Eupatorium perfoliatum.   Boneset, Feverwort, Thoroughwort   Family: Asteraceae  
Eupatorium perfoliatum or (common) boneset is a common North American perennial plant in the sunflower family. It is native to the Eastern United States and Canada. It is also called "agueweed", "feverwort" or "sweating-plant". It was introduced to American colonists by Indians who used the plant for breaking fevers by means of heavy sweating. It is nearly always found in low, wet areas and is often found near Phalaris arundinacea (reed canary grass).
PART USED: Aerial parts- Gathered during the flowering period.
TASTE: Aromatic and bitter. Astringent and persistantly bitter
ACTIONS
GROUP: The circulatory System- Diaphoretics.
1. Expectorant.[3] Diaphoretics.[3]
2. Antispasmodic.
3. Aperient.
4. Febrifuge.[3]
5. Tonic.[3]
6. Laxative.[3]
INDICATIONS
1. Influenza, especially with musculo-skeletal aching and mucosal congestion. Catarrh,[3] especially naso-pharyngeal.[1,2] Colds. Acute bronchitis.[1,2,3]
2. All conditions with bone pain especially bone pain and  muscle spasm accompanying febrile diseases.
3. All fevers including intermittent and bilious fevers.
4. Skin diseases.[3]
COMBINATIONS
- Influenza, with Yarrow, Elderflower and Pleurisy root. Capsicum or Ginger may be combined if desired.
PREPARATIONS   3X /day
Dried herb  1-2 g, or by infusion 1:20.[1,2]
Powdered herb 0.5-1.0 g..[3]
Fluid Extract   1:1 in 25% alcohol  1-2 ml.[1,2] 2-4 ml.[3]
Solid extract 0.3-0.5 g.[3]
Tincture  1:5 in 45% alcohol  1-4 ml.[1,2]
ORIGIN: Eastern and Central North America.
DESCRIPTION:  Grows up to 100 cm tall, with leaves that clasp the stems. Perennial herb with opposite leaves, 10-15 cm long, lanceolate, tapering to a narrow point and united at the base. The margin is crenate and shiny yellow points due to the resin glands, are visible on the undersurface. The flowers are small and inconspicuous and occur in cymose-paniculate inflorescences.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally
Constituents
Research
Both the polysaccharides and the sesquiterpene lactones are immunistimulatory in low concentrations; they enhance phagocytosis in vitro.[1,2]
An extract of the plant has been shown to be weakly anti-inflammatory in rats.[3]
Some of the sesquiterpene lactones, and also eupatorin, are known to exhibit cytotoxic activity in vitro,[1] and are awaiting antineoplastic in vivo testing.
References
1. Wagner, H. (1972) Phytochem. 11, 1504
2. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients used in Food Drugs and Cosmetics, Albert Y. Leung. Pub. John Wiley & Sons Inc. (1980) NY.
3. Benoit, P.S. et al. (1976) Lloydia 39, 160

Anti-inflammatory activity of Eupatorium perfoliatum L. extracts, eupafolin, and dimeric guaianolide via iNOS inhibitory activity and modulation of inflammation-related cytokines and chemokines.
Maas M, Deters AM, Hensel A.
Author information
1University of Münster, Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, Hittorfstraße 56, D-48149 Münster, Germany.
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:
Eupatorium perfoliatum L. has been used traditionally for the treatment of fever, malaria and inflammation-associated diseases. Nowadays it is mostly used as immune activating remedy. The following study was performed to evaluate extracts with different polarity and defined lead-compounds from the herbal material on potential in vitro activities concerning immune cell activation, phagocytosis, and inflammation-related processes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
MeOH-, EtOH-, and DCM extracts, beside several subfractions and isolated polysaccharides, sesquiterpene lactones and flavonoids were prepared and characterized analytically from the aerial parts of E. perfoliatum. Immunological activity was tested within lymphocyte transformation test on PBMC, test on enhancement of phagocytosis and of NO-production by murine RAW 264.7 macrophages. Anti-inflammatory effects were assessed from LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by NO/iNOS quantification, gene array, real-time PCR and ELISA.
RESULTS:
No stimulatory activity was found within lymphocyte transformation test, for phagocytic activity and NO formation in macrophages. MeOH-, EtOH- and DCM extracts showed anti-inflammatory activity against LPS-stimulated macrophages by inhibition of NO release (IC(50)>100, 89, 19 µg/mL resp.) with eupafolin and a dimeric guaianolide having prominent NO inhibiting activity (IC(50) 6 resp. 16 µM). Anti-inflammatory activity was found on gene and protein level by significant down-regulation of cytokines CSF-3, IL-1a, IL-1ß, and chemokines CCL2, CCL22 and CXCL10. Also TNF was down-regulated moderately (-17%).
CONCLUSIONS:
Although the postulated immunostimulating properties of E. perfoliatum have not been confirmed, the anti-inflammatory effects can be seen as a verification of the traditional use against inflammatory diseases.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2011 Sep 1;137(1):371-81. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.05.040. Epub 2011 Jun 6. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov