Overview

Boneset is a plant. People use the dried leaf and flowers to make medicine.

Boneset has been used for influenza (flu), the common cold, symptoms of lung infections, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

How does it work ?

Boneset contains chemicals that might have some mild activity against bacteria.

Boneset contains chemicals that might have some mild activity against bacteria.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Common cold. Early research suggests that taking a specific homeopathic product made from boneset reduces symptoms of the common cold similarly to aspirin.
  • Constipation.
  • Causing vomiting.
  • Fluid retention.
  • Aching muscles.
  • Reducing inflammation.
  • Stimulating the immune system.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of boneset for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Boneset is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. It can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting. Also, some plants that are related to boneset contain chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids. These chemicals can damage the liver. It is not known if boneset contains these same liver-damaging chemicals.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Boneset is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. It can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting. Also, some plants that are related to boneset contain chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids. These chemicals can damage the liver. It is not known if boneset contains these same liver-damaging chemicals.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Because boneset may contain liver-damaging chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids, it is considered POSSIBLY UNSAFE. These same chemicals could harm the developing baby. Don't use it if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Boneset may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking boneset.

Liver disease: Boneset contains chemicals called hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). These chemicals might harm the liver, making existing liver disease worse.

Interactions ?

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications that increase break down of other medications by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inducers) interacts with BONESET

    Boneset is broken down by the liver. Some chemicals that form when the liver breaks down boneset can be harmful. Medications that cause the liver to break down boneset might enhance the toxic effects of chemicals contained in boneset.

    Some of the medications include carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), rifampin, rifabutin (Mycobutin), and others.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of boneset depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for boneset. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.