Evidence supporting the use of: Baikal Skullcap
For the health condition: Depression
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Baikal Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), primarily for its purported anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and calming properties. In TCM, it is often used to "clear heat" and "calm the spirit," concepts that sometimes overlap with modern understandings of anxiety and mood disturbances. There are scattered reports of its use for symptoms resembling depression, but this is not one of the primary traditional indications. The main traditional uses are for fever, respiratory infections, and as a general tonic for wellness.
Scientific evidence for Baikal Skullcap specifically targeting depression is limited and preliminary. Some laboratory and animal studies suggest that its main bioactive flavonoids, such as baicalin and baicalein, can modulate neurotransmitter levels (including serotonin and dopamine) and exhibit neuroprotective effects. These findings have led to speculation about potential antidepressant properties. However, robust human clinical trials are lacking, and there is insufficient direct evidence to confirm its efficacy for depression in humans.
In summary, Baikal Skullcap's use for depression is rooted mainly in traditional practice with only early-stage scientific exploration. The evidence base is weak (2/5), with no strong clinical validation at this time.
Other ingredients used for Depression
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)Acetyl L-carnitine
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anchovies
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
Waterhyssop
basil
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
Bifidobacterium longum
black tea
Indian frankincense
bасора
caffeine
Cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
Chinese salvia root
choline
citicoline
clove
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
turmeric
curcumin
damiana
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
folate
gardenia
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
gotu kola
Greek mountain tea
green tea
hemp oil
Indian tinospora
inositol
jujube
krill oil
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
L-carnosine
L-glycine
L-methionine
L-phenylalanine
L-theanine
L-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
lion's mane
lithium orotate
liquid liver fractions
luteolin
maca
magnesium
magnolia
Marine lipid
Matcha
Melatonin
Moringa
Muira puama
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
omega-3 fatty acids
phenolic compounds
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
polygala root
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pregnenolone
protein
butyric acid
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
Rhodiola
rose oil
rosemary
saffron
sage
SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sceletium
selenium
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
Tongkat ali
Almond fruit
Valerian root
velvet bean
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Whey protein
Zinc
suma
gastrodia
Mugwort
alpinia galangal
commiphora
blackboard tree
Caesalpinia crista
peony
lingzhi
lemongrass
kanna
cistanche
dodder
Morinda
royal jelly
polyphenols
trace minerals
St. John's Wort
Yerba mate
cocoa
thyroid substance
star of Bethlehem
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
arginine creatine
Ardisia
Angelica
apigenin
Albizia
Agmatine
Agarwood
Alpha lactalbumin
Asteraceae
Algal protein
aniracetam
Amor seco
betony
Baikal Skullcap
Broussonetia
beta-hydroxybutyrate
biopterin
Butea monosperma
Beef liver
Bacopin
brahmi
Bacopa
bee products
bacoside
baicalin
Black Hellebore
biogenic amine
Camellia sinensis
coconut
caryophyllene
Monkey flower
crocin
Clary sage
catalpol
Codonopsis
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Chinese raisintree
curcumen
Cymbopogon martini
Centella asiatica
chocolate
creatine
Curcuma
cowslip
cannabidiol
Convolvulus prostratus
Convolvulus pluricaulis
cola nut
Canscora
cannabichromene
docosahexaenoic Acid
D-phenylalanine
DHEA
devil\'s club
dopamine
egg
Eicosatetraenoic acid
eicosapentaenoic acid
estrogen
folinic acid
folic acid
flavonoids
fragrant rosewood
fish
fatty acids
fungus
frankincense
guanidinoacetic acid
Ginsenosides
Griffonia simplicifolia
Gypenoside
Glutamate
Glycine
gastrodin
Honokiol
Hypericin
Hellebore
Hypericum
hyperforin
Helicteres isora
hericium mushroom
hemp
isoliquiritigenin
long pepper
icariin
Indian fagonia
inositol phosphate
jasmine
Jatamansi
Kokilaksha
lemon balm
Lebbek
ligustilides
limonene
Lavandin
Lycopodium
Large-leaved linden
little ironweed
lactalbumin
lactoglobulin
linalool
lipids
Methylcobalamin
Marine protein
Milk Protein
Methylxanthine
Mimosa
Meadow sage
Marine fat
magnolol
Mulungu
Mesembrine
Nardostachys
Nigella seed
Nymphaea caerulea
Nymphaea nouchali
Nutmeg
Oroxylum indicum
Onosma bracteatum
Oxindole alkaloids
Osthole
Phosphocreatine
pyrroloquinoline quinone
Phenylethylamine (PEA)
Pulsatilla
Patchouli oil
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
polyunsaturated fat
Piper nigrum
Polygonatum
paeoniflorin
Physalis angulata
poly-thyronine
Phytoestrogens
Polygala
Petiveria
Purple Monkeyflower
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
rue
rosavins
Rosabin
rosmarinic acid
Rubiaceae
rose
Sichuan Lovage
Schizochytrium Oil
Sete sangrias
Spikenard
Scleranthus annus
Salvia
Sensitive Plant
Sulbutiamine
Salmon Oil
Salidroside
Safed musli
Shankhpushpi
Sandalwood
Stereospermum
Shilajit
Safranal
Sarcosine
Sweet Orange alcohol
Terpenoids
Tea
Thymoquinone
Tumerone
Trichilia catigua
Tetrahydropalmatine
Uncaria
Uridine
Vetiver
Vervain
Withanolides
Wogonin
Wulinshen
Walnut
Xanthophyll
Xylaria nigripes
Yuzu
Yerba buena
Yohimbine
Ylang ylang
Zucchini
Zingiberene
Other health conditions supported by Baikal Skullcap
AnxietyAnxiety Disorders
Arthritis
Asthma
Autoimmune Disorders
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Edema
Emphysema
Glands (swollen lymph)
Inflammation
Influenza
Insomnia
Liver Detoxification
Migraine
Pain (general remedies for)
Psoriasis
Rashes and Hives
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Stress
Wounds and Sores