Skullcap
American skullcap is a classic calming ‘nervine’ herb used for nervous tension, racing thoughts, and trouble unwinding at night. It’s not a knockout sedative for most people; it’s more like turning the volume down so your brain stops arguing with itself at 2 AM. It pairs well with lemon balm or passionflower for bedtime blends.
Key Benefits
- Supports calm mood and nervous system settling (supportive)
- Helps with racing thoughts and restlessness (supportive)
- May support sleep quality when tension is the problem (supportive)
- May ease muscle tension tied to stress (supportive)
Common Issues It May Help With
- Stress and nervous tension
- Racing thoughts (supportive)
- Restlessness (supportive)
- Trouble falling asleep (supportive)
How To Use (Simple)
- Tea: steep 1–2 tsp dried herb for 10–15 minutes. Tincture/capsules: follow label directions. Start low if you’re sensitive to calming herbs.
Taste / Notes
Mildly bitter, grassy, earthy.
Evidence Level
Traditional use is strong; modern clinical evidence is limited but supportive for calming effects in some people. Product quality matters.
Cautions
Can cause drowsiness—avoid driving after strong doses. Avoid during pregnancy/breastfeeding due to limited safety data. If you have liver disease, use caution and choose reputable products (rare contamination issues exist in the market).
Interactions
Additive sedation with alcohol, sleep meds, benzodiazepines, opioids, sedating antihistamines If on psychiatric medications, monitor for excessive sedation and consult clinician Separate from other sedatives until you know your response
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