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Botanical

Baikal skullcap

Baikal skullcap, Scutellaria baicalensis, is a plant of the mint family whose root is used in traditional Chinese medicine. It contains flavonoids such as baicalin.

Also listed as Skullcap, Huang Qin, Scutellariae Radix, Goldenroot

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The liver concern is real, although attribution can be difficult

LiverTox describes cases of liver injury involving Chinese-skullcap products. Mixtures, mislabeling and adulteration complicate some reports, so not every case identifies a single responsible ingredient. They nevertheless prevent a blanket claim of liver safety. 1

Which medicine interactions matter?

Baicalin reduced statin concentrations in healthy volunteers. Laboratory findings also suggest possible interactions with anticoagulants and drug-metabolizing enzymes, but their clinical importance remains uncertain. 2

For information, not individual medical advice. Ingredient studies do not establish the effectiveness of these products.

Sources

  1. Skullcap LiverTox, NIDDK, 2020
  2. Scutellaria baicalensis Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center