CHINESE SKULLCAP (BAIKAL SKULLCAP)
Chinese skullcap (also called Baikal skullcap) is one of the herbs Lyme-literate doctors often mention. It stood out in the Johns Hopkins lab studies on Lyme, Babesia and Bartonella, and there's some interesting newer research too.
Short on time or energy? A quick-view graphic with the key points is at the bottom of this post.
Where to buy is near the bottom of this post.
These three herbs are often used together. See all three here:
CAT'S CLAW | BLACK WALNUT | CHINESE SKULLCAP
WHAT IS CHINESE SKULLCAP?
- Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) is also called Baikal skullcap. The root is used.
- Its best-known natural compounds are baicalin and baicalein.
CHINESE SKULLCAP VS. AMERICAN SKULLCAP
- There's a lot of confusion about these two, so here's the difference in plain words.
- Chinese skullcap (Baikal skullcap) is the root. It's the one in the Lyme, Babesia and Bartonella research, and it's the one in Find Relief.
- American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is a different plant. The leaves and flowers are used, and it's a traditional calming herb for nerves, stress and sleep. It's not the one in the Lyme research.
- They're cousins in the same plant family, but you can't swap one for the other. Dr. Bill Rawls advises not using American skullcap in place of Chinese skullcap.
- Some American skullcap products have been mixed up with germander, a different herb linked to liver problems, so buy from a brand you trust.
- When you shop, look for "baicalensis" or "Baikal" on the label.
WHAT LYME-LITERATE DOCTORS SAY
- Dr. Richard Horowitz shared in a 2026 interview that for hard-to-treat Babesia, he combines newer prescription medicines (tafenoquine with Malarone) with herbs including artemisinin, Chinese skullcap, Japanese knotweed and Alchornea, and that he's seeing much better results. He covers this in his new book, Ending Chronic Illness.
- Dr. Bill Rawls includes Chinese skullcap among the key herbs from the Johns Hopkins Lyme research. He describes it as antimicrobial and immune-balancing, and he also lists it as an option for Mycoplasma.
LYME, BABESIA AND BARTONELLA LAB RESEARCH
- In a 2020 Johns Hopkins lab study of 14 natural products against Lyme bacteria, Chinese skullcap was one of seven with good activity against the resting (non-growing) form of the bacteria.
- In a 2021 Johns Hopkins Babesia lab study, Chinese skullcap slowed Babesia growth by more than half, putting it in the top five herbs. The Bay Area Lyme Foundation shared that this was the first study to report skullcap's activity against Babesia.
- In that same study, baicalein (one of skullcap's compounds) blocked Babesia about as well as quinine and better than clindamycin, two medicines used for Babesia.
- Babesia grew back once the skullcap was removed. Of the three herbs tested for regrowth, only cryptolepis kept Babesia from growing back at the higher amounts.
- In a 2021 Johns Hopkins Bartonella lab study, Chinese skullcap had activity against the resting form of Bartonella, but it was weaker than the top herbs.
- These were lab studies, so studies in people are still needed.
SKULLCAP AND LUTEOLIN TOGETHER
- Older lab study (2017): baicalein (from skullcap) and luteolin worked better together against Lyme bacteria than either one alone. Together they also had some effect on Lyme biofilms.
- A 2020 study tested a blend that included baicalein and luteolin with several other natural ingredients. In mice, it lowered the amount of Lyme bacteria by about 75%. In a small group of 17 people with Lyme symptoms that hadn't improved after antibiotics, about 67% said they felt better over 6 months. There was no comparison group, and it was a blend, so the results can't be credited to skullcap alone.
MYCOPLASMA
- Dr. Rawls lists Chinese skullcap as an option for Mycoplasma.
- In a 2025 animal study, baicalin calmed the lung inflammation caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae in mice. This was about calming inflammation, not about killing the Mycoplasma.
MAST CELLS
- In a 2024 animal study, baicalein kept mast cells from releasing histamine and other chemicals and protected mice from severe allergic reactions.
- The research is mixed: a 2026 lab study found baicalin could trigger mast cells through a different pathway in some cases.
- More research is needed. If you have MCAS, start low and watch how you feel.
MOOD
- In a 2025 study of 180 adults with mild to moderate low mood, 6 weeks of Chinese skullcap extract improved mood compared with placebo, and it worked even better combined with saffron. Side effects were minimal. The study was funded by the extract's maker.
A note from me: this list doesn't cover everything. Chinese skullcap may offer more benefits than I've included here. I'm sharing the uses that are best known or most studied as of today, from sources I trust. Research keeps growing, and one post can only cover so much.
BEFORE YOU START
- Read the warning on each bottle.
- It can cause sleepiness in some people.
- Liver: in a large 2026 study of over 75,000 patients given Chinese skullcap, liver problems happened in about 1 in 1,000, and more often at high amounts. A purified skullcap product combined with another herb was also linked to liver problems in the past.
- Talk with your doctor first if you take blood thinners, statins (cholesterol medicines) or diabetes medicines.
- The products below say not to use while pregnant or nursing, and the liquids contain alcohol.
- Always ask your doctor before adding anything new.
MY EXPERIENCE
I've used Chinese skullcap in different combinations over the years. Now I get it every day in Find Relief.
FIND RELIEF HIGHLIGHT
- Chinese skullcap is in Find Relief, at 200 mg of Baikal skullcap extract (standardized to 30% baicalin) per 3-capsule serving.
- Find Relief also has 250 mg of luteolin, the compound paired with skullcap's baicalein in the 2017 lab study above.
- How it works with white peony: skullcap gives more direct support for mast cells and inflammation, while white peony broadens immune balance. Together they support a more balanced immune response.
FIND RELIEF - BAIKAL SKULLCAP AND WHITE PEONY: BROADER IMMUNE REGULATION
- See every Find Relief post in one place:
FIND RELIEF DIRECTORY
WHERE TO BUY
One I personally love: Find Relief, formulated by my doctor, Dr. Thoring.
I invested in Vital Harmony Nutritionals to help bring Find Relief to market, because I wanted a formula that saves people money.
Buy products on Fullscript for a 25% discount:
Buy here (NutraMedix Baikal Skullcap: liquid drops):
Buy here (Researched Nutritionals Myc-P: liquid blend with Chinese skullcap, sida acuta, cat's claw and more):
MORE RESEARCH WITH MIXED RESULTS
- In a 2025 study of 85 healthy adults, a blend of Chinese skullcap and acacia did not improve thinking or memory more than placebo.
RELATED POSTS
LUTEOLIN
BABESIA - POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
MYCOPLASMA - POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
SOURCES
Dr. Richard Horowitz, interview with Dr. Mark Hyman (2026)
Dr. Bill Rawls, LymeDisease.org, herbal therapy vs. antibiotics (2024)
Dr. Bill Rawls, LymeDisease.org, natural remedies (2021, older source, still worth reading)
Johns Hopkins, Lyme lab study, Frontiers in Medicine (2020, older source, still worth reading)
Johns Hopkins, Babesia lab study, Frontiers (2021, older source, still worth reading)
Bay Area Lyme Foundation, five herbs potent against Babesia (2021, older source, still worth reading)
Johns Hopkins, Bartonella lab study (2021, older source, still worth reading)
Goc et al., baicalein and luteolin lab study (2017, older source, still worth reading)
Goc et al., blend study in mice and people (2020, older source, still worth reading)
Song et al., baicalin and Mycoplasma in mice (2025)
Abbas et al., baicalein and mast cells in mice (2024)
Zhang et al., natural compounds and mast cells, lab study (2026)
Dormal et al., skullcap and saffron mood trial (2025)
Krieger et al., skullcap blend memory trial (2025)
Fu et al., skullcap and liver safety (2026)
Memorial Sloan Kettering, About Herbs: Scutellaria baicalensis (2022)
Sun et al., American skullcap and germander (2013, older source, still worth reading)
Disclaimer: Rise Above Lyme makes no claims about any possible benefit of using any product mentioned within this site. Always consult with your doctor before adding anything. The information shared is based on personal experience, years of accumulated researched resources from Lyme Literate doctors and polls conducted within Lyme groups from actual patient experience using these solution ideas.
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