Eupatorium perfoliatum

Eupatorium perfoliatum, commonly known as boneset or thoroughwort, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to North America, belonging to the family Asteraceae. The plant is characterized by its opposite, perfoliate leaves, which appear to be pierced by the stem, and its small, white, flower heads arranged in dense, flat-topped clusters. The Hebrew name for this plant is בונסט (Boneset). In other languages, it is known as Eupatoire perforée in French, Eupatorio perfoliado in Spanish, and Durchwachsenes Wasserhanf in German. Traditionally, Eupatorium perfoliatum has been used in herbal medicine, particularly by Native Americans, to treat various ailments, including fevers and respiratory infections. The plant's common name, boneset, derives from its historical use in setting joints and broken bones. However, it is important to note that the plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be toxic to the liver if consumed in large quantities. Despite its medicinal uses, the plant is also known to be invasive in some regions, potentially outcompeting native species.