Background

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.

Safety Safety definitions

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 & Warnings:

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.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

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.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

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

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

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.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Herbs that increase the breakdown of other herbs by the liver: Boneset is broken down by the liver. Some chemicals that form when the liver breaks down boneset can be harmful. Other herbs that cause the liver to break down boneset might increase the toxic effects of the chemicals contained in boneset. Some of these herbs include echinacea, garlic, licorice, St. John's wort, and schisandra.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs)-containing herbs and supplements: Boneset contains PAs, dangerous chemicals that can harm the liver. Using boneset along with other herbs that contain hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids might increase the risk of liver damage. Herbs that contain hepatotoxic PAs include borage, butterbur, coltsfoot, comfrey, gravel root, hemp agrimony, hound's tongue, and the Senecio species plants dusty miller, alpine ragwort, groundsel, golden ragwort, and tansy ragwort.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.

Action

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