Witnessed by: Western
Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), of the Asteraceae family. Tall hairy perennial whose opposite leaves are joined at the base so the stem seems to pierce them; native range: wet meadows, marshes and stream banks of eastern North America. Globally recognized as thoroughwort, feverwort, agueweed, sweating plant in English. The part used is flowering tops and leaves. Rough greyish herb with flat heads of dull-white florets, strongly and persistently bitter.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
BONESET
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- boneset
- Scientific name
- Eupatorium perfoliatum L.
- Family
- Asteraceae
Form
- Part used
- flowering tops and leaves
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- bitter
Temperature
- Western
- warm
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- digestion · immune · bowels
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- diaphoretic, febrifuge, bitter tonic, immunostimulant, laxative (aperient), emetic in large dose
Cautions
- Contraindications
- avoid in pregnancy; caution in allergy to the daisy family
- Toxicity
- large doses purge and vomit; contains unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids, so prolonged use is discouraged
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