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Also known as Chinese Skullcap or Huang-Qin, this herb belonging to the mint family has been widely used in Chinese medicine for over 2000 years, and is increasingly used in the West as a home remedy. Baikal Skullcap is a low growing, short-lived perennial shrub with a slightly scrappy habit. It has narrow, dark green leaves, and attractive purple flowers in summer, which seem generous compared to the size of the shrub. Height to 30cm, spread 50cm.
9cm pot
Photos: Kahikatea Farm
Baikal Skullcap is named for its native region around Lake Baikal in Siberia so it will come as no surprise that it is extremely cold hardy. It is also found in Northern China and Mongolia. It prefers sandy or light, free draining soils, and is fairly drought hardy but ideally should not dry out completely. It dislikes wet feet in winter. Baikal Skullcap enjoys full sun or part shade.
It is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs of Chinese herbalism and is used primarily in treating “hot and damp” conditions such as dysentery and diarrhoea. Recent research has found that the roots contain flavonoids that greatly enhance liver function and also have anti-inflammatory and antiallergenic effects. Its anti-inflammatory properties are exploited for the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions, particularly autoimmune disorders and chronic infections. It is also used to treat allergic conditions such as asthma, eczema, and hay-fever/allergic rhinitis, used as a nerve tonic to calm anxiety, reduces fevers, may reduce the risk of heart disease, may help to fight cancer cells, and may treat epilepsy and calm muscle spasms. The roots should be harvested once the plant has reached 3-4 years old and built up the medicinal compounds.
Primary Actions: Anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic and immune-modulating
Parts Used: root
Energetics: bitter, cooling
N.B. Shipping costs are added AFTER you have placed your order, you will then be emailed an invoice with bank details.
Smallest box rate:
This can fit up to 9 plants in 9cm pots.
Shipping a single tree can be expensive. We may be able to fit more in the box for the same price! See our shipping rates for single and multi tree boxes.
Combining sizes?
No problem, we will work out the best rate for you once you’ve placed your order.
Jo has a passion for growing herbs but is not a qualified herbalist and has no medical background.
We are lucky to have Patricia Beagle working here at times, who is qualified, and some of her advice does appear on these pages, but herbs act differently for different people and can interact with other medicines. We therefore always recommend that you consult with your own qualified health-care practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing or on any medications.
Kahikatea Farm cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants or a plant not having the effect it is reputed to have.
