toll-free: 1 888 531-8483
Herb Reference » Boneset

Boneset

Eupatorium perfoliatum Compositae

Boneset is one the best remedies for the relief of the associated symptoms that accompany influenza.

Common namesfeverwort
HabitatNorth America
Constituents Sesquiterpene lactones: eupafolin, euperfolitin, eufoliatin, eufoliatorin, euperfolide, eucannabinolide and helenalin
Immunostimulatory polysaccharides, mainly 4-0-methylglucuroxylans
Flavonoids: quercitin, kaempferol, hyperoside, astragalin, rutin, eupatorin and others
Miscellaneous: diterpenes - dendroidinic acid, hebenolide, sterols, volatile oil
Actions diaphoretic, bitter, laxative, tonic, anti-spasmodic, carminative, astringent
Indications

Boneset is one the best remedies for the relief of the associated symptoms that accompany influenza. It will speedily relieve the aches and pains as well as aid the body in dealing with any fever that is present. Boneset may also be used to help clear the upper respiratory tract of mucous congestion. Its mild aperient activity will ease constipation. It may safely be used in any fever and also as a general cleansing agent. It may provide symptomatic aid in the treatment of muscular rheumatism.

Priest & Priest tell us that it is a stimulating, tonic and antispasmodic diaphoretic; indicated for influenzal epidemics and febrile conditions arising in marshy districts. Acts upon the gastro-hepatic organs and promotes secretion and excretion of bile." They give the following specific indications: Influenzal colds & fevers with night sweats and aching bones. Pulmonary inflammation/catarrh with cough and chest soreness. Post-influenzal gastric irritation with biliousness and constipation. Skin diseases & eruptive fevers of hepatic origin.

It is worth quoting from Kings American Dispensatory at length here:

As a tonic, it is useful in remittent, intermittent, and typhoid fevers, dyspepsia, and general debility. In intermittent fever, a strong infusion, as hot as can be comfortably swallowed, is administered for the purpose of vomiting freely. This is also attended with profuse diaphoresis, and sooner or later by an evacuation of the bowels. During the intermission, the cold infusion or extract is given every hour as a tonic and antiperiodic. The chill and succeeding fever is slight, the skin dry, and not, as a rule, followed by perspiration; there are pains in the bones, praecordial oppression, and great thirst. If, however, the case is one in which the fever lasts all day, a slight sweating may follow at night. Another indication in ague is vomiting, especially of much bile. Eupatorium given as above, or sometimes in small doses, may relieve headache of intermittent character when the intermissions are irregular. In epidemic influenza the warm infusion is valuable as an emetic and diaphoretic, likewise in febrile diseases, catarrh, colds, with hoarseness and pleuritic pains, and wherever such effects are indicated. In influenza it relieves the pain in the limbs and back. Its popular name boneset is derived from its well-known property of relieving the deep seated pains in the limbs which accompany this disorder, and colds and rheumatism often this pain is periosteal, and if neuralgic in character, or due to a febrile condition, Eupatorium will relieve it. But it is not a remedy for periosteal pain due to inflammation or to organic changes in the periosteum. On the other hand, when given until the patient sweats, and then continued in 5-drop doses of specific eupatorium it has relieved the severe nocturnal muscular and bone pains of syphilis. It is a remedy for the cough of the aged, that cough in which there is an abundance of secretion, but lack of power to expectorate. The cough of measles, common colds, of asthma, and hoarseness are also relieved by it. Unless given in excess it acts as a good tonic to the gastric functions, increasing the appetite and power of digestion. The stomach disorders of the inebriate are, in a measure corrected by the use of small, tonic doses of Eupatorium.
CombinationIn the treatment of influenza it may be combined with yarrow, elder flowers, cayenne, or ginger; with pleurisy root and elecampane in bronchial conditions.
Preparation & dosage
Infusion
pour a cup of boiling water onto l-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for l0-l5 minutes. This should be drunk as hot as possible. During fevers or the flu it should bedrunk every half hour.
Tincture
Take 2-4 ml of the tincture three times a day.
© David L. Hoffmann B.Sc. (Hons), M.N.I.M.H.