Boneset

Eupatorium perfoliatum

Boneset is a member of the sunflower family. There are at least 30 species of Boneset. Sometimes people confuse it with comfrey, which is also occasionally called boneset (or knitbone).

Boneset has been used for many medicinal reasons including; the flu, colds, sore throats, catarrh, bronchitis, to increase sweat, to help break a fever, for menstrual irregularity, eplisepsy, to support the kidneys, to induce vomiting, for snakebite, for worms, as a laxative, for skin complaints and for stomachache. It appears to stimulate the immune system. It has also been used as a spring tonic and as a detoxifier. It has been applied externally for arthritis and rheumatism.

Some people hang the dried leaves around the stable to keep away wasps and flies or consider growing some plants near by.

In America boneset has been used successfully in combination with other herbs to build the immune system and treat EPM (Equine Protzoan Myeloencephalitis)