Identity & origin
BOTANICAL IDENTITY
The right name is the first step.
A perennial associated primarily with temperate environments. Scutellaria baicalensis root is the listed part. Aerial parts of other skullcaps must not inherit its findings merely because their names are similar.
Also known as: No synonyms listed.
Have the species and exact part verified; a photograph alone cannot guarantee identification for consumption.
An illustration is not enough to identify a plant for consumption. Do not forage for a species based solely on this profile.
Uses & evidence
UNDERSTANDING THE USES
Properties & uses.
Listed part — documentary context
ANSM lists Scutellaria baicalensis for: root. This listing specifies neither a clinical indication nor a dosage.
The references do not establish a benefit. Lack of evidence is not assurance of safety.
Read the sourceCombination with metformin: findings and caution
A small trial alongside metformin describes glucose-tolerance and microbiota changes but also liver-enzyme elevations. It does not establish the combination as safe or the plant alone as a diabetes treatment.
A human study may be positive, negative or inconclusive. Read the findings, preparation and limitations.
Read the sourceThe traditional uses described are not clinical proof of effectiveness. Evidence for one preparation cannot automatically be applied to another.
Precautions before use
BEFORE ANY USE
Precautions & contraindications.
This guidance does not cover every individual situation. Missing information is not a guarantee of safety.
Contraindications & precautions
- PrecautionLiver-enzyme elevations were observed in the metformin trial. Do not start the combination without medical follow-up; this observation does not establish a complete list of contraindications.Source
Medicine interactions
- Possible interactionThe trial found changes when the plant was added to metformin without establishing general safety of the combination. Effects depend on preparation; do not adjust diabetes medication yourself.Source
- Reported interactionIsolated baicalin reduced rosuvastatin blood exposure in a small study of 18 volunteers, with an effect that varied according to a transporter’s genetic profile. This cannot predict the interaction of tea or every skullcap extract; have concentrated supplements reviewed by the prescriber.Source
Other retained warnings · review incomplete
These existing warnings remain relevant to consult. Their exhaustive reassessment is outside this targeted review.
Restrictions and precautions
- Liver-enzyme elevations were observed in the metformin trial. Do not start the combination without medical follow-up; this observation does not establish a complete list of contraindications.
Medicine interactions
- The trial found changes when the plant was added to metformin without establishing general safety of the combination. Effects depend on preparation; do not adjust diabetes medication yourself.
- Isolated baicalin reduced rosuvastatin blood exposure in a small study of 18 volunteers, with an effect that varied according to a transporter’s genetic profile. This cannot predict the interaction of tea or every skullcap extract; have concentrated supplements reviewed by the prescriber.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children
Insufficient information here to recommend medicinal use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
No preparation or paediatric dose is validated in this record.
“Reported” does not prove causality; “possible” may reflect indirect evidence. “None reported” means none in the cited source, not that all combinations have been studied. Do not stop a prescribed treatment based on this profile.
Adverse effects
- Liver-enzyme elevations in some participants in the metformin-combination trial.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Insufficient information here to recommend medicinal use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Children & adolescents
No preparation or paediatric dose is validated in this record.
If symptoms persist, worsen or are unusual, consult a healthcare professional. In an emergency, contact the emergency services.
Available evidence
EXPLORE THE EVIDENCE
The available evidence.
A combination trial can reveal a tolerability signal as well as an activity signal. It would be inaccurate to infer guaranteed compatibility with diabetes medicines.
Combination with metformin: findings and caution
Observed microbial changes do not by themselves establish a causal role in clinical benefit.
This entry describes a risk or interaction, not a beneficial property.
Read the referenceLimitations to keep in mind.
This record explains a publication without turning it into a prescription. The studied part, process and context must remain identifiable.
Studies, findings & limitations
THE RESEARCH
What the research shows.
A laboratory or animal result alone does not demonstrate a benefit in humans. Each result must be read alongside the preparation studied and its limitations.
Combination with metformin: findings and caution
A human study may be positive, negative or inconclusive. Read the findings, preparation and limitations.
- Type of research
- Randomized crossover trial in patients with diabetes.
- Preparation concerned
- Skullcap added to already prescribed metformin.
- Observed results
- Metabolic and microbiota changes; liver-enzyme elevations in some participants.
- Limitations to consider
- Monitored combination, not standalone treatment; the liver signal requires particular caution.
What can we take from this?
This summary is not an exhaustive literature review. Clinical observations, animal models and cellular tests are not interchangeable levels of evidence.
Documentary review dated 09/10/2026. The references remain available to check the context.
Sources & last review
CHECKING REFERENCES
Sources for this profile.
- ANSM — Pharmacopée française, liste A (janvier 2026), p. 34Accessed on 09/10/2026
- Kew — Plants of the World Online : Scutellaria baicalensis GeorgiAccessed on 09/10/2026
- Shin NR et al. (2020). Combined effects of Scutellaria baicalensis with metformin on glucose tolerance of patients with type 2 diabetes via gut microbiota modulation.Accessed on 09/10/2026
- Fan L et al. (2008). The effect of herbal medicine baicalin on pharmacokinetics of rosuvastatin, substrate of organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1B1.Accessed on 09/10/2026
Image: Urgamal Magsar · CC BY 4.0. View the original image and its licence. Image resized and converted to WebP.