American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is a herb with a traditional medicinal use. American skullcap belongs to the mint or Laminacaea family of plants and is native to North America, Canada and parts of Iran. Research suggests that flavonoid phytochemicals within American skullcap are able to interact with receptors in the brain and elicit behavioural changes. American skullcap has been shown to have beneficial effects on insomnia, and the theory for this is that phytochemicals within the plant, perhaps flavonoids, are able to induce relaxation due to their trophorestorative properties. This effect appears to be particularly evident after nervous exhaustion, as may have occurred during a stressful life event for example. Therefore American skullcap may have certain anxiolytic properties. The fact that American skullcap can be used as a treatment for barbiturate and tranquiliser withdrawal, also suggests that the herb may have anxiolytic properties, and this is supported by animal and human evidence.
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