I need more info on skullcap please

[Jilian]

After reading through several threads on anxiety in this forum I have decided that skullcap will work best for me. I am dealing with temporary (hopefully just temp) infertility. OK, my questions:

If you've taken skullcap what brand did you take? Where did you buy it?

Did you have any side effects? How much did you take, and how often?

I'm very concerned about getting it from a reputable source because I have read a lot about it being cross-contaminated with other herbs leading to liver problems. I'd spend a little more just to know it was from a reliable source. Thanks in advance!

[captain crunchy]

I am also curious about this. I picked up some at my local (very cool) herb shop a few months ago because I was interested in it, but I don't know much about it...

I suffer from some situational anxiety pretty often and I would love something natural to help treat it.

[EDog]

I will look into it for you. I am very into supplements and could be called an expert in the field in many ways.

One way to make sure you have pure material is to look for a GMP certified producer (GMP means that everything is inspected for quality and purity).

What are your symptoms? Perhaps Skullcap will be good, but I may be able to give you advise on other items that may help you.

Eric

[Jilian]

I purchased organic liquid skullcap at my local whole foods store. It is by Herb Pharm.

They symptoms are waves of anxiety and infertility. Both are a result of taking the depo provera shot. I'm currently drinking an organic detox tea to help detox my liver of the medication. The skullcap is to lessen the anxiety and to hopefully promote ovulation. I've also been drinking red raspberry tea.

[vermontana]

Jilian, Herb Pharm is a very reputable and good source. They make excellent, high quality tinctures, and have for many years. Skullcap IS very good for anxiety, but you should commit to using it over an extended period of time. I use it nearly daily in a tea blend with red clover, nettles, lemon balm, red rasp. leaf, dandelion leaf and milky oat tops. When I am feeling seriously stressed and over anxious, I will use it in tincture form (combined with lemon balm and chamomile). Using skullcap will not necessarily help you in returning to normal menstrual cycles/ovulation after the shot. For that, I'd recommend looking into vitex, red clover, wild yam, dong quai; and definitely a great idea to do the detox---burdock, dandelion, yellow dock, oregon grape root, astragalus, and milk thistle are great liver herbs. I think incorporating a good tonic tea everyday is a good idea, and I stick to tinctures more for acute situations. If you want to start making your own teas with bulk herbs, there are some safe and reputable herb suppliers, like mountain rose, where you can order organic. Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Healing for Women is a wonderful introductory book that you may find helpful.

[vermontana]

Also, forgot to add, if you're taking the tincture, a good daily dose would be 1/4 tsp in a little warm water or tea three times a day. You can take more than that, 1/4 to 1/2 tsp every hour or so if you are having a major full blown anxiety attack kind of day. If you do the tea, try drinking at least 2 to 3 cups daily. Skullcap is in the mint family and is totally safe to use in substantial amounts for an extended period of time---that's how you get the best results.

[Jilian]

Thank you for the book recomendation, I'm gonna see if I can find it online today

[rainbowmoon]

I have some skullcap tincture I used during my pg. I got it from www.mountainroseherbs.com sorry I have no info to add really but it is great for your nerves! I've never heard anything about it and fertility though.

have you tried Red Raspberry lef tea btw for your fertilty issues?

btw I'd be careful with prescription drugs and herbs. I would find a qualified herbalist in your area to advise you there.