Seed – Skullcap Baicalensis

Description

Planting/Growing Baikal Skullcap Discussion:

This is an herb suggested by Dr. Stephen Buhner, as it is a part of his Lyme protocol and he writes about it in many of his books. Some websites claim that this has one of the most spectacular flowers of all the plants in their catalogs!

Skullcap, Scutellaria baicalensis, is a gorgeous plant that is highly sought out for its medicinal value today! It is a perennial that has unique, beautiful, purple flowers that some compare to dolphins diving into water. It is known as “Chinese” or “Baikal” skullcap and it is considered to be the most medicinal species because it has had the most studies.

It makes for a perfect bed plant, as it likes full sun and is very drought-tolerant. I grow it in pots and I can certainly see myself transferring it to hanging baskets, now that it is mature. It grows well in any general garden soil. There is a high demand for its root, which is harvestable in only 2 years time. It is hardy in zones 4-8.

Germination normally takes place within 2-3 weeks and plants should be placed 1 ft. apart. As it grows, it will self-seed, filling in the bed overtime. Spacing plants as they come up may be ideal. The more room that it has, the bigger it may get. As it ages, it will become larger with each year that it survives. It is said that the older the plant is, the higher its seeds’ germination rate may be.

It is hardiest in zones 6-8. Its seeds are normally very viable without stratification but with even a short freeze period, they may do better than without. Therefore, a 1 week stratification is recommended. It may be planted indoors in the late winter as well. 

It grows to approximately 2 ft. x 18 in. It can withstand some frost. It blooms from June to August. Its seeds ripen from the end of June to September. It can grow in general garden soil. It requires full sun and cannot grow to its full potential in the shade. The soil should be frequently watered and it can tolerate some drought, as long as its not extreme. Its flowers are hermaphrodite, which means they have female and male sexual organs). It is pollinated by bees and insects.

It is at its medicinal peak from the end of August to the middle of September.

We carry Baikal Skullcap tinctures, colloidal tinctures, glycerites, herbal tea, loose powder, and capsules, elsewhere on this site. To purchase one, or to read about the possible benefits of Baikal Skullcap, Click Here. 

\Happy Planting!!!