Chinese skullcap, Scutellaria baicalensis, also known as 'baical skullcap' is one of the 50 fundamental herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is quite different in its function from the American Scutellaria lateriflora and is not to be confused. One of the ways to tell them apart, is by the plant part used, with American skullcap the aerial portion is most sought after, and with the Chinese skullcap it is the root.