Boneset

Eupatorium perfoliatum

The name “Boneset” come from the fact that the leaves of this herb were once used to treat “break-bone (or dengue) fever.”  Boneset was a common home remedy of both Native Americans and early settlers in the 1800’s, and was widely used for flue epidemics in N. America and Europe.  Though little research has been conducted on this plant recently, compounds in the plant have been shown to stimulate the immune system.  A European cousin of this plant, E. cannabinum, also appears to stimulate the immune system.  However, both also contain potentially liver-harming pyrrolizidine alkaloids, and so are only to be used with caution.

Family:  Composite/Asteraceae
Life cycle:  Herbaceous perennial (Zones 3-9)
Native:  Can be found wild on wet sites from Nova Scotia to Florida, and throughout the eastern ½ of North America.
Height: 2-5 feet.
Sun:  Full sun to partial shade.
Soil:  Prefers a rich, moist soil.
Water:   Natural habitat is on wet sites, and plant prefers regular, deep watering.  However, Boneset also appears to withstand Kansas heat and drought fairly well.
Flowers:  White to pale purple flowers, in flat clusters, July-Oct.
Propagation:  Easily propagated from seeds or cuttings.  Take cuttings before the plant has flowered.  Seeds will germinate without stratification, but will germinate better with stratification.  Germination time is typically 2-3 weeks, with up to 80-90% germination.  Older plants can be divided and replanted in the spring.  Recommend planting on 18 to 24 inch centers, with row spacing of 24 to 30 inches, as each plant will form a clump.
Pests:   No major pests mentioned in the literature or observed in the field.
Harvesting:   Harvest above ground portion when flowers are starting in early or mid-summer.  Dry quickly, or it will start to decompose.  A second, fall harvest may be possible.
Parts used:  Aerial parts.
Used as:  tea, tincture, homeopathic remedy
Medicinal Benefits:  The herb acts as an antiphlogistic, a diaphoretic, and a bitter, in addition to stimulating the immune system.
Market Potential:  Low to medium.  This was a once popular herb for colds and flu.  Most is wild-crafted now, but buyers may prefer to buy from a known, organic source.  Warnings of liver toxicity may limit its popularity or wide-spread use.  Current retail prices range from $10.36 - $23.15 per lb dw.

KSU Field Trial Data - 2000-2002.  

Summary of field trial data:  This is an attractive plant, that held up well under drought/dryland conditions, though its preferred habitat is rich, moist soil.  On a small scale, this plant could be added to a flower bed border, and on a larger scale, since the above ground portion is harvested, this has potential for mechanized harvest.  However, demand is projected to be small, so this isn’t a cash crop that everyone should jump into all at once.  

 The vigor rating was fairly high on this species, averaging 3.7 on a 5 point scale, and insect and disease ratings were fairly low, with the exception of the year 3 insect rating of 4.5.  Note also that the maturity rating that year was a 5.9, on a 6 point scale, where 6.0 is a dead, or senesced plant, so the insect feeding on nearly dead plants is not surprising.  The yield of the tops in year 3 is also very low, due to harvesting after the plant had peaked.  If we had harvested in mid-summer, we may have obtained yields similar to year 2 plants.  Interestingly, the harvest in year 3 was actually slightly earlier than in year 2 (Aug. 26 and Sept. 5 for Wichita and Olathe, respectively in year 3, vs. Sept, 14 and Sept. 21 in year 2).  This indicates that the plants flowered and/or declined faster in year 3, possibly due to the maturity of the plants, or the exceptionally hot, dry conditions present in year 3 (summer of 2002).