Boneset Information and Facts

Scientific Name(S): Eupatorium perfoliatum L. Family: Asteraceae

Common Name(S): Boneset, thoroughwort, vegetable antimony, feverwort, agueweed, Indian sage, sweating plant, eupatorium, crosswort

Boneset is a member of the Sunflower Family (Asteracea) and is native to the eastern two-thirds of the U.S. and Canada. Boneset is very common and can be found growing along streams and in low meadows.

Botany: A ubiquitous plant found growing in swamps, marshes and shores from Canada to Florida and west to Texas and Nebraska. The plant is easily recognized by its long, narrow, tapering leaves that oppose each other around a single stout stem giving the impression of one long leaf pierced at the center by the stem. Hence its name "perfolia," meaning "through the leaves." The plant grows from July to October to a height of 3 to 4 feet, flowering in late summer with white blossoms. The entire plant is hairy and light green in color.

History: Boneset has been used as a charm and as a medicinal remedy for centuries by the North American Indians. As a charm, the root fibers were applied to hunting whistles, believing they would increase the whistle's ability to call deer. As an herbal remedy, Indians used boneset as an antipyretic. The early settlers used the plant to treat rheumatisms, dropsy, dengue fever, pneumonia and influenza. The name "bonesef" was derived from the plant's use in the treatment of break-bone fever, a term describing the high fever that often accompanies influenza.

Uses of Boneset

Colds and Flu: European studies show this herb helps treat minor viral and bacterial infections by stimulating white blood cells to destroy disease-causing microorganisms more effectively. In Germany, where herbal medicine is more main-stream than it is in the United States, physicians currently use boneset to treat viral infections, such as colds and flu.

Arthritis:  One study shows boneset is mildly anti-inflammatory, lending some support to its traditional use in treating arthritis.

It may ease the symptoms of muscular rheumatism treatment. Test tube studies have also indicated that boneset can stimulate immune cell function.

Side Effects of Boneset

Large amounts of teas or extracts can cause severe diarrhea. Because of liver damage and other toxic effects of its alkaloids, the use of boneset is discouraged.

Dosage

Traditionally, boneset is taken as a tea or tincture. To prepare a tea, boiling water is added to 1/4-1/2 teaspoon (1-2 grams) of the herb and allowed to steep, covered, for ten to fifteen minutes. Three cups (750 ml) a day may be taken (the tea is quite bitter). Tincture, 1/4-3/4 teaspoon (1-4 ml) three times per day, is also often taken.

Toxicology: Although few reports of adverse effects have been reported with the use of boneset, the FDA has classified this plant as an "Herb of Undefined Safety." Large amounts of teas or extracts result in severe diarrhea. The identification of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Eupatorium species is disconcerting. This class of alkaloids is known to cause hepatic impairment after long-term ingestion. While direct evidence for a hepatotoxic effect from boneset does not exist, there is sufficient evidence to indicate that any plant containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids should not be ingested.

The sesquiterpene lactones of the related species E. cannabinum L. have been reported to induce contact dermatitis, although no documented cross-allergenicity to E. perfoliatum has been reported.

A toxic unsaturated alcohol called tremetrol may cause hypoglycemia and may induce fatty degeneration of the liver and kidneys as well as gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Symptoms of toxicity are often observed in grazing animals and include weakness, nausea, loss of appetite, thirst and constipation. Animals may show muscle trembling and drooling progressing to muscle paralysis and death. Milk sickness in humans has been attributed to boneset poisoning from animals. These symptoms also are seen after ingestion of the related E. rugosum (white snakeroot) and the activation of a toxic component by the cytochrome P450 system appears to be required for the toxic effect to occur.

Summary: Boneset is an old, popular remedy for the treatment of fever. There are no controlled studies evaluating its safety or effectiveness in the treatment of fevers. Although its use was denounced by the editors of the 25th edition of the US Dispensatory who noted that boneset "is never prescribed by the medical profession," a variety of unique pharmacologic activities have been characterized suggesting that further studies are warranted to establish the clinical value of this plant and its extracts. Until the safety of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids present in boneset is better understood, the use of this plant should be discouraged.