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Boneset
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Compositae
Citations
Names : Feverwort
Habitat : N. America
Collection : Boneset should be collected as soon as the flowers open in
August or September.
Part Used : Dried aerial parts
Constituents : o Sesquiterpene lactones ; eupafolin, euperfolitin,
eufoliatin, eufoliatorin,
euperfolide, eucannabinolide and helenalin
o Immunostimulatory polysaccharides, mainly 4-0-methylglucuroxylans
o Flavonoids; quercitin, kaempferol, hyperoside, astragalin, rutin,
eupatorin
& others
o 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 intermittant 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 infuenza 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.
Combinations : In the treatment of influenza it may be combined with
Yarrow, Elder Flowers, Cayenne or Ginger. With Pleurisy Root and
Elecampane in bronchial conditions.
Preparations & 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 be drunk every half hour. Tincture: take 2-4ml of the
tincture three times a day.
The herbalist by David Hoffman, (c)1993 David Hoffman, Hopkins
Technology
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