Skullcap Shows Potential as an Effective Mood-Enhancing Remedy

The search for safe and effective alternatives to conventional medications for psychological conditions is crucial, given their many side effects. Herbal medicines have long been used for anxiety and stress relief, yet scientific evidence supporting their efficacy is limited. American skullcap is one such herb, traditionally utilized for anxiety but lacking robust clinical validation. 

The Study

This crossover clinical trial was conducted on 43 healthy participants to evaluate the effects of skullcap on mood. While participants were recruited based on experiencing persistent stress, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, poor sleep, or difficulty coping, non-anxious individuals were also included.

Participants were randomized to receive either skullcap capsules (350 mg) or a placebo three times daily for two weeks, followed by a seven-day washout period and then the alternate treatment. 

The mood-enhancing properties of skullcap were measured using a variety of assessment tools, including the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Profile of Mood States (POMS). The findings were published in the 2023 edition of the Phytotherapy Research journal.

The Results

The study found no significant difference between skullcap and placebo on anxiety scores. However, the herb seemed to have a lasting positive effect, as shown by a significant group effect. 

Notably, skullcap significantly enhanced overall mood without causing sedation, fatigue, or cognitive impairment, which are common side effects of many anxiolytic medications. No substantial mood-enhancing effects were observed with the placebo.

What Does this Mean?

The findings suggest that skullcap may positively affect mood in healthy individuals, even though its anxiolytic effects were not conclusively demonstrated in this trial. Importantly, the herb did not cause common side effects of many anxiolytic medications.

The fact that the herb did not cause common side effects of many anxiolytic medications as well as the presence of a carryover effect suggests that skullcap could be an effective and long-term remedy.

While skullcap is believed to enhance mood by increasing the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), further exploration of these mechanisms, particularly in individuals with higher levels of anxiety and co-morbid depression, could provide valuable insights into its therapeutic potential.¹

Other herbs that may help improve mood and relieve anxiety are Saint John's wort, rhodiola, saffron, and turmeric.