Beth’s Natural Way – Boneset

Truxton, NY
Phone/Fax: 607-842-6863
E-mail: bethsnaturalway@yahoo.com

In the area around Cortland, New York there are some herbs that are so plentiful and medicinal that every household should have some hanging in their rafters. Boneset is one of them. Boneset grows in wet areas like ditches, swamps and next to ponds. How this plant received its name is always up to discussion in any herbal class. We are taught that the name of a plant will always give an indication of what it is to be used for or what part of the body is healed by it. But the name, Boneset, makes it sound like it will heal bones. The properties of this herb show just the opposite. It does have to do with deep bone pain though. Boneset was once called ague weed. Ague is an old term for any disease marked by intermittent fever, chills and pain in the joints and bones. In the 1800’s, a physician, C.J. Hemple notes that Boneset signally relieved an epidemic of that time.

FOLK NAMES: Agueweed, feverwort, Indian sage, thoroughwort, sweating plant.

LATIAN NAME: Eupatorium perfoliatum.

ELEMENT: Water.

POWERS: Protection, exorcism.

MEDICINAL PARTS: Leaves, flower and root.

CONSTITUTES: Flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, immunostimulating polysaccharides (glycogen).

PROPERTIES: Antiphlogistic, a diaphoretic, a bitter, immune stimulator.
MAGICAL USES: Wards off evil spirits. To release negative feelings, make a tea and sprinkle around the house.

INTERNAL USES: Influenza, colds, acute bronchitis, excess mucus, skin diseases, lowers fever, reduces constipation, stimulates the immune system.

EXTERNAL USES: A strong tea can be used on skin afflictions. A bath with the tea will also help reduce fevers.

HARVEST: When in flower, hang to dry and then strip the leaves and flowers for use.
USE AS: Tea, extracts, powder, bath soak.

PRECAUTIONS: None known.

Vibrantly,
Beth Hill of Beth’s Natural Way!

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