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Baikal skullcap (Scutellaria barbata)

background

Baikal skullcap (Scutellaria barbata) is a plant native to southern China and all of Korea. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it is used as an anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and antitumor agent, especially in liver diseases such as hepatitis and liver cancer. In Western herbalism, it is better known as an ingredient in PC-SPES. High quality human study is lacking,
WARNING: PC-SPES HAS BEEN RECALLED FROM THE U.S. MARKET AND SHOULD NOT BE USED.
There is little safety information available from clinical trials using Baikal skullcap. However, BZL101 (an aqueous Baikal skullcap extract) administered short term to patients with advanced breast cancer showed no serious side effects other than nausea, diarrhea, headache, flatulence, vomiting, constipation, and fatigue.

synonyms

Apigenin, baicalin, ban-ji-ryun (Korean), banjiryun (Korean), ban-zhi-lian (Chinese), barbatin A, barbatin B, barbatin C, benzyaldehyde, berberine, carthamidin, flavonoidglycoside, flavonoids, Herba Scutellariae barbatae, hexahydrofarnesylacetone, isocarthamidin, Lamiaceae (family), luteolin, menthol, neo-clerodane diterpenoids, PC-SPES, pheophorbide A, resveratrol, SBJ, scutebarbatine B, scutellarein, Scutelleria baicalensis, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Scutellaria bardata, Scutellaria barbata D. Don, Scutellaria rivularis Wall., scutellarin, wogonin.
Note: Avoid confusion between Baikal skullcap (Scutellaria barbata) and Scutellaria lateriflora, which is known as scullcap.

evidence table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.
Cancer (Grade: C)
Although the outcomes of early studies are promising, high quality clinical studies are needed in this area before a recommendation can be made.