Barbat Skullcap - Scutellaria barbata

Detailed Description

This herb boasts a long-standing history, primarily used in the treatment of various cancers.

Botanical Information

Barbat Skullcap is a perennial herb that typically reaches 35 centimeters in height but can exceed 50 centimeters in some cases. The stem is smooth to fibrous, very thin, with a square cross-section, exhibiting deep purple to brownish-green coloration. The root hairs are extremely fine. Leaves are opposite, with short petioles, serrated margins, and tend to be narrow-lanceolate (sometimes more triangular), measuring about 3 centimeters long and 0.5–1.0 centimeters wide. Leaves at the base are more gray-green, while those positioned higher on the plant are a darker shade of green.

The flowers are bisexual, growing singly along the stem on short stalks, and have very small, glabrous (hairless) petal corollas. Flowering occurs from April to July. The petals are light blue to pink, sometimes slightly purple, hairy, and up to 1 cm long. The fruit of Barbat Skullcap appears from late July to early September, is oval, nearly scentless, slightly bitter, and light brown.

Origin and Distribution

Barbat Skullcap originates in southeastern China where it has been used for generations to treat many diseases. From China, its use expanded into traditional folk medicine in Korea and parts of Vietnam. Today, the plant is widely cultivated in Japan, China, and Korea. Barbat Skullcap prefers moist habitats such as marshes and can also be found along streams or rivers. In human-made environments, it is most commonly grown in rice paddies.

Usage / Dosage

Barbat Skullcap is a favored herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine, used either in mixtures or alone (depending on the patient's condition) for body detoxification, regeneration of internal organ mucosa, and reduction of swelling, particularly in the lower limbs. From a traditional medicine perspective, Barbat Skullcap is pungent, bitter, naturally cooling, and influences the lung, liver, and kidney meridians. Its primary function is to clear heat—having actions against poisoning, eliminating blood stagnation, and promoting diuresis (fluid elimination). It is thus mainly indicated for febrile infections, poisonous snake bites, traumatic injuries, edema, and liver inflammation with possible jaundice.

Modern science currently investigates the potential of Barbat Skullcap compounds to suppress tumor and metastasis growth. Notable constituents include pheophorbide (tested in photodynamic cancer therapy), specific diterpenoid alkaloids (tested for their ability to kill tumor cells), and polysaccharides unique to the herb (tested for their ability to halt uncontrolled growth and block blood supply formation to tumor masses).

In Traditional Chinese and Korean folk medicine, Barbat Skullcap is primarily used for overall body cleansing and detoxification, as a diuretic, for treating bacterial infections, regenerating mouth and throat mucosa, treating tonsillitis, various types of hepatitis, certain cancers, and reducing swelling. Healers often refer to small studies that suggest a degree of benefit in patients with diagnosed breast cancer taking regular Barbat Skullcap extract.

Much attention since 2002 has focused on the compound scutellarin, present in Barbat Skullcap and other herbs. Its effects on the human body are broad: three independent laboratory studies confirm that scutellarin acts as a flavonoid with strong direct antioxidant activity and increases the cells' natural antioxidant capacity (an indirect effect). Scutellarin appears to protect against oxidative stress. It also likely protects neuronal protein coverings at synapses—possibly through anti-inflammatory action in microglia (neuroprotective effect)—interacts with serotonin receptors, shields neurons and cardiac cells from ischemia, blocks myocardial tissue fibrosis, may induce hypertension in brain arteries during dilation, and protects brain cells from beta-amyloid effects. In traditional herbal medicine, Barbat Skullcap is also used to treat inflammation and physical trauma.

In 2004, it was discovered that scutellarin could act as an antidote for selenium poisoning in adults. Since then, further testing has expanded, including positive evidence for preventive protection against acute lung damage, and slight reduction of hypercholesterolemia induced by a fatty diet. Research also notes that scutellarin may inhibit certain cytochrome P450 enzymes, so it is wise to consult a physician or pharmacist about possible interactions with other medications.

Scutellarin may also inhibit the proteasome, a molecule responsible for protein breakdown (as an enzymatic trigger for proteolysis), induces targeted cell death (apoptosis) through specific pathways, and in appropriate therapeutic doses, stops proliferation (division) of tumor cells (supported by two studies so far).

In total, about ten studies confirm the anticancer effect of concentrated Barbat Skullcap compounds on tissue lines, with about five animal model studies focused on flavonoids from the herb. Optimal doses of Barbat Skullcap compounds have been shown to be safe and potentially useful in fighting breast cancer in two studies (through programmed cell death and tumor angiogenesis modulation), and especially effective in colorectal cancer (four studies), as well as lung cancer (two laboratory studies). Additional evidence exists for liver and ovarian cancer, among others, and many studies focus on effects on the immune system, oxidative processes, intracellular structures, and signaling pathways.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the typical adult dose ranges from 15 to 30 grams or 30 to 60 grams of freshly prepared plant material in the form of an infusion, which can be used internally or externally. Multiple clinical studies have used this dosing regimen. In one study of 182 patients with moderate stomach ulcers that could develop into gastric cancer, standard medication was combined with Barbat Skullcap extract pills for durations of 1 month to 10 years. 46 cases saw complete molecular-level healing, 52 patients had excellent relief, 45 saw improvement, and 39 had no change. Findings suggest longer treatments produced more benefit.

In clinical cases of liver and esophageal cancers in Chinese hospitals, treatment involved mostly combinations of herbs rather than single-herb therapy, mixed and dosed according to individual patient requirements. Success rates approached 60–62%, recognizing that these patients were already advanced in their disease. Barbat Skullcap is considered safe and, in expert hands, highly beneficial in many cases. For questions, patients should consult a practitioner of Chinese medicine or a physician familiar with herbal treatments. Use is not recommended for those with blood disorders or for pregnant women.

Active Compounds

Barbat Skullcap contains a wide range of active compounds, including numerous flavonoids, diterpenes, and significant amounts of polysaccharides. Isolated and studied substances include scutellarin (discussed above), catalpol, limonene, beta-caryophyllene, beta-cadinen, (+)-alpha-terpineol, apigenin and derivatives such as apigenin-5-O-beta-glucopyranoside, coumaric acid, luteolin, and 4-hydroxywogonin.

Traditional Dosage

The classic adult dose is 3 grams of dried Barbat Skullcap herb (about one heaping tablespoon), added to 200 ml of cold water and simmered for roughly 15 minutes. Additional water may be added to replace evaporation. Recommended to be taken only once daily, in the morning, on an empty stomach about 30 minutes before eating. For more serious conditions, literature recommends 9–30 g, and in cases of cancer (or to support standard treatment), Traditional Chinese Medicine may recommend doses up to 60 g per day. For homemade tinctures, 2–5 ml once daily is considered suitable.