FolkKB

Dragon's Head

Dracocephalum

Dracocephalum, a genus of plants native to Europe and Asia, has traditionally been used sparingly or not at all in herbal medicine. Scientific evidence indicates that extracts from Dracocephalum botryoides exhibit promising antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antibiofilm activities with minimal toxicity against skin cells. Additionally, the use of Dracocephalum in offspring of stressed parents showed significant reductions in seizure frequency and duration, as well as prolonged latency to onset. In another study, combining phenylalanine with A. niger extract enhanced total phenolic and flavonoid accumulation in D. kotschyi hairy roots. Tiliacorin from Dracocephalum moldavica demonstrated potential antipsychotic effects by restoring PDE10A/cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathways, though more research is needed to confirm these findings. No major safety concerns or drug interactions have been recorded for this genus of plants.

At a glance
Best evidence
D
Cautions
—

Informational only. Traditional use does not mean proven effectiveness. Evidence and safety vary — check the cited sources.

What the science says

  • The essential oil from Dracocephalum botryoides showed notable antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antibiofilm activities with low cytotoxicity against HaCaT cells. D PMID
  • The combined application of 10 mM phenylalanine and 1.5 mg/L A. niger extract maximized total phenolic and flavonoid accumulation in D. kotschyi hairy roots. D PMID
  • DM extract treatment during gametogenesis reduced seizure frequency and duration in offspring of stressed rats without affecting their body weight gain. D PMID
  • Tilianin from Dracocephalum moldavica showed potential as an antipsychotic by restoring PDE10A/cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling in a mouse model of schizophrenia. D PMID
  • The genus Dracocephalum contains polyphenols including flavonoids and phenolic acids, with some species used traditionally in ethnomedical systems. D PMID
  • The effects of aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3NPs) on Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss varied with dose, promoting growth at 50 ppm while inhibiting it at 1000 ppm. D PMID

Frequently asked questions

What is Dragon's Head?

Dragon's Head (Dracocephalum) is a plant documented in FolkKB's traditional-medicine reference, drawn from sourced literature and cross-checked against the evidence.

What does the scientific evidence say about Dragon's Head?

6 sourced findings are recorded for Dragon's Head; the strongest carries evidence grade D. For example: The essential oil from Dracocephalum botryoides showed notable antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antibiofilm activities with low cytotoxicity against HaCaT cells.

How strong is the evidence for Dragon's Head?

The strongest finding for Dragon's Head carries evidence grade D — preliminary or traditional. Grades run A (strongest) to D (preliminary or traditional).

Is Dragon's Head safe? What are the side effects?

No major safety issues are recorded for Dragon's Head in our sources, but the data may be incomplete. Consult a qualified professional before use.

Does Dragon's Head interact with medications?

No drug interactions are recorded for Dragon's Head in our sources. This does not rule them out — check with a pharmacist.

What are the common names of Dragon's Head?

Dragon's Head is also known as: Змееголовник, Dracocéphale.

Is Dragon's Head a proven treatment?

No. FolkKB is informational only. Traditional use and early findings are not proof of efficacy or safety — consult a qualified professional and never self-treat.

Sources

  1. T2 Synergistic effects of Aspergillus niger ATCC 13794 and phenylalanine precursor feeding on enhancing phenolic compound biosynthesis in Dracocephalum kotschyi boiss: hairy roots culture. literature abstract metadata
  2. T2 The bilateral effects of Al2O3NPs on Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss: Insights from physiological responses, antioxidant defense efficacy, and phytochemical yield. literature abstract metadata
  3. T2 Chemical Composition, Antimicrobial, Antibiofilm Activities, and Cytotoxicity of the Essential Oil of Dracocephalum botryoides Stev. literature abstract metadata
  4. T2 Effects of Pregestational Stress and Concomitant Administration of Dracocephalum moldavica Extract on Seizure Behaviours in Next Generation Developing Rats. literature abstract metadata
  5. T2 Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Dracocephalum Species Native to Kazakhstan: A Comprehensive Review. literature abstract metadata
  6. T2 Integrated network pharmacology and UHPLC-Q-TOF LC-MS/MS phytochemical profiling demonstrate tilianin-mediated restoration of PDE10A/cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling in an MK-801-induced schizophrenia-like model. literature abstract metadata

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