Boneset
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Synonyms: Eupatorium chapmanii, Uncasia perfoliata, Uncasia truncata, Eupatorium perfoliatum f. purpureum, Eupatorium perfoliatum f. trifolium, Eupatorium perfoliatum f. laciniatum, Eupatorium perfoliatum f. truncatum, Eupatorium connatum, Eupatorium perfoliatum var. cuneatum, Uncasia cuneata, Eupatorium perfoliatum var. colpophilum, Eupatorium perfoliatum var. truncatum, Eupatorium serotinum var. polyneuron, Eupatorium polyneuron, Cunigunda perfoliata
Western Herbalism Properties
Gallery
Botanical Description
Eupatorium perfoliatum is a stout, erect perennial herb of the Asteraceae family, typically 70 to 150 centimetres tall, growing from a knotty rhizome with fibrous roots and producing one or several densely hairy, often purple-spotted stems. The most distinctive feature lies in the leaves, which are opposite, lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, 8 to 20 centimetres long and 2 to 5 centimetres wide, with finely serrate margins, a long-acuminate apex, a coarsely wrinkled and conspicuously veined upper surface, and bases that are fused around the stem so that paired leaves form a single perfoliate disc through which the stem appears to grow. The terminal, flat-topped, dense corymbs carry numerous small heads, each 4 to 7 millimetres across, of dull white tubular disc florets only (no ray florets), subtended by overlapping pubescent phyllaries. The fruit is a slender, black, five-angled achene 1.5 to 2 millimetres long bearing a tuft of fine bristly white pappus. Native to moist meadows, marshes, low fields, swamps and damp ditches across eastern and central North America.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
Boneset was one of the most widely employed indigenous febrifuges of eastern North America. The Iroquois used infusions and decoctions of the plant for fevers and chills, as a general tonic, as an emetic, for venereal complaints, and to treat colds (Herrick, 1977). The Cherokee similarly took an infusion of the leaves as a febrifuge and for colds, as a kidney aid, and for snakebite (Hamel and Chiltoskey, 1975). The Mohegan considered it one of their most important fever and cold remedies (Tantaquidgeon, 1972). It was widely adopted into nineteenth-century Eclectic American practice as a classical diaphoretic, tonic, and bitter (King's American Dispensatory, 1898).
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.