Scutellaria
Scutellaria, commonly known as skullcaps, encompasses a diverse genus of flowering plants prized in traditional medicine. Renowned for their calming properties, various species are utilized to alleviate anxiety, insomnia, and inflammation. These herbaceous perennials offer significant therapeutic potential, bridging ancient herbal wisdom with modern pharmacological research and applications.
- Scientific name: Scutellaria
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales and family Lamiaceae, it is specifically classified under the genus Scutellaria.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lamiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Scutellaria | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Scutellaria, is referred to by various names depending on the regional language and script used. In Simplified Chinese, it is known as 黄芩属 (zh-hans) and 黄芩属 (zh-cn), and it is also identified as 黄芩属 in Singapore (zh-sg). In Traditional Chinese, the name is written as 黃芩屬 (zh-hant), which is the same designation used in Hong Kong (zh-hk).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 黄芩属 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 黃芩屬 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 黃芩屬 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 黄芩属 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 黄芩属 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 黃芩屬 | Wikidata |
| pl | Tarczyca | Wikidata |
| he | קערורית | Wikidata |
| et | Tihashein | Wikidata |
| de | Helmkräuter | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific range of distribution across the northern regions of Europe. In the northernmost reaches, it can be found growing within the territories of Finland and Norway. Its presence also extends to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Additionally, the species is documented to inhabit the landscape of Denmark. Together, these locations define its geographical footprint across Northern Europe.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Scutellaria or skullcap, utilizes its root as a significant component in traditional medicinal practices. The root contains various bioactive compounds that are often harvested and processed for their therapeutic potential. In many herbal formulations, the root is dried and prepared to harness its specific properties, making it a vital part of the plant's overall medicinal profile.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| root | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Scutellaria has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include OTA, baicalein, baicalin, citrinin, norwogonin.
- Total chemicals
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| OTA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| baicalein | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| baicalin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| citrinin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| norwogonin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| scutellarein | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wogonin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Scutellaria has 5 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antitumor, Hepatoprotective, Antiviral, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Scutellaria has 13 reported medicinal uses identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antioxidant, Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus plantarum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Staphylococcus aureus.
- Total uses
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Lactobacillus plantarum | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas fluorescens | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bronchitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dermatitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infections | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |