Herb Profile
Skullcap
GABAergic.
Last reviewed: •3 human studies cited
C PreliminaryUse extra caution — Hepatotoxicity concerns (rare, unclear causality) Details
- Evidence
- Limited Human Evidence
- Typical onset
- Varies by prep
- Safety rating
- Moderate caution
- Best for
- Sleep, Stress, Cognitive function
- Avoid / review if
- Sedatives, Liver Disease
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Skullcap
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Where to go next — guides & comparisons
Continue reading
- If you want help sleeping → Sleep guides
- If you want help with anxiety or stress → Anxiety & stress guides
- If you want to browse more herbs → All herbs
Safety & Cautions
Hepatotoxicity concerns (rare, unclear causality)
60%
Moderate caution — review before use
Detailed safety fields
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and contraindications
- - Sedatives
- - Liver Disease
Safety classifications
- - Liver-Sensitive: Liver-related caution language appears in the profile.
Full safety note
- - Hepatotoxicity concerns (rare, unclear causality)
Safety labels
- - Liver-Sensitive
Evidence-based safety
Caution when combined
These pairings share a flagged risk mechanism. They are additive-effect cautions derived from contraindication data, not confirmed clinical interactions. Consult a clinician before combining.
Moderate Caution
68 flagged pairingsSedation / CNS depression
Moderate Caution
68 flagged pairingsSedation / CNS depression
Browse the grouped cautions below. The list scrolls inside this card when long.
Sedation / CNS depression
- American Yellow Lotus
- Artemisia Absinthium
- Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
- Bacopa
- Black Seed
- Black Tea
- Blue Lotus
- Calamus
- Catuba
- Celastrus Paniculatus
- Chamomile
- Chinese Skullcap
- Coriandrum Sativum
- Corydalis
- Cymbopogon Citratus
- Damiana
- California Poppy
- Eucalyptus
- Gastrodia
- Glycine
- Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)
- Hops
- Hypericum Perforatum
- Jatamansi
- Jujube
- Lavender
- Lavender
- Lavender Extract
- Lemon balm
- Lemon Balm Extract
- Lemon Verbena
- Lemongrass
- Lobelia Inflata
- Longan
- Magnolia
- Melatonin
- Lemon Balm
- Milk Oats
- Mugwort
- Muira Puama
- Myristica Fragrans
- Nicotiana Glauca
- Nicotiana Tabacum
- Oatstraw
- Ocimum Basilicum
- Parsley
- Passionflower
- Passionflower
- Passionflower Extract
- Passionflower Extract (Standardized)
- Kava
- Polygala
- Poria
- Raspberry Leaf
- Sage
- Schisandra Berry
- Schisandra Chinensis
- Scutellaria Baicalensis
- Shankhpushpi
- Sophora Flavescens
- theanine
- Valeriana officinalis
- Valerian Extract (Standardized)
- Valerian Root Extract
- Valerian
- Verbena Officinalis
- Ashwagandha
- Wormwood
Evidence Summary
Evidence lens
Early signal that needs stronger human replication before practical claims.
PreliminaryLimited Human Evidence
Human clinical evidence: Present in source signals
Mechanistic / preclinical: Mechanism mapped — Neurotransmitter Modulation · Stress Response Modulation
Research maturity: Preliminary or mixed — Long Term Human Evidence May Be Limited.
Safety boundary: Safety note available — Hepatotoxicity concerns (rare, unclear causality)
This profile cites 3 human studies.
How evidence grades work
Each grade reflects the strength and consistency of published human evidence — not marketing claims. Grades are based on study count, design quality, effect size, consistency, and recency.
A
Strong
Multiple RCTs, consistent direction, adequate effect size
B
Moderate
Some RCTs or consistent observational data in humans
C
Preliminary / Mixed
Animal or in-vitro only, or conflicting human data
D
Traditional / Theoretical
Traditional use only; no controlled human trials
Clinical Study Summaries (3)Cited studies informing this profile. RCTs and reviews shown first.
| Study | Type | Sample | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
Herb-induced liver injury: Systematic review and meta-analysis Ballotin VR et al. (2021) | — | — | PubMed → |
Wogonin attenuates septic cardiomyopathy by suppressing ALOX15-mediated ferroptosis Ye H et al. (2025) | — | — | PubMed → |
Insights into skullcap herb-induced liver injury Soldera J et al. (2024) | — | — | PubMed → |
Dosing & Timing
Dose guidance
350 700 mg extract
How Skullcap Works
Simplified mechanism pathway based on preclinical and pharmacological evidence. Does not confirm clinical efficacy.
Mechanism Pathway — How Skullcap Works
CompoundTarget / ReceptorMechanismEffect / Outcome
Mechanisms & Biological Pathways
Preclinical pathways
Proposed mechanisms from in vitro and animal research; these do not confirm clinical outcomes in humans.
Neurotransmitter ModulationStress Response Modulation
Active Compounds
Key constituents studied in Skullcap, with full pharmacology and safety profiles.
Condition guides
Compare & Sourcing
Compare side-by-side tradeoffs or verify active marker guidelines.
Review available sources for Skullcap
Independent database mapping — evaluated separately from safety and efficacy scores.
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Safety first · Harm reduction
This information is educational and not medical advice. Start low, avoid risky combinations, and consult a licensed clinician before making health decisions—especially if you use medications, have diagnosed conditions, or are pregnant/breastfeeding.
Learn how we evaluate confidence, safety, and intensity on the methodology page.
Editorial Review
Checked against primary sources, cited evidence, and contraindication language before publication. Evidence claims, safety language, and affiliate modules are reviewed independently. Not personal medical advice.
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Botanical profile context
How to interpret Skullcap
Skullcap dosage ranges, effects, drug interactions, and harm-reduction safety guide for sleep. Limited Human Evidence research evidence. Use this herb profile as a starting point for evidence review, not as a recommendation to start a new supplement. Botanical products can vary by plant part, extract ratio, standardization, dose, and contaminant testing, so two labels with the same common name may not behave the same way.
When reviewing Skullcap, compare the traditional-use context against the human evidence, mechanism notes, and safety cautions. Pay special attention to pregnancy, breastfeeding, liver or kidney disease, blood-pressure effects, sedation, stimulation, anticoagulant use, antidepressants, and any prescription medication overlap.
For product decisions, prefer transparent labels, named extracts, clear serving sizes, and third-party quality testing. Avoid treating a long list of possible mechanisms as proof that an herb will solve a specific condition.