Skullcap Side Effects: Scutellaria Baicalensis - Baicalin Adverse Effects and Warnings

Skullcap herbal supplements contain the active compound Baicalin, which has a number of well-established health benefits. However, the Chinese Skullcap side effects (also known as Baikal Skullcap) are much less talked about. Baicalin is considered generally safe for use, especially when taken within the recommended dosage range. This article looks further into the potential Baikal Skullcap side effects that people may experience. These are mostly related to potential interactions with medicines and underlying medical disorders. If you have any underlying conditions, please make sure to talk to your doctor before using Scutellaria baicalensis extract supplements. [caption id=""attachment_2383"" align=""alignright"" width=""847""] Chinese Skullcap extracts are known to reduce stress and improve mood along with their health benefits![/caption]

Skullcap Herb Supplements Benefits

The Skullcap benefits are great for anyone who is interested in promoting a healthy mind and body using natural/herbal supplements. For more information about how you can benefit from using Baicalin supplements, check out our blog post on the Top 7 Baicalin Benefits.  

1. Promotion of relaxation

Studies have found that Scutellaria baicalensis extracts are great for producing feelings of calm and relaxation. In fact, many people use Baicalin supplements to help with stress release. Researchers have gone into depth exploring the biochemical mechanisms of the apparent ‘antidepressant-like effects of Baicalin’ (quote taken from the research article).  [1]   [caption id=""attachment_2206"" align=""alignright"" width=""300""] Studies have indicated that Baicalin may help protect your neurons[/caption]

1. Protects your brain

 Researchers have indicated that Baicalin is a powerful natural supplement to help protect your brain from stress. Scientists studied the effects of Baicalin in various animal models of brain trauma and found that the supplement had great benefits in reducing cell death and destroying free radicals (antioxidant effects). [2]      

1. May help with cognitive performance

 Another benefit of Baicalin is its potential to help promote a healthy brain and cognitive performance. A 2001 study found that Baicalin was as effective as a common Nootropic compound – Piracetam – at improving learning and focused attention. [3]  

1. Helps promote a healthy circulatory system

Scientists have found that Baicalin helps to improve the nitric oxide levels in your blood – thereby improving blood flow and improving blood pressure levels.[4] Other studies have indicated that Baicalin may help to reduce the levels of fats in your blood. [5]  

1. Helps your body handle inflammation

Baicalin may also have a powerful benefit of helping your body to fight inflammation by activating the anti-inflammatory effects of macrophages – white blood cells that fight infection. [6]

How to take Chinese Skullcap Extract

[caption id=""attachment_1277"" align=""alignright"" width=""279""] Baicalin from LIftmode, 98+% purity[/caption] There is currently a lack of information about the ideal Baicalin dosage for humans. Most studies that have been conducted on Baicalin so far have been on animals. However, it appears that Baicalin is most effective in a dosage range of around 500mg of root extract. [7] A stronger extract – like a 95+% purity supplement – can be taken at a much lower dosage of around 60-250mg daily. At these doses, you are very unlikely to experience any Baicalin side effects.  

Baicalin Side Effects and Warnings

There are currently very few Baikal Skullcap side effects listed online. Chinese Skullcap has been used for over a thousand years in Traditional Chinese Medicine without complaint of negative adverse effects. Nevertheless, it is important to understand that powerful Skullcap extracts like pure Baicalin can have some strong interactions, specifically for:  

• [caption id=""attachment_1341"" align=""alignright"" width=""200""] Baicalin, extracted from the Chinese skullcap[/caption] Pregnant and breastfeeding women: There is currently not enough data to say for sure whether there are Skullcap side effects for pregnant and breastfeeding women and it should be avoided.

• Children: An intravenous Baikal Skullcap herbal mixture has been used safely in children for up to 7 days. However, it may not be safe for all children, and there is no data about long-term safety.

• People with bleeding disorders: Chinese Skullcap side effects for people with bleeding disorders can be bad since Baicalin has the potential to slow your body’s ability to form blood clots. Avoid Baicalin if you have a bleeding disorder.

• People with diabetes: Should be careful when using Scutellaria baicalensis extracts as it can affect blood sugar levels (by lowering blood sugar).

• [caption id=""attachment_2384"" align=""alignright"" width=""200""] People with low blood pressure should be careful using Skullcap supplements[/caption] People with hormone-sensitive diseases or disorders: There is research that suggests that Baicalin may act in a similar way to estrogen, which can be dangerous for people with hormone-sensitive disorders.

• People with low blood pressure: Chinese Skullcap side effects can include lowered blood pressure, which means that people with hypotension need to be careful when using this dietary supplement.

• People going for surgery: Baicalin can slow blood clotting which can be dangerous when going into surgery. Do not use Chinese Skullcap for at least one week before going into surgery. [8]

Chinese Skullcap Side Effects - Interactions

On the one hand, many people know that Baicalin supplements can be combined with other herbal/natural dietary supplements in a supplement stack for improved benefits. For more information, check out our article on the Top 5 Baicalin Stacks! On the other hand, Baicalin supplements do have a number of interactions with chemical compounds and pharmaceutical agents. This is a list of currently known interactions, but if you are taking any other medication please speak to your doctor before using Baicalin.

• [caption id=""attachment_2385"" align=""alignright"" width=""200""] Alcohol is best avoided when using Baicalin supplements - even 'healthy' drinks![/caption] Alcohol: Alcohol interacts with Baicalin and can cause some serious Skullcap side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, and sleepiness.

• Diabetes medicines: These interact with Baicalin in that they both help to lower your blood sugar. Taking Skullcap supplements with antidiabetic medication could cause your blood pressure to fall too low.

• Sedative medication: Baicalin supplements may interact with sedatives like benzodiazepines and cause strong sedative effects like drowsiness and dizziness. [9]

  For more information, read our article showing people's Baicalin Reviews from around the internet!

Conclusion

[caption id=""attachment_2386"" align=""alignright"" width=""220""] Baikal Skullcap extracts were oringinally used in TCM therapy[/caption] In summary, Baikal Skullcap side effects are important considerations when looking for Baicalin supplements. Although the health benefits of Baicalin are well established and have been known for almost a thousand years, Baicalin side effects are much less talked about. This is because Chinese Skullcap extracts are generally considered to be very safe dietary supplements.   Some Skullcap side effects are possible at higher doses. However, the most important consideration is the potential interactions that can occur with Baicalin supplements. These can occur with a number of medications and pharmaceutical agents.   If you are taking any medication it is important to consult your doctor before starting with a Skullcap supplement regime. Also, if you have any underlying medical condition (especially low blood pressure or diabetes), or are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is very important to talk to your doctor to avoid potential negative Baicalin side effects.          

References:

  [1] K Zhang et al., “Baicalin promotes hippocampal neurogenesis via SGK1- and FKBP5-mediated glucocorticoid receptor phosphorylation in a neuroendocrine mouse model of anxiety/depression”, Sci Rep. 2016 Aug 9;6:3095 [2] F Cheng et al., “Baicalin’s Therapeutic Time Window of Neuroprotection during Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia and Its Antioxidative Effects In Vitro and In Vivo”, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Volume 2013 (2013), Article ID 120261, 11 pages [3] YZ Shang et al., “Improving effects of SSF on memory deficits and pathological changes of neural and immunological systems in senescent mice”, Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2001 Dec;22(12):1078-83. [4] Z Chen et al., “Identification of a nitric oxide generation-stimulative principle in Scutellariae radix”, Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2013;77(3):657-9. Epub 2013 Mar 7. [5] HX Guo et al., “Long-term baicalin administration ameliorates metabolic disorders and hepatic steatosis in rats given a high-fat diet”, Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2009 Nov;30(11):1505-12. [6] BQ Li et al., “The flavonoid baicalin exhibits anti-inflammatory activity by binding to chemokines”, Immunopharmacology. 2000 Sep;49(3):295-306. [7] “Scutellaria baicalensis”, Examine.com, accessed June 13, 2017 [8] “Baikal Skullcap: Side Effects”, WebMD.com, accessed June 13, 2017 [9] “Skullcap”, University of Maryland Medical Center, available online, accessed June 13, 2017