Genus: Eupatorium
Common name: Eupatorium perfoliatum. Boneset. Feverwort. Sweating-plant.
Family: Compositae or Asteraceae, (Daisy, Sunflower, Aster)
This common perennial plant is found growing in clumps in damp areas across the eastern half of the United States and Canada. Boneset grows three to five feet tall, and from July to September, flat clusters of small white flowers bloom atop the plant’s rough, hairy stems. Perfoliate refers to how the leaves attach to the stem. Rough, downy leaves are arranged opposite each other, with each leaf blade surrounding the stem such that the stem appears to pass through the leaves. Native Americans traditionally used Boneset for winter influenza and intermittent fevers that were accompanied by aching in the bones, to break a fever by inducing sweating.
As a homeopathic remedy, Eupatorium perfoliatum is an invaluable aid for fractures and for influenza with unbearable pains “as if the bones are broken.” The pain is so severe that the suffering person will moan with the pain and move restlessly in an attempt to ease the pain. Even the eyeballs ache. Although the sick person will shiver with chills, there is an unquenchable thirst for ice water.
Keynotes:
- High fever preceded by chills, worse 7 – 9 am
- Headache during or after fever, heavy head
- Influenza, with severe aching in the bones as if the bones were broken
- Dengue fever, Rheumatic fever, History of malaria
- Gastric flu with fever, nausea, retching, vomiting
- Painful broken bones. excruciating back pain
- Craving for cold drinks, cold foods, ice cream followed by chills, nausea, and vomiting
- Chills beginning in the small of the back
- Restlessness, cannot keep still
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