Boneset

Boneset Tincture

an ally for fever & flu bones

INGREDIENTS: 

• fresh aerial parts of boneset plant

• 80 proof or stronger liquor

(see below for Medicinal Use)

INSTRUCTIONS:

I like to harvest boneset just before it blooms, while in bud stage or when just a few flowers are coming forth. 

Cut the aerial plant just above a set of leaves. Remove any brown or insect eaten parts and then cut the whole aerial plant into a jar. I leave the plant as whole as possible so that the pieces don't float up. Cover the herb with an 80 proof or higher liquor. I usually use 80 proof vodka, 100/120 bourbon, or moonshine. 

TYPE OF LIQUOR:

Vodka allows you to taste the plant better and is good if you're getting to know plants for the first time. I like to use bourbon for cold and flu herbs (like boneset) because it goes well with hot tea, lemon, honey, and the such. 

FRESH OR DRIED PLANT: 

I rarely make tinctures with dried plant, whether bought, foraged, or grown by my own hands. To me it seems that the vitality of the plant begins to leave as soon as the plant is harvested, so I tincture immediately. There are times when I tincture a dried root that I can't forage or grow, but even then I can tell that the medicine is weaker. Boneset is a very potent, bitter herb and would probably make a decent tincture from the dried herb if that's all you can get your hands on.

BONESET TEA:

Combine 1 teaspoon dried herb with 8 ounces of hot water and let steep at least 15 minutes. You could add some peppermint herb to help it taste better and a good spoonful of honey to help the medicine go down, the medicine go down... The tea should be consumed hot to do its work on fevers and active infections. (See below.) The good thing about the tea is that you can buy the dried herb if you aren't able to grow it or forage it in the wild. If you are harvesting fresh boneset to dry for tea, try to harvest while the plant is in bud stage because the flowers quickly go to seed when dried.

MEDICINAL USE: 

Contrary to popular American belief, fevers are a good thing. Or at least a necessary thing. Fevers are your body's way of baking out a virus or a bacteria. When you get a fever, you want to support your body and your immune system as it does its job. 

In North America, BONESET is our native healer for fevers accompanied by body ache and pain. BONESET TEA or TINCTURE IN HOT WATER helps release that fever from the body in a natural way. Medicinally, I prefer boneset as a hot tea, but it is good to always have the tincture on hand in case you don't have enough dry herb for tea or in case the patient is so ill that they can't drink a whole cup of the tea (it's terribly bitter!). In that case, add a teaspoon of the tincture to a small hot cup of water or another herbal tea with honey. 

In large doses boneset can cause vomiting, so take a break if you start to feel quite nauseous. For chronic conditions after the acute fever has broken, you can take a smaller amount of the tincture in water. It is good to always have a tincture of boneset on hand for flu fever, and ideally, a half pound or so of the dry herb to make tea. 

Boneset also has anti viral properties which, along with its action on fever, make it a good herb for flu or this terrible coronavirus. Some research shows that it supports the immune system in removing pathogens and cell debris from the cells. 

When I sit with the plant, I don't get an inviting feeling. Boneset is a potent medicine to be used during serious times of need. More research needs to be done on boneset, but it seems that it may be hard on the liver if used for extended periods of time. As opposed to an herb like lemon balm that is quite delicious and invites us to drink in large amounts, boneset naturally deters heavy consumption with its bitterness.

HABITAT, HARVEST, & SOURCING: 

The other day I was down at the creek with our new little baby and five-year-old daughter. The creek has gone dry in these drought like days and we were able to walk across to a small "island" where plants are beginning to grow up. Low and behold, there at the side were four big beautiful stems of BONESET with their flowers just about to bloom. I praised the heavens for this is the first time I have seen boneset on our own land and these days it's not as easy to forage in other places. For that reason, I would recommend growing boneset if you are able. It likes full or partial sun and moist to wet soil. You might find it in swampy areas, meadows, or along streams. On our creek island, it was growing up amongst the rocks and fallen tree branches where some soil had gathered. If you're not able to forage or grow your own, get a boneset tincture and some dry herb from a trusted herbalist or herb source. Always ask where the medicine maker sources their plant material and try to find boneset tincture made with fresh plant. 

Blessins, friends.

*Disclaimer*

This recipe does not provide specific dosage information, format recommendations, toxicity levels, or possible interactions with prescription drugs. Accordingly, this information should be used only under the direct supervision of a qualified health practitioner.