Skullcap, Barbat (Scutellaria barbata), packet of 30 seeds, organic
$4.95
Family: Mint (Lamiaceae)
Hardy to Zones 7 to 10
(Barbat Skullcap, Ban-zhi-lian) Herbaceous perennial to 18 inches. Native to southeastern China. Flowers large and blue/purple. Traditional usage (TCM): clears heat, infection, tumors, hepatitis. Plant prefers part shade to sun, moist soils. Barely cover seed with soil and tamp securely, then keep evenly moist and warm until germination, which is rapid. Thin or transplant to 1 foot apart
30 seeds per packet, Certified Organically Grown
In stock
Michelle –
This skullcap has become a style to my garden, it also does well in pots. It returns with vigor every year in a zone 4.
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Richo Cech –
very cool, i just noticed that mine went for a second flush of growth after being harvested for seed, cut back and watered. r
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Question
Kandi –
I have a receipe for a headache tea and it calls for skullcap and doesn’t say which one. What do you recommend?
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Richo Cech –
hi kandi, any recipe from a western source is going to be meaning scutellaria lateriflora, which is official. richo
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Question
laura.mangels –
Which skullcap would you recommend for dryer conditions? The plants will be on a drip, so I can make sure they receive plenty of water–I’m looking to find the species that will best help me conserve resources. I am in zone 10a, so am thinking of either helmet skullcap or barbed skullcap–but perhaps official might work here (many plants zoned for zone 9 do).
PS. I have been encouraged by some reports that all the skullcap species may be interchangeable, despite the very separate streams of Baikal (for root) and official (for leaf). I’ve heard that concentrations of baicalin may be even higher in official skullcap root, and likely to be in other species as well. Fascinating stuff. Thank you for giving us options!
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Richo Cech –
Hi Laura, Thanks for writing. Fascinating stuff. In answer to your simplest question, Scutellaria baicalensis is the most dry-loving of the skullcaps. I have seen it thrive with no summer water. Barbata and lateriflora are both water-loving. if you have them on drip that’s sufficient. Part shade is also a good call. Plants are complex bundles of chemistry and even though there may be shared compounds it makes sense to look at the traditional uses and differentiate them that way. Huang-qin (Scutellaria baicalensis) is my favorite due to the prevalence of infectious disease out there, it distinguishes itself. There will be much more on this in Volume 2 of GPM. Stay tuned. Richo
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Dawn B –
Hi Richo, I was wondering if one of your books covers Barbata? I don’t have anything in all of my books on Barbed Skullcap but I grow it. Thanks for your help.
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Richo Cech –
Hi Dawn, Thanks for contacting. It is in my upcoming book “Growing Plant Medicine Vol 2” on page 103. You can find out more about it by looking up the chinese herb Ban-zhi-lian. The dried herb clears heat–ie reduces tumors, sores, abscesses. This is a fundamental herb and it makes sense to grow it. richo
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Kerri Mae –
Just to know, this one self-seeds in my gardens every year in WI, it’s been 7+ years since I planted it and I still have it.
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Ds10110 –
Great germination rate, packing is great and fresh seeds, I haven’t found a website with the quality, prices, and abundance of medicinal plants. Yall are definitely my go to now
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