Tag: Sustainability

Baical Skullcap – additional uses for aerial parts

On By philrasmIn Antibiotic Resistance, antimicrobial, Herbal Medicine, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Baical Skullcap

Scutellaria baicalensis (known as Baical skullcap or Huangqin) is an important plant medicine in China, Russia, Mongolia, Korea and Japan.  It is a prominent constituent in a large number of Traditional Chinese Medicine formulations used to treat numerous disease conditions. These include allergic diseases, respiratory tract infections, pneumonia, colitis, hepatitis, dementia, Parkinson’s disease and cancer.

Scutellaria baicalensis is botanically related to Scutellaria lateriflora (commonly known as Skullcap or American Skullcap in western Herbal Medicine), best known for its anxiolytic and sedative properties.  However, the root of Baical skullcap is the plant part traditionally used, whereas for American Skullcap it is the aerial parts (leaves and stems).

Over 50 compounds have been isolated and identified from Baical skullcap, including flavonoids, terpenoids, volatile oils and polysaccharides. Flavonoids including baicalein and its metabolite baicalin and wogonin, are key active phytochemicals.  These occur in highest levels within the root, and virtually all research on this impressive plant has involved use of root-derived preparations.

Research on aerial parts

While not well known, other parts of Baical skullcap, are also sometimes used for therapeutic purposes.

Improved cognition in vascular dementia and in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease, and prevention of cerebral ischaemia reperfusion injury, have previously been reported in rats following administration of concentrated flavonoid extracts made from stems and leaves of Scutellaria baicalensis (1-5). While required dosages were large, favourable results using these animal models for common age-related conditions are encouraging. They also highlight potential applications in both veterinary and human medicine, for parts of the plant normally regarded as waste products from root farming operations. These have a different phytochemistry to the root, with the flavonoid scutellarin being predominant.

Poultry industry applications

The poultry industry is a huge global operation, but as it has grown and poultry farms become larger, challenges in relation to animal health and husbandry have also increased.

Most chicken farms around the world still rely heavily on regular use of antibiotics for disease prevention and control, and sometimes also to promote growth. However, such widespread use can lead to deposition of antibiotic residues in the soil and waterways, and the promotion of microbial mutations and antibiotic resistance. These are serious consequences for the environment, animal and human health(6).  Since 2006, the European Union has banned the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in farm animals. Their use in Australia and New Zealand, is also now limited to sick animals only.

Bacterial and viral infections nevertheless remain challenging for poultry farmers, and can lead to substantial losses in laying hens or in those farmed for meat.  Despite improvements in housing and management practices in recent years, infections such as salmonella or bird flu remain a constant threat.

A recent study by Chinese researchers, has now found the normally discarded tops of Baical skullcap to offer promise in helping farmers to manage respiratory tract pathogens in poultry.

Recent research

The study, conducted by agricultural researchers and veterinarians in Beijing, investigated the effects of an ethanolic extract of the stems and leaves of Scutellaria baicalensis, on respiratory symptoms in diseased laying hens.

Three groups of 60 diseased laying hens were randomly selected. One group was given a diet supplemented with dried Baical skullcap stem and leaf powder, another with a hydroethanolic extract of the stem and leaf, and one the usual diet only, for a period of 12 days.

After the 12 day supplementation period, hens given the Baical skullcap extract had a marked improvement in respiratory tract symptoms such as coughing, a runny nose and labored breathing. Subsequent biopsies revealed a significant improvement in lung tissue lesions and inflammation. Baical skullcap supplementation was also associated with a significant upward trend in the egg production rate starting 3 days after supplementation commenced, as well as improvements in egg quality(7).

Previous work

Earlier work in Europe found a combination of turmeric and baical skullcap given as a feed additive to chickens decreased gut inflammation and improved the health of chickens with the pathogen Salmonella enteritidis(8). Salmonella is a serious pathogen in chickens which can affect both meat and egg production and quality.

Another recent Chinese study found a combination of baical skullcap with flowers of Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle, a noxious weed in Aotearoa New Zealand)(9), to mitigate the negative effects of Clostridia perfringens infection in chickens. This is another gastrointestinal pathogen causing reduced growth and mortality in poultry, also normally treated with antibiotics. Mechanisms of action were related to improvement in intestinal barrier function, leading to a positive influence on the growth performance of challenged birds(10).

Economic and environmental benefits

Potential applications to develop animal feed products containing readily available and cheap or free plant materials to manage chicken diseases naturally rather than through agrichemicals, are made apparent by this recent research.

While above ground parts of medicinal plants where the root is harvested are usually returned to the land in the form of mulch or as some form of compost, an ability to utilize these also to produce valuable medicines, is preferential.

The area of commercial cultivation of Baical skullcap in China alone is currently more than four times that of all Aotearoa New Zealand apple and pear orchards combined. This in itself speaks to the market potential of farming for the highly medicinal root.  With additional poultry industry applications being revealed for plant parts generally regarded as a waste byproduct, the case for increased research to further develop a sustainable and profitable scaled up medicinal plant cultivation industry here, continues to strengthen.

Refs:

  1. Cao Y, Liang L, Xu J, Wu J, Yan Y, Lin P, Chen Q, Zheng F, Wang Q, Ren Q, Gou Z, Du Y. The effect of Scutellaria baicalensis stem-leaf flavonoids on spatial learning and memory in chronic cerebral ischemia-induced vascular dementia of rats. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai). 2016 May;48(5):437-46.
  2. Zhao S, Kong W, Zhang S, Chen M, Zheng X, Kong X. Pretreatment with scutellaria baicalensis stem-leaf total flavonoid prevents cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Neural Regen Res. 2013 Dec 5;8(34):3183-92. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.34.002.
  3. Zhang H, Liu QQ, Ding SK, Li H, Shang YZ. Flavonoids From Stems and Leaves of Scutellaria Baicalensis Georgi Improve Composited Aβ-Induced Alzheimer’s Disease Model Rats’ Memory and Neuroplasticity Disorders. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen. 2023;26(8):1519-1532. 
  4. Ma S, Xu CC, Dong YC, Li CX, Shang YZ. Scutellaria Baicalensis Georgi Stem and Leaf Flavonoids Ameliorate the Learning and Memory Impairment in Rats Induced by Okadaic Acid. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen. 2025;28(2):263-277
  5. Wang X, Xie Y, Bayoude A, Zhang B, Yu B. Discovering the Q-marker of scutellaria baicalensis against viral pneumonia integrated chemical profile identification, pharmacokinetic, metabolomics and network pharmacology. J Ethnopharmacol. 2025 Jan 31;340:119232.
  6. Rasmussen PL, ‘Antibiotics and their effects on Plants. www.herbblurb.com July 27, 2017.
  7. Wang X, Wu S, Guo N, Yu F, Xu X, Wang X, Yu X, Liu X, Dong H. Scutellaria baicalensis stem and leaf combat chicken-derived respiratory bacterial infection. Microb Pathog. 2025 May;202:107439. 
  8. Varmuzova K, Matulova ME, Gerzova L, Cejkova D, Gardan-Salmon D, Panhéleux M, Robert F, Sisak F, Havlickova H, Rychlik I. Curcuma and Scutellaria plant extracts protect chickens against inflammation and Salmonella Enteritidis infection. Poult Sci. 2015 Sep;94(9):2049-58.
  9. Rasmussen PL, ‘Honeysuckle and other useful weeds surrounding us. www.herbblurb.com January 24, 2019.
  10. Li S, Zhang K, Bai S, Wang J, Zeng Q, Peng H, Lv H, Mu Y, Xuan Y, Li S, Ding X. Extract of Scutellaria baicalensis and Lonicerae flos improves growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal barrier of yellow-feather broiler chickens against Clostridium perfringens. Poult Sci. 2024 Jul;103(7):103718.

An introduced botanical paradise seen on holiday in Aotearoa New Zealand

On By philrasmIn Uncategorized1 Comment

Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) was the first familiar medicinal plant to proudly show itself to me on the 1st day of a recent six day campervan trip from Christchurch to the west coast of Te Waipounamu (the South Island), of Aotearoa New Zealand. Growing and flowering prolifically along the roadside and beyond as we ventured inland towards Arthurs Pass, I wished I could have stayed another night in the campsite, and had the chance to harvest a decent batch.

Yarrow is a great plant to have nearby. So also apparently thought the Greek warrior Achilles, who is said to have applied its leaves and flowers topically to the sword and arrow wounds of his soldiers after battle, to close and heal their wounds. It is widely utilized in the traditional medicine of cultures from Europe to Asia to north America for numerous health conditions. They include spasmodic digestive and gynaecological complaints, and as a febrifuge and antimicrobial for fevers and infections(1). Relief from period pain was reported after drinking three cups of yarrow tea daily on days one to three of the menstrual cycle, in a clinical trial with 91 students aged 19-23(2).

Eschscholztia californica was a pretty poppy that called out with its bright yellow and orange flowers, in many roadside and dry gravelly patches throughout our journey. Related botanically to its opium-producing cousin, also seen in a couple of places thanks to the early Chinese goldminers of central Otago, Californian poppy is now a popular remedy for anxiety, insomnia and mild pain. My application of it however, has mainly been in patients withdrawing from substance dependency(3).

The amount of St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) thriving in numerous locations in the Hawea, Wanaka and Queenstown districts and in other areas throughout our journey, was quite eye opening. I first wildcrafted and grew Hypericum as a student in the UK, and have dispensed it extensively within herbal formulations over the past 30 years.  A powerful antidepressant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, with a multitude of applications both topically and internally.   

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) was another one, appearing unexpectantly upon rounding many corners on sloping, dry hillbanks, with its distinctive upright stems poking towards the sky. As an invasive plant in many pastures and fields of rural New Zealand, with a rich content of polysaccharide hydrocolloids and other expectorant and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, its long historical use as a lung tonic and for the management of upper respiratory tract infections, warrants more attention. While it’s a lot of work to harvest and dry the large lightweight leaves, it makes a great cough formula ingredient. The flowers and roots, also have established medicinal properties(4).

And then the rosehips. Through Lindis Pass into the upper Waitaki Valley as well as at the start of Arthurs Pass, fields and fields of them, dominated many parts of the landscape. Rosehips (Rosa canina) are probably best known for their vitamin C content, and in the 1940’s, locals from Otago and Southland wildcrafted the hips and sold them to the Greggs factory in Dunedin to manufacture syrups and powder forms. Rosehips were similarly wildcrafted in Britain during World War Two, and its syrup given to children and troops to prevent scurvy. 

Several clinical trials have reported efficacy of rosehip powder or extracts for the symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis(5-7). Inhibitory effects against both cyclo-oxygenase 1 and 2 (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes may contribute to these benefits(8, 9 ). Other traditional indications are for kidney stones, UTI’s and digestive ailments, and its oil is a popular application for skin health. Rosehips have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, cardioprotective, anti-aging, anti H. pylori, neuroprotective and antinociceptive activities(10).

Finally, heading back into Canterbury, the presence of Elder trees (Sambucus nigra), made themselves known upon the landscape. I made many batches of wine using Elder berries or flowers I wildcrafted when living in the U.K. many years ago, although it is a less common albeit somewhat invasive species here and prefers the cooler south rather than north island.  

Elder flowers are a great decongestant, and its berries rich in antioxidant anthocyanins and other anti-inflammatory polyphenols and vitamin C (11). Global demand greatly outstripped supply during the Covid-19 pandemic, due to its alleged antiviral properties (12, 13).

Many other established or invasive medicinal plants were seen during our journey, though most of these didn’t cry out so much to me.  It was the ones that I don’t see as much in the north island where I live, that served to remind me of the enormous geographical and botanical diversity that is characteristic of the Aotearoa New Zealand landscape.

And of course the extent and variety of our own native species was absolutely awe-inspiring, as it has been every time I’ve travelled on the west coast. The dominance of rātā (Metrosideros robusta) with its beautiful red flowers blanketing out in so many locations from within the dominant native beech forests (Nothofagus spp), was truly stunning.

We live in a country where there are bountiful supplies of medicinal plants. From many perspectives including those based upon invasive plant and land management, biodiversity, sustainability, economics and ultimately health outcomes, we should use more of them.

References:

  1. Ali SI, Gopalakrishnan B, Venkatesalu V. Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties of Achillea millefolium L.: A Review. Phytother Res. 2017 Aug;31(8):1140-116
  2. Jenabi E, Fereidoony B. Effect of Achillea Millefolium on Relief of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2015 Oct;28(5):402-4.
  3. Rasmussen PL, A Role for Phytotherapy in the Treatment of Benzodiazepine and Opiate Drug Withdrawal; Part 2, Treatment Approaches to Opiate Withdrawal, and Conclusions. Eur J Herbal Med, 1997; 13-10.
  4. Gupta A, Atkinson AN, Pandey AK, Bishayee A. Health-promoting and disease-mitigating potential of Verbascum thapsus L. (common mullein): A review. Phytother Res. 2022 Apr;36(4):1507-1522. 
  5. Rasmussen PL, Rosehip for Osteoarthritis. Phytonews 24, February 2006; published by Phytomed Medicinal Herbs Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand. ISSN 1175-0251.
  6. Christensen R, Bartels EM, Altman RD, Astrup A, Bliddal H. Does the hip powder of Rosa canina (rosehip) reduce pain in osteoarthritis patients?–a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2008 Sep;16(9):965-72. 
  7. Gruenwald J, Uebelhack R, Moré MI. Rosa canina – Rose hip pharmacological ingredients and molecular mechanics counteracting osteoarthritis – A systematic review. Phytomedicine. 2019 Jul;60:152958. 
  8. Jäger AK, Eldeen IM, van Staden J. COX-1 and -2 activity of rose hip. Phytother Res. 2007 Dec;21(12):1251-2. 
  9. Rasmussen PL, Rosehip acts as a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor. Phytonews 29, June 2008; published by Phytomed Medicinal Herbs Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand. ISSN 1175-0251.
  10. Ayati Z, Amiri MS, Ramezani M, Delshad E, Sahebkar A, Emami SA. Phytochemistry, Traditional Uses and Pharmacological Profile of Rose Hip: A Review. Curr Pharm Des. 2018;24(35):4101-4124.
  11. Stępień AE, Trojniak J, Tabarkiewicz J. Health-Promoting Properties: Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Properties of Sambucus nigra L. Flowers and Fruits. Molecules. 2023 Aug 24;28(17):6235.
  12. Wieland LS, Piechotta V, Feinberg T, Ludeman E, Hutton B, Kanji S, Seely D, Garritty C. Elderberry for prevention and treatment of viral respiratory illnesses: a systematic review. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2021 Apr 7;21(1):112.
  13. Boroduske A, Jekabsons K, Riekstina U, Muceniece R, Rostoks N, Nakurte I. Wild Sambucus nigra L. from north-east edge of the species range: A valuable germplasm with inhibitory capacity against SARS-CoV2 S-protein RBD and hACE2 binding in vitro. Ind Crops Prod. 2021 Jul;165:113438.