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 non-toxic dark dye. This can also happen with dry Hypericum( Medicine, Moscow, 1963). We are pleased to say our skin type is not sensitive in this way. This is a very old herbal remedy that has been on the forgotten list for too long. Of late, the rediscovery can explain its complicated chemical compound and its wide use in medicine and industry. 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, TB anaemia, scrofula, rheumatism, boils, carbuncles, haemorrhoids, 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 bed-wetting, 1 cupful of tea before retiring( Naukova Dumka, Kiev, 1963). A strong decoction of mouthwash to heal gums and offensive mouth odour. Simmer 1 tablespoonful of the flowers in ½ glassful of water for 10 min., cool, strain and gargle a mouthful before meals, three times a day. Externally: 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, colours 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 lb. of seed per acre. Once it is planted, the life is good for four or five years. Zveroboi is harvested when the flower is in full bloom; after thirty to forty-five days it can again be harvested, sometimes yielding as larger and richer crop than the first. The first year they collect on the average up to 2,000 lb. of dry herb; in following years 3,000 – 4,000 lb. It comes to the State collecting stations and is processed as tea, extracts and other preparations.
STAR GRASS Aletris farinosa, L.( N. O.: Haemodoraceae)
Common Names: Ague Root, Crow Corn, True Unicorn Root, Colic Root. Features: Star grass is the name given to a variety of plants which have star-shaped flowers. Among them is Aletris farinosa, a perennial herb, indigenous to North America and which grows in low, sandy soils and at the edges of woods.
The tuberous rhizome and bitter fibrous root is covered by smooth, lanceolate leaves lying on the ground in a flat rosette from which arises a tall, stiff stem, terete and sometimes 3 ft. high, with narrow bract-like leaves. It is crowned by a variegated, spike-like raceme of bell-shaped white flowers, just touched with yellow, and having an appearance of crinkliness, like crepe, as they grow old, and is covered with a rough powder externally. Flowers in May to August. The fruit is a triangular capsule. Medicinal Part: The dried root. Solvent: Alcohol is its best solvent.