Limited evidenceImmunity

Boneset

A North American herb once widely used for fevers and influenza. Modern research has characterised its chemistry and found immune activity in cell cultures, but no controlled trial in humans has ever been published.

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What the science says

Traditional fever use is undocumented in trials Limited evidence
A phytochemical and ethnopharmacological review of Eupatorium perfoliatum described immunomodulatory and antiviral effects in laboratory systems and noted that clinical evidence for the traditional influenza indication is absent.
Antiviral activity in cell culture Limited evidence
An in-vitro study reported that boneset extract inhibited dengue virus replication in infected cells through effects on mTOR signalling and autophagy. This is a laboratory finding in an unrelated virus, not evidence for treating colds or flu.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseNo studied dose. Traditional preparation is roughly 1–2 g of dried aerial parts as a hot infusion; commercial tinctures follow their own labels.

SafetyBoneset contains sesquiterpene lactones and, in some analyses, trace pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are potentially liver-toxic with prolonged use — do not use continuously or in liver disease. Large doses cause nausea and vomiting. Avoid in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and in people allergic to the daisy family.

How to take it

TimingTiming does not matter; traditional use is as a hot infusion during an acute illness.

With food?Either way, though large doses on an empty stomach reliably cause vomiting.

Worth knowingKeep it to a few days at a time — the liver concern is about prolonged use, not a single cup.

Interactions

With other supplements

comfrey, coltsfoot, butterbur and other herbs that can contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids
Pyrrolizidine alkaloid exposure is cumulative and liver-toxic. do not stack them, and do not use any of them continuously

Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.

Frequently asked questions

Does boneset work for flu or fever?

Boneset has no controlled human trials, so the evidence for flu and fever is limited to tradition. Reviews found only laboratory immune and antiviral effects, and clinical evidence for the influenza use is absent.

Is boneset safe to take?

Boneset contains sesquiterpene lactones and, in some analyses, trace pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are potentially liver-toxic with prolonged use, so use it only for a few days and not at all in liver disease. Avoid boneset in pregnancy, breastfeeding and if you are allergic to the daisy family.

Can I take boneset with comfrey or butterbur?

No. Comfrey, coltsfoot and butterbur can contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids like boneset, and the liver-toxic exposure is cumulative, so do not stack them or use any of them continuously.

How is boneset taken?

No dose of boneset has been studied; traditional use is roughly 1–2 g of dried aerial parts as a hot infusion during an acute illness. Large doses, especially on an empty stomach, reliably cause nausea and vomiting.

Scientific references

Eupatorium perfoliatum L.: phytochemistry, traditional use and current applications
Hensel A, Maas M, Sendker J, Lechtenberg M, Petereit F, Deters A, Schmidt T, Stark T — J Ethnopharmacol, 2011
In-vitro antiviral action of Eupatorium perfoliatum against dengue virus infection: Modulation of mTOR signaling and autophagy
Sinha M, Chakraborty U, Kool A, Chakravarti M, Das S, Ghosh S, Thakur L, Khuranna A, Nayak D, Basu B, Kar S, Ray R, Das S — J Ethnopharmacol, 2022

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Herbal medicines: what the evidence says (335)