Video: Skullcap Harvest with Michael "Skeeter" Pilarski
Permaculturist Michael "Skeeter" Pilarski shares how and when to harvest Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora). Filmed August 2017 at his agroforestry planting in Port Townsend, WA.
Traditional use (Wikipedia): Skullcaps are common herbal remedies in systems of traditional medicine. In traditional Chinese medicine they are utilized to "clear away the heat-evil and expel superficial evils". Scutellaria baicalensis in particular is a common component of many preparations. Its root, known as Radix Scutellariae, is the source of the Chinese medicine Huang Qin. It has been in use for over 2000 years as a remedy for such conditions as hepatitis, diarrhea, and inflammation. It is still in demand today, and marketed in volumes that have led to the overexploitation of the wild plant. Its rarity has led to an increase in price, and encouraged the adulteration of the product with other species of Scutellaria. In North America, Scutellaria lateriflora was used in Native American medicine to treat gynaecological conditions. It became a common treatment in America for rabies. Today it is still a popular medicinal herb. It is widely available as a commercial product used in western herbalism to treat anxiety and muscle tension. The plant reportedly commands prices of $16 to $64 per pound dry weight.
One of the tragedies of the world is the export of the Western schooling system worldwide to change cultures. A great film about the damage we are doing to ancient cultures around the world. Including First Nations tribes in North America.
Permaculturist Michael Pilarski talks about his first year hugelkultur diversified planting near Port Townsend, Washington. He also gives a mini-tour of the garden while in the process of mulching with "hogfuel," a 50-50 mix of bark and wood chips. Filmed June 15, 2017.
