Scutellaria lateriflora (American Skullcap) (Scutellaria lateriflora)

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is used primarily as a medicinal herb rather than a nutritional food source, so macronutrient content (protein, fat, carbohydrate) is negligible at typical dosing (1–2 g dried herb or 2–4 mL tincture). Its therapeutic value derives from its bioactive compound profile: Key Flavonoids (primary active constituents): • Baicalin: ~2–6% of dried aerial parts (major glycoside; converted to baicalein by gut microbiota, improving bioavailability) • Baicalein (aglycone): ~0.5–2% of dried herb; higher bioavailability than baicalin; binds GABA-A receptors at the benzodiazepine site • Scutellarein: ~0.3–1.5%; methoxylated flavone with anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activity • Wogonin: ~0.1–0.8%; anxiolytic flavone that also modulates GABA-A receptors • Wogonoside (wogonin-7-glucuronide): ~0.2–1.0% • Lateriflorin: trace amounts; iridoid compound relatively unique to S. lateriflora • Oroxylin A: trace to ~0.3%; cognitive-enhancing flavone • Chrysin: trace amounts; weak GABA-A modulator Other Bioactive Compounds: • Iridoids (catalpol, lateriflorin): trace to low concentrations; contribute to bitter tonic properties • Phenolic acids (caffeic acid, ferulic acid): ~0.1–0.5%; antioxidant activity • Volatile oils (limonene, terpineol, others): trace; contribute to aromatic profile • Tannins: ~2–4% of dried herb; condensed and hydrolyzable types • Lignins and polysaccharides: present in small amounts Minerals (per gram of dried herb, approximate): • Calcium: ~5–12 mg/g • Magnesium: ~2–4 mg/g • Potassium: ~10–20 mg/g • Iron: ~0.05–0.2 mg/g • Zinc: trace • Manganese: trace Vitamins: • Minimal vitamin content at typical medicinal doses; trace amounts of vitamin C and B-complex vitamins typical of leafy aerial plant parts Fiber: • Dried herb contains ~15–25% crude fiber, but given small doses consumed, dietary fiber contribution is negligible Bioavailability Notes: • Baicalin (glycoside) has relatively low oral bioavailability (~2–5%) due to poor intestinal absorption; however, gut microbiota hydrolyze it to baicalein, which is absorbed more readily (bioavailability ~10–20%) • Wogonin and baicalein are lipophilic aglycones with moderate oral bioavailability; absorption is enhanced when taken with small amounts of dietary fat • Tincture (hydroethanolic extract) preparations generally improve extraction and bioavailability of flavonoids compared to simple aqueous infusions • Glucuronidation in the liver is a major metabolic pathway for all key flavonoids, producing conjugates that undergo enterohepatic recirculation, prolonging activity • Concurrent intake with grapefruit juice or other CYP3A4 inhibitors may theoretically increase flavonoid plasma levels, though this has not been clinically studied for skullcap specifically