Quiet Evenings Begin with One Gentle Herb
Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) and Evening Calm:
A Gentle Traditional Herb for Quieter Nights
A Gentle Traditional Herb for Quieter Nights
Do you sometimes wish your mind would just… switch off in the evening? Across Europe and North America, one of the most respected traditional herbs for exactly this moment is American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) — a delicate mint-family plant that has been part of bedtime rituals for over 200 years.
What Exactly Is Skullcap?
Scutellaria lateriflora is a delicate perennial that grows wild along North American riverbanks and meadows. Its small blue-violet flowers look like tiny medieval helmets — that’s where the name “skullcap” comes from.
The aerial parts (leaves and flowers) are harvested just as the plant begins to bloom — exactly the moment when the concentration of active compounds is highest. In Europe it has been a popular import herb since the 18th century.
The aerial parts (leaves and flowers) are harvested just as the plant begins to bloom — exactly the moment when the concentration of active compounds is highest. In Europe it has been a popular import herb since the 18th century.
A Long Tradition of Evening Peace
- 1770s — the American physician Dr. Van Derveer described skullcap as “invaluable for nervous irritability and sleeplessness”
- 19th century — it became one of the most important “nerve tonics” in the Eclectic medicine movement
- Today — skullcap is still one of the classic ingredients in traditional “sleep teas” and modern herbal evening blends
Why Skullcap Is Almost Always Combined with Valerian & Hops
Skullcap complements the classic European evening duo perfectly:
- Valerian + hops → work mainly via GABA-A receptors and adenosine
- Skullcap → adds special flavonoids (especially baicalin, wogonin and scutellarin) that support the same pathways in a slightly different way
- Lemon balm → rounds off the aroma and adds its own gentle effect
The Natural Compounds Behind the Gentle Character
Tiny habits make the biggest difference:
- Fixed bedtime ±30 minutes
- Bedroom cool (16–18 °C), completely dark and quiet
- No screens 60–90 minutes before bed
- A short wind-down signal: warm herbal tea, 5 minutes of stretching, 10 slow breaths
The Day–Night Rhythm Thousands of Europeans Already Love
More and more people rely on a natural 24-hour concept that combines daytime balance with a proven herbal evening quartet:
Morning & day → Stop Stress® Day with magnesium and B-vitamins (EFSA-authorised nutrients for normal psychological function and nervous system)
Evening & night → Stop Stress® Night with the traditional valerian + hops combination (on-hold EU botanical claim ID 2680), lemon balm (ID 2302) and carefully selected skullcap extract — the quartet that has been part of calm evenings for generations
Together they create gentle support from sunrise to deep sleep — no heaviness, no dependency, just pleasant calm.
Morning & day → Stop Stress® Day with magnesium and B-vitamins (EFSA-authorised nutrients for normal psychological function and nervous system)
Evening & night → Stop Stress® Night with the traditional valerian + hops combination (on-hold EU botanical claim ID 2680), lemon balm (ID 2302) and carefully selected skullcap extract — the quartet that has been part of calm evenings for generations
Together they create gentle support from sunrise to deep sleep — no heaviness, no dependency, just pleasant calm.
One Tiny Change Tonight
Brew a cup of herbal tea with skullcap, lemon balm and a hint of hops, let it steep for 8 minutes and simply enjoy the aroma.
Your nervous system will notice — often from the very first sip.
Ready for quieter evenings and truly restorative nights? Discover the complete Stop Stress® Day & Night rhythm with premium skullcap extract at → www.stopstress.de
Sleep deeply — you deserve it.
Your nervous system will notice — often from the very first sip.
Ready for quieter evenings and truly restorative nights? Discover the complete Stop Stress® Day & Night rhythm with premium skullcap extract at → www.stopstress.de
Sleep deeply — you deserve it.
References and Further Reading
Awad, R., et al. (2007). Bioassay-guided fractionation of lemon balm and skullcap using a GABA-A receptor binding assay. Phytomedicine, 14(10), 687–694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2007.06.002
Brock, C., et al. (2014). American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora): A review of its traditional use and modern research. Journal of Herbal Medicine, 4(3), 114–123.
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). (2023). EU Register of nutrition and health claims – authorised claims for magnesium, B-vitamins. Retrieved from https://food.ec.europa.eu/safety/labelling-and-nutrition/nutrition-and-health-claims/eu-register-health-claims_en
European Commission. (2023). On-hold botanical health claims: Valerian & hops combination (ID 2680); Melissa officinalis (ID 2302). Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/labelling_nutrition/claims/register/public/
Wolfson, P., & Hoffmann, D. L. (2003). An investigation into the efficacy of Scutellaria lateriflora in healthy volunteers. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 9(2), 74–78.
Brock, C., et al. (2014). American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora): A review of its traditional use and modern research. Journal of Herbal Medicine, 4(3), 114–123.
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). (2023). EU Register of nutrition and health claims – authorised claims for magnesium, B-vitamins. Retrieved from https://food.ec.europa.eu/safety/labelling-and-nutrition/nutrition-and-health-claims/eu-register-health-claims_en
European Commission. (2023). On-hold botanical health claims: Valerian & hops combination (ID 2680); Melissa officinalis (ID 2302). Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/labelling_nutrition/claims/register/public/
Wolfson, P., & Hoffmann, D. L. (2003). An investigation into the efficacy of Scutellaria lateriflora in healthy volunteers. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 9(2), 74–78.
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t.: +371 67 323 499
hello@stopstress.de
The Science articles on StopStress.de are for general educational purposes only and do not constitute medical, nutritional, psychiatric, or regulatory advice. References to nutrients, botanicals, neurotransmitters, hormones, sleep or stress biology describe general scientific or traditional information and do not represent authorised EU health claims. Botanical mentions relate only to traditional use or their on-hold status under Article 13(1). Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using supplements, especially in case of medical conditions, pregnancy, nursing, or medication use. For authorised claims and botanical on-hold status, please refer to the official EU Register:
https://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/labelling_nutrition/claims/register/public/
https://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/labelling_nutrition/claims/register/public/