menstruation along with a proper diet. A specific for deep, low pain of the coccyx (the vertebra at the
base of the spine), head complaints arising from watery matters of obstructions of phlegm in the head, or
from the gases rising to the head, stomach spasm; slight obstructions of phlegm on the chest and lungs are
healed at once by tea made of St. John’s wort. The tea with a small amount of aloe powder is of special
influence on the liver. This can be observed chiefly in the urine; whole flakes of morbid matter are
sometimes washed away with it.
J. Kloss, in Back to Eden, gives us the following: “The seeds steeped in boiling water will expel
congealed blood from the stomach caused by bruises, falls, or bursting veins. For this purpose use a
heaping teaspoonful of the seeds to a cup of boiling water, and take a large mouthful of the tea often,
throughout the day.”
DOSE: Of the tincture, 8–15 drops in water before meals. As a tea, 1 teaspoonful of the tops and flowers,
cut small or granulated, to 1 cupful of boiling water; sweeten to taste with honey.
EXTERNALLY: The fresh bruised flowers added to olive oil and placed in a glass container to age in the
sun for ten days to two weeks, after which time fresh flowers replace the old ones, and simmered in the
original container on a bed of straw (to keep the glass from breaking) is excellent for swollen breasts and
hard tumors, sciatic pain, ulcers, old sores, and all wounds. Can be applied as a fomentation of boiled
flowers and tops for the above mentioned when caught unprepared.
HOMEOPATHIC CLINICAL: Tincture of whole fresh plant for after-pains, asthma, bites, brachial neuralgia,
breast (affections of), brain (concussion of), bruises, bunions, compound fractures, corns, coxalgia,
diarrhea, gunshot wounds, hemorrhoids, headache, hydrophobia, hypersensitiveness, impotence, labor
(effects of), meningitis, mind (affections of), neuralgia, operations (effects of), panaritium, paralysis,
rheumatism, scars, sciatica, spastic paralysis, spinal concussion, spinal irritation, stiff neck, tetanus,
ulceration, whooping cough, wounds.
RUSSIAN EXPERIENCE: Zveroboi, “killing the beast,” or “beast killer,” grows in many parts of Russia.
After eating zveroboi (Hypericum) in the summertime, sheep, cattle, horses, and pigs develop white spots
and become extremely sensitive to sunshine, eventually developing skin eruptions. The animals will
recover if kept in a dark place, but a successful precaution is to paint them with nontoxic dark dye. This
can also happen with dry Hypericum (Medicine, Moscow, 1963). We are pleased to say human skin is not
sensitive in this way. This is a very old herbal remedy that has been on the forgotten list for too long. Folk
medicine: For generations folk medicine has used Zveroboi in many serious cases of acute and chronic
stomach disorders, gastroenteritis, liver, jaundice, kidney and bladder, ulcers, tuberculosis anemia,
scrofula, rheumatism, boils, carbuncles, hemorrhoids, coughs, and all inflamed processes. In many female
disorders, including excessive bleeding, preventive in bleeding and to dry wounds, ulcers (Bello-Russ.
Academy Minsk, 1965). To break bedwetting, 1 cupful of tea before retiring (Naukova Dumka, Kiev,
1963). A strong decoction of mouthwash to heal gums and offensive mouth odor. Simmer 1 tablespoonful
of the flowers in ½ glassful of water for 10 minutes, cool, strain, and gargle a mouthful before meals,
three times a day. Externally: The Medical Academy of Russia introduced a special external preparation,
“Imanin,” for skin conditions and burns, which is now used nationwide (Vishaya Schkola, Moscow,
1963). Extract with sunflower or sweet almond oil for skin ulcers and skin conditions: 1 part flowers to 2
parts of oil; keep at least three weeks. The fresh crushed flowers or juice can be used for skin conditions
of recent lesions, broken skin, bruises, eruptive skin, etc. Clinically: Used as astringent, disinfectant,
antiseptic, styptic, tonic, in the forms of extracts, tinctures, decoctions, and tea. Industrial: Depending on
strength, colors of yellow, green, red, and pink are made and used for fabric dyes. Collection of wild
Hypericum cannot keep up with the growing demand, so in Russia they have special plantations. Two or
three months before spring seeding they mix the seeds with wet sand and keep in freezing compartments at
0°C. They plan on 3–4 pounds of seed per acre. Once it is planted, the plant is good for four or five years.