Skullcap Flowering Ariel from NOW Foods here at Supplementstogo.com. Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is a perennial herb that belongs to the mint family. Native to North America and cultivated in Europe, various species of Skullcap have a long history of use in Chinese, European and American Indian traditional herbal medicine. During the eighteenth century it was referred to as mad-dog weed due to its use as a treatment for rabies. Skullcap has been used in the past primarily as a calmative and a digestive aid, and is known for its calming effects. In addition, Skullcap supports healthy liver function, which assists the body in detoxification.