boneset

boneset

Herbal medicine
(1) Comfrey, see there; Symphytum officinal.
(2) Eupatorium perfoliatum, agueweed, crosswort, feverwort, Indian sage, thoroughwort. A perennial herb which contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, flavonoids (e.g., eupatorin, quer-cetin, rutin), terpenoids, volatile oil (tremerol and resin; it is antipyretic and diaphoretic, and has been used for arthritis, colds, diarrhoea, malaria, respiratory congestion, rheumatic complaints, snakebites, as a digestive tonic and was regarded by some herbalists as a cure-all. Boneset owes its name to its efficacy in treating breakbone fever.
 
Toxicity
Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting; fresh boneset contains the toxin tremerol, which causes vomiting, shortness of breath and, if in excess, coma and death; boneset is hepatotoxic due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

bone·set

(bōn'set)

Herbal made from leaves of Eupatorium perfoliatum; long history of use; purported value as antiinflammatory and antipyretic; used in treatment of URI; employed in Native American medicine as an antimalarial in the 17th century.
Synonym(s): agueweed, crosswort, feverwort, vegetable antimony.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012