mad-dog skullcap

Thân thiện

A gardener carefully harvests mad-dog skullcap from her herb garden.

Definition

Noun: - A North American perennial herb: "mad-dog skullcap" refers to a specific species of mint plant (Scutellaria lateriflora) native to North America. It is characterized by its helmet-shaped flowers. - A source of medicinal resin: Historically, this plant was valued for the resinous substance it produces, which was used for its therapeutic properties.

Usage

• The term is used specifically in botanical and historical medical contexts to identify this plant and its traditional use.
  • Botanists identified the blue-flowered plant as mad-dog skullcap.
  • In 19th-century medicine, mad-dog skullcap was a common ingredient in remedies.

Advanced Usage

• The name "mad-dog" is historical, reflecting its former use in treatments for ailments like rabies (hydrophobia) and nervous conditions, though this use is not supported by modern science.
  • The common name mad-dog skullcap hints at its antiquated medicinal applications.

Variants and Related Words

• Skullcap (n): The common name for plants in the genus , referring to the shape of the calyx. "Mad-dog skullcap" is one specific species within this group.
  • Several varieties of skullcap grow in this region.
• Blue skullcap (n): Another common name for , describing the color of its flowers.
• Virginia skullcap (n): A regional name for the same plant.

Synonyms

• Scutellaria lateriflora (n): The botanical Latin name for the plant.
• Blue skullcap (n): A descriptive common synonym.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an American mint that yields a resinous exudate used especially formerly as an antispasmodic

Từ đồng nghĩa

• blue pimpernel
• blue skullcap
• mad-dog weed
• Scutellaria lateriflora