boneset

American  

[bohn-set] / ˈboʊnˌsɛt /

noun

1. any composite plant of the genus Eupatorium, especially E. perfoliatum, of North America, having white flowers in a flat-topped cluster.

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boneset British  

/ ˈbəʊnˌsɛt /

noun

1. Also called: agueweed.   feverwort.   thoroughwort.  any of various North American plants of the genus Eupatorium , esp E. perfoliatum , which has flat clusters of small white flowers: family Asteraceae (composites)

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Etymology

Origin of boneset

1810–20, bone ( def. ) + set (v.), so named (by hyperbole) because supposed to have healing properties

Example Sentences

Nonetheless, a demand persists for senna, henna, pennyroyal, hops, boneset, camomile, sage, tansy, flaxseed, rhubarb, ginger root, fennel seed, aniseed, saffron, viburnum.

From Time Magazine Archive

“Broken, by God’s whiskers. Broken,” she moaned, feeling her ankle, and she set about telling Beetle how to pack the boneset herbs and wrap the rags about the limb.

From "The Midwife's Apprentice" by Karen Cushman

Our grandmothers made boneset tea from its leaves when we were in danger of colds or malaria.

From Woodcraft or, How a Patrol Leader Made Good by Douglas, Alan

There was boneset tea and willow tea and shuck tea and cottonseed tea for chills and fever and Jerusalum Oak for worms.

From Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves: Volume XVI, Texas Narratives, Part 4 by United States. Work Projects Administration

We didn' get larned to read and write but they took care of us iffen we was sick, and we made medicine outta black willow and outta black snake root and boneset.

From Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves: Volume XVI, Texas Narratives, Part 3 by United States. Work Projects Administration