Skullcap for Children: Benefits, Uses & Safety

There are two types of skullcap--American and Chinese. Both have calming effects and can be used for anxiety, irritability and insomnia. The use of skullcap for children is controversial.

Chinese Skullcap

• Chinese skullcap also has anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties, making it useful for pain relief and allergies.

History

• American skullcap has been used for about 200 years, while Chinese skullcap's use dates back thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Considerations

• The major reason skullcap isn't recommended for children is because of a lack of scientific data to prove or disprove its safety and efficacy.

Benefits

• Skullcap can reduce anxiety and stress from transitions if used short-term for children. Skullcap shouldn't be taken for longer than 8 weeks without a 2-week break between rounds.

Dosage

• The typical dosage of skullcap is 1 g per 150 lbs. of body weight, so a child's dose will need to be titered down based on her weight. The easiest way to give a child skullcap is via a weak tea, sweetened with honey or sugar to make it taste better.

Warning

• Skullcap shouldn't be used by pregnant women or infants. Use with children only under the guidance of an experienced doctor, naturopath or master herbalist.