Boneset
OTHER NAME(S): Agueweed, Bois Perfolié, Crosswort, Eupatoire, Feverwort, Herbe à Fièvre, Herbe à Souder, Indian Sage, Sweating Plant, Teasel, Thoroughwort, Vegetable Antimony, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Eupatorio, Eupatoire Perfoliée
Overview
Boneset is a plant. People use the dried leaf and flowers to make medicine.
Boneset has been used for influenza (flu), the common cold, symptoms of lung infections, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Boneset contains chemicals that might have some mild activity against bacteria.
Boneset contains chemicals that might have some mild activity against bacteria.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Common cold. Early research suggests that taking a specific homeopathic product made from boneset reduces symptoms of the common cold similarly to aspirin.
- Constipation.
- Causing vomiting.
- Fluid retention.
- Aching muscles.
- Reducing inflammation.
- Stimulating the immune system.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of boneset for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Boneset is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. It can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting. Also, some plants that are related to boneset contain chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids. These chemicals can damage the liver. It is not known if boneset contains these same liver-damaging chemicals.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Boneset is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. It can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting. Also, some plants that are related to boneset contain chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids. These chemicals can damage the liver. It is not known if boneset contains these same liver-damaging chemicals.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Because boneset may contain liver-damaging chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids, it is considered POSSIBLY UNSAFE. These same chemicals could harm the developing baby. Don't use it if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Boneset may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking boneset.
Liver disease: Boneset contains chemicals called hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). These chemicals might harm the liver, making existing liver disease worse.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications that increase break down of other medications by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inducers) interacts with BonesetBoneset is broken down by the liver. Some chemicals that form when the liver breaks down boneset can be harmful. Medications that cause the liver to break down boneset might enhance the toxic effects of chemicals contained in boneset. Some of the medications include carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), rifampin, rifabutin (Mycobutin), and others.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of boneset depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for boneset. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
- Chojkier M. Hepatic sinusoidal-obstruction syndrome: toxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. J Hepatol 2003;39:437-46.
- Roeder E. Medicinal plants in Europe containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Pharmazie 1995;50:83-98.
- Habtemariam S, Macpherson AM. Cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of ethanol extract from leaves of a herbal drug, boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum). Phytother Res 2000;14:575-7. .
- Wang YP, Yan J, Fu PP, Chou MW. Human liver microsomal reduction of pyrrolizidine alkaloid N-oxides to form the corresponding carcinogenic parent alkaloid. Toxicol Lett 2005;155:411-20.
- Wagner, H. and Jurcic, K. [Immunologic studies of plant combination preparations. In-vitro and in-vivo studies on the stimulation of phagocytosis]. Arzneimittelforschung. 1991;41(10):1072-1076.
- Gassinger, C. A., Wunstel, G., and Netter, P. [A controlled clinical trial for testing the efficacy of the homeopathic drug eupatorium perfoliatum D2 inthe treatment of common cold (author's transl)]. Arzneimittelforschung. 1981;31(4):732-736.
- Herz, W., Kalyanaraman, P. S., and Ramakrishnan, G. Sesquiterpene lactones of Eupatorium perfoliatum. J Org.Chem 6-24-1977;42(13):2264-2271.
- Colegate SM, Upton R, Gardner DR, Panter KE, Betz JM. Potentially toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Eupatorium perfoliatum and three related species. Implications for herbal use as boneset. Phytochem Anal. 2018;29(6):613-626.