Constituents: flavones (scutellarin, baicalein, baicalin, wogonin, 5,6,7-trihydroxy-2-methyoxyflavone), flavone glycosides, a flavonone-glycoside, tannin, fat, and sugar.5,6 The flavonoids (flavones, flavone-glycosides, and flavonone-glycoside) have been shown to reduce binding to a serotonin receptor (5-HT7) in the brain albeit at concentrations likely to be beyond the usual therapeutic dose, but they may have an effect on sleeplessness, depression, migraine, pain, and memory loss.6

Studies of isolates from the root of Scutellaria baiclensis, a related herb, show binding of wogonin, baicalein, scutellarin, and baicalin to the benzodiazepine site of the GABAA receptor.7,8 Scutellaria lateriflora has an anxiolytic effect in rats 9. Baicalein has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anxiolytic properties.10

Several investigators in Asia are researching the pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of constituents of the popular Chinese herb, Scutellaria baiclensis; some of these constituents are present in Scutellaria lateriflora.