Yuma Herb and Spice Shop

Common boneset has many names: thoroughwort, Indian safe, hemp weed, feverwort, agueweed, and sweating-plant. With a name like sweating-plant, it may not come as a surprise that, when drunk as a hot tea, it will cause a sweat. It was used to promote perspiration during periods of physical discomfort and, in fact, was one of the herbs used by early settlers. One might wonder, with the many layers of linen and woolen garments worn by the men and women of that period, and with the constant physical labor they endured and the lack of central air conditioning, why would anyone have required the assistance of an herb to make them sweat?

The leaf, stem and flowers are made into a tea or tonic, usually with other herbs to temper bitterness. When brewed as a tea, Boneset is often combined with echinacea and other immune stimulants for the aforementioned purposes. Combining with elder flowers and yarrow flowers is also helpful, as is the addition of catnip, depending upon the desired result and one’s personal taste. Boneset can also be used to make water or alcohol-based skin toners, or infused in oil to make salves and balms.

Many people value boneset as part of traditional wellness practices, but due to toxic compounds called pyrrolizidine alkaloids, it should only be used short-term (under 1 to 2 weeks) and avoided by pregnant individuals, those with liver disease, or those who are allergic to plants in the daisy family.