer food can also be found in Benefits of Curcumin.
Fighting bacteria, viruses and fungi
In a traditional way, Chinese skullcap roots are used to treat infections, especially in respiratory system. In test tubes, skullcap roots are found to be rich in antibacterial activity against some types of bacteria, such as E. coli, Staph, Salmonella and Listeria and H. Pylori.
Reducing allergies
Compound wogonin in Chinese skullcap roots are beneficial for reducing the allergic response to mites on skin cells. When it was tested to the skin of mice, it was discovered that skullcap roots reduced the number of allergic response. It decreased the levels of histamine and inflammatory compounds.
Hair loss? No more!
Finasteride in Chinese skullcap roots may be helpful to reverse baldness. Baldness that is mostly caused by a combination of some factors. High levels of DHT and 5-alpha-reductase are effective in preventing or reducing hair loss. read Benefits of Fish Oil For Hair Loss to find another treatment for hair loss.
Help in diabetes
Chinese skullcap roots are quite effective in lowering blood sugar. It reduces oxidative stress and high blood sugar. Though it is effective in lowering blood sugar level, you still need to consult with your doctor about this so that it will be safer for you.
Reducing plaque
Chinese skullcap may be effective in killing dangerous bacteria in your oral area. There was a study that proved in once cell study, the application of skullcap is effective in preventing 8 out of 11 bacteria causing inflammation in the gum.
Cautions
Though Chinese skullcap root is beneficial for treating some health problems, there are some things you need to consider before consuming Chinese skullcap roots.
- Breastfeeding and pregnant women are not suggested to take this Chinese skullcap root. There is not enough reliable information about the safety of Chinese skullcap roots consumption on breastfeeding and pregnant women.
- People suffering from diabetes should not take this skullcap roots. It might lower blood sugar and boost the chance of getting hypoglycemia.
- There are side effects that may appear while consuming Chinese skullcap roots, such as drowsiness.
- Low blood pressure patients are not suggested to take this as Chinese skullcap roots may lower the blood pressure too much.
- People who have just got surgery are not suggested to take Chinese skullcap roots as it will slow down the blood clotting. As a result, it may cause extra bleeding.
From all the benefits that are elaborated, you still need to consult with your doctor to make sure that you get the safe way of consuming Chinese skullcap roots.