Known to indigenous Americans and early colonial doctors as a treatment for rabies.2,13 Subsequently used to treat a variety of nervous complaints, including “female weakness”,13 insomnia, and epilepsy, including grand mal seizures.5

Herbalists combine skullcap with wood betony for nervous headaches, with valerian, passion flower, and/or kava for anxiety, and with adaptogens (e.g., ginseng) for chronic stress.14 Skullcap was in The United States Pharmacopeia from 1863-1916 and in The National Formulary until 1947.13