Skullcap

Skullcap is a component of smoking blends with

alleged psychoactive effects that are offered as a

marijuana substitute (see Cannabis indica). The

herbage formerly was used as a sedative and nerve

tonic and was even prescribed for the treatment of

epilepsy, neuralgia, and sleeplessness. The plant

contains the flavonoid scutellarin, which has

sedative and antispasmodic effects (Foster and Duke 1990, 186*). A species described under the

name Scutellaria arvense is reputed to have

psychoactive or hallucinogenic effects (Schultes

and Hofmann 1980, 367*).