Boneset - Treatment and Medical use of Boneset herb

Latin description: Eupatorium perfoliatum

Common Name: Agueweed, Boneset, Crosswort, Feverwort, Indian sage, Sweating plant, Thoroughwort, Vegetable Antimony

Parts Used: All parts useful; principally upper leaves and flowers. Dried for infusions; used fresh for extracts.

Medcinal Uses and Benefits of Boneset

• Has been combined with Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Elder (Sambucus nigra), Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), Ginger (Zingeber officinale), and Cayenne (Capsicum) for flu, (also Peppermint).
• Has been used like quinine for intermittant fever.
• Has been used traditionally for prevention and treatment of fevers, chills, typhoid fever, pneumonia, chronic ague, dyspepsia, debility, dropsy, nightsweats, bronchial congestion, acute bronchitis, respiratory allergies, constipation, flu, colds, excess mucous, rheumatism, bruises, broken bones, urinary tract infections, jaundice, and skin diseases.
• A thick syrup combining Boneset, Ginger, and Anise was used to treat coughs in children.
• Has also been combined for the same purpose with Comfrey (no longer recommended as safe due to presence of PA's) and Mint, or, with Chickweed and Anise, or with Catnip and Sage.
• Was used by Native Americans for aches, pains, rheumatism, and to assist in healing of broken bones as a topical plaster or poultice. They also employed an infusion of the leaves and flowers for indigestion, dyspepesia, catarrh, snakebite, pneumonia, malaria, typhoid, and for female disorders and bladder problems, although doses were limited to spoonfuls or 1/2 cup doses. Larger doses were used as an emetic and cathartic. A weak infusion of 1 tsp herb to 1 quart boiling water was used to treat rheumatism. The Iroquois, Menominee and Mohegan indians used boneset for colds and fevers. The Cree bathed in the steam of a boneset steambath for arthritic and rheumatic pain. The Meskwaki used a tea of the flowers and leaves as a vermifuge. Used by the Seneca as a tonic.
• Has been principally used for any fever that causes bone pain, it is bitter, astringent, tonic, antispasmodic, carminative, laxative, expectorant, immuno-stimulant, diaphoretic, antipyretic, relaxes mucous membranes. Affects circulatory (stimulant), structural, respiratory, and urinary systems.
• Was used by Confederate troops during the United States Civil War for fevers.
• When taken as a cold infusion, has tonic properties and is mildly laxative; has also been used 30 minutes before meals for loss of appetite and indigestion. Taken as a warm infusion, it was used to break up fever from colds and flu.
• Plantation slaves of North America used it to treat a particular type of pneumonia from which they often suffered.