Herbal blend
Chinese Skullcap Liver Safety: What Is Known and Unknown
Chinese skullcap liver safety is not settled. Acute liver injury has been reported in arthritis patients taking formulas that contain baicalin, and human data are limited. SciatiEase holds at most about 16.7 mg of skullcap root extract per serving. If you have liver disease or take liver-sensitive medicines, ask a clinician first.
Written by the SciatiEase label deskUpdated · 4 min read
The reports01
Is Chinese skullcap bad for your liver?
It has been linked to liver injury in reports, so the question is open, not answered.
Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis, also called Huang Qin) has not been studied in clinical trials as a single herb. Acute liver injury was reported in arthritis patients taking baicalin-containing formulas, and lung inflammation has also been reported (MSKCC, Scutellaria baicalensis).
Those were multi-herb formulas, which makes it hard to blame one ingredient. It also means no one can promise the herb is safe for the liver.
Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, or constant upper-right belly pain need medical care promptly.
On the label02
How much Chinese skullcap is in SciatiEase?
At most about 16.7 mg per 4 capsules, and the label prints no single-herb amount.
Skullcap root extract is third in a 50 mg blend, so it holds at most 50 divided by 3, about 16.7 mg (21 CFR 101.36 (eCFR)). An even split gives 12.5 mg.
| Case | Per 4 capsules | Per 2 capsules |
|---|---|---|
| Even split | 12.5 mg | 6.25 mg |
| Most it can hold | about 16.7 mg | about 8.3 mg |
The extract is 4:1, so that is concentrated herb, but no source tells us what amount is safe or risky.
Medicines03
Does Chinese skullcap interact with medicines?
Possibly. Three flags are on record (MSKCC, Scutellaria baicalensis).
- Blood thinners: it may add to bleeding risk (MSKCC, Scutellaria baicalensis).
- Rosuvastatin: levels were lowered in volunteers (MSKCC, Scutellaria baicalensis).
- Drugs cleared by the CYP1A2 and CYP2C19 enzymes may be affected (MSKCC, Scutellaria baicalensis).
Keep taking prescribed medicine, and show the panel to your pharmacist. The bleeding side is covered in feverfew and blood thinners.
SciatiEase: from $49.99 a bottle120 capsules · 1, 3 or 6 bottles · free US shipping on 3 or 6 · 180-day guarantee
See packsDecision04
Who should skip a blend with skullcap?
Anyone with liver disease, anyone on the medicines above, and anyone who wants zero herb guesswork.
If your liver tests have ever been abnormal, ask your clinician before ordering. See who SciatiEase is for for the full list of groups who should check first.
FAQ05
Chinese skullcap: liver and safety questions
What is Chinese skullcap also called?
Scutellaria baicalensis and Huang Qin are the other names (MSKCC, Scutellaria baicalensis). The SciatiEase label prints it as Chinese skullcap (root) extract 4:1.
Are Chinese skullcap and American skullcap the same plant?
No. Chinese skullcap is Scutellaria baicalensis, while American skullcap is another species. The reports we cite are about Chinese skullcap (MSKCC, Scutellaria baicalensis).
Has Chinese skullcap been tested in clinical trials?
Not as a single agent, according to Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSKCC, Scutellaria baicalensis). That is why safety conclusions are limited.
Can Chinese skullcap lower statin levels?
Rosuvastatin levels fell in volunteers who took it (MSKCC, Scutellaria baicalensis). If you take that statin, ask your pharmacist before adding any skullcap product.
Does a small blend amount remove the liver risk?
We cannot say. At most about 16.7 mg is present, but no source defines a safe or unsafe level, so low dose is not proof of safety.
Who wrote this06
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the brand pages and linked NIH, FDA, FTC, NICE and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . How we work: editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a licensed SciatiEase retailer, not by the manufacturer, SciatiEase Labs. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
Keep reading
More about SciatiEase
Licensed SciatiEase retailer
Ready to try SciatiEase?
Look over your medicines first, then choose a pack. Three or six bottles ship free in the US and cost less per bottle, and the 180-day guarantee covers every pack.
- Secure checkout on the brand page
- 180-day guarantee
- Ships from the U.S.
