However, one of its ingredients, scutellarian, appears to work as a sedative and may prevent muscle spasms. No standard dosage of scullcap has been established in the U.S. or Europe. In traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese scullcap is recommended as a tea using between 3-9 grams of dried scullcap root. Baicilin is usually sold in 250mg tablets. In addition to dried scullcap root, many health food stores sell tablets of baicilin.
Some stores sell baicilin extracts, which are either injected or swallowed.
When taken at normal doses, scullcap does not result in any serious side-effects. However, large doses of scullcap may cause liver damage, and baicilin injections may cause fever, muscle pain, and a lowered white blood cell count. Because of a lack of studies into scullcap, the herb should be avoided by pregnant or lactating women. Near You References Foster S. Herbs for Your Health . A User's Guide to Medical Herbalism .