The benefits of Barbed skullcap (Scutellaria Barbata)

S.barbata is also known as “Ban zhi lian” in China. It is an essential species belonging to the family Lamiaceae. S. barbata is a perennial erect herb that grows up to 50 cm tall. It is widely distributed on the Asian continent in southern China, northeastern India, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and Korea. The entire plant is cut close to the ground, then bundled and dried in the sun or shade. The dried whole herb of S.barbata represents its medicinal part. In traditional Chinese medicine, S.barbata has long been used for heat-clearing and detoxification. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that S. barbata has many biological activities, including anticancer, anti-inflammation, and antimicrobial activities.

Benefits of Scutellaria barbata

• Anticancer: Scutellaria barbata has been shown to have anticancer properties, particularly in treating liver, lung, and breast cancer.
• Anti-inflammatory: The herb has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to reduce inflammation in the body and alleviate symptoms of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.
• Antimicrobial: Scutellaria barbata contains compounds that have been shown to have antimicrobial effects, which may help to fight against bacteria and viruses.
• Digestive Health: The herb has improved digestive function and alleviated symptoms such as bloating, indigestion, and diarrhea.
• Cardiovascular Health: Scutellaria barbata has been shown to have cardioprotective effects, which may help to improve heart function and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Liver Health: The herb has been used to support liver function and protect against liver damage.

References

A review of the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and quality control of Scutellaria barbata D. Don – PubMed (nih.gov)

Scutellaria Barbata is written in the book Medicinal plants and animals to produce drugs in Vietnam.