Skullcap is a perennial herb that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years and by Native Americans for hundreds of years. Several veterinarians, especially those focusing on holistic treatments, are now prescribing skullcap for felines. Skullcap is a safe, beneficial herb for cats that can address several health issues.
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Benefits
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Skullcap can help with anxiety, epilepsy, nervousness, high blood pressure and twitching muscles.
Function
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Skullcap is a nervine, meaning it acts on the nervous system to soothe and calm the cat.
Considerations
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Skullcap can be especially beneficial for cats with infections that are resistant to antibiotics due to its strong antibacterial properties that have been confirmed by more than 100 scientific studies.
Types
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Skullcap can be purchased as a capsule, tincture or tea. You can also grow skullcap yourself and make a tea for your cat from the stems, leaves and flowers. Don't use the root.
Fun Fact
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Skullcap was once called "Mad Dog Weed," because people observed it had a calming effect on aggressive animals suspected of having rabies. The herb was often given to humans who might have been exposed to rabies. Research has shown skullcap to be ineffective against rabies, but its calming properties might have soothed diseased animals and people.
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