Skullcap  Scutellaria lateriflora

Skullcap has that basic mint look– opposite leaves on a square stem, but it’s one of the family members without much of a scent. The small pink-purple flowers arise from the juncture of where the stem of the leaf connects with the main stem (the axil). And if you look closely at the tiny flowers you will see how the plant gets its name, the flower really does look like a skull wearing a cap!

Seed-Starting: Skullcap is easy to grow from seed, just be sure that the seed doesn’t dry out. They can be erratic to sprout and will do much better with cold stratification. So plant them in February when the weather can lend a hand. Or start your flats as you normally would but then let them sit in the fridge for a few weeks before moving outside.

Site: Skullcap likes to grow on the banks of streams or appear in the margins of receding lakes. In other words, they like wet places with fertile soil. So for most of the year they do fine, but when we reach the dry season, they’d do best with twice a week deep watering – so that ¼ inch  below the surface of the soil feels wet. It can also help to plant them in a place where they don’t get the hot desiccating afternoon sun to maintain moisture. Just be sure that they are getting at least six hours of direct light. This year I am experimenting with growing them in rain gardens!

Harvest: It is the aerial parts of skullcap that we are after. Simply cut the stem of the plant directly above a pair of opposite leaves, as close to the leaves as possible without cutting into the juncture. And remember angled cuts are better at allowing moisture and pathogens to run off the plant instead of into the plant. Also be sure to leave at least four pairs of stem leaves so that the plant can continue to photosynthesis and store up reserves for next season

Medicine: “A sure treatment for almost any nervous system disorder, from insomnia to fear to nervous headaches” says Michael Moore. I would also add for over sensitivity – a bug bites that keeps one up at night, if things seem too bright, or too intense.  Skullcap is the nerve tonic in my book. While it generally works for all those instances when one needs to bring it down a notch, it is also awesome at bringing the body back to homeostasis when it has been running on high alert for too long. Picture capitalist America. And if you need a good night’s sleep try out some dried skullcap in tea. In this form it tends to be much more sedative.