药草篇（13）- 美黄芩 skullcap

美黄芩（拉丁文名字Scutellaria Laterifolia)是一种备受推崇的北美药草，是治疗焦虑、压力、头痛、疲惫和抑郁的绝佳良药，被称为中枢神经系统的疗愈滋补品，特别有助于缓解神经疼痛、神经紧张、肌肉痉挛、抽搐和痉挛；还对帕金森病、带状疱疹、神经痛、坐骨神经痛、癫痫、偏头痛、经前综合症和更年期综合症有帮助。黄芩具有强大的消炎特性，可以阻止组胺生成，组胺生成通常是造成类风湿性关节炎、慢性鼻窦炎、肠易激综合征、哮喘和纤维肌痛等疾病肿胀和不适的原因。

众所周知，美黄芩有助于降低血压，支持心血管系统，也可以治疗失眠，因为有助于在不强烈镇静身体的情况下促进睡眠，让人在第二天早上仍然可以清醒地醒来。可以将2茶匙干黄芩浸泡在1杯热水中至少15 分钟以上制作美黄芩茶，如需要，可加入生蜂蜜调味。

请注意，有两种黄芩：美国黄芩和中国黄芩，两者具有完全不同的疗愈功效，因此在购买时请确保购买的是正确类型的黄芩，本文关于美国黄芩的疗愈属性。黄芩存在酊剂、胶囊、提取物和茶的形式。

注：安东尼威廉推荐的美黄芩品牌为nature’s answer滴剂（iherb上可以找到）

Skullcap

Skullcap (Scutellaria laterifolia) is a well respected North American medicinal herb that is an excellent remedy for anxiety, stress, headaches, exhaustion, and depression. It is known as a healing tonic for the central nervous system and can be particularly beneficial in providing relief for nerve pain, nervous tension, muscle cramps, twitches, tics, and spasms. 

It is also helpful for Parkinson’s disease, shingles, neuralgia, sciatica, epilepsy, migraines, PMS, and menopause. Skullcap has potent anti-inflammatory properties and can help to stop histamine production which is often the cause of swelling and discomfort in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, chronic sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome, asthma, and fibromyalgia. 

Skullcap is known to help lower blood pressure and support the cardiovascular system. It is also a good natural remedy for insomnia as it helps to induce sleep without strongly sedating the body, so that you can still wake up fresh and clear-minded the next morning. Skullcap tea can be made by steeping 2 tsp of dried herb in 1 cup of hot water for at least 15 minutes, strain and sweeten with raw honey if desired. 

Please also be aware that there are 2 forms of skullcap; American and Chinese. Skullcap (American), as described here, has entirely different healing properties than the Chinese skullcap, so make sure you are getting the correct type of skullcap when purchasing your herb. Skullcap (American) can be found in tincture, capsule, extract, and tea form online or at your local health food store.