When I harvest boneset, I snip the plant about 10-12 inches from the ground. If I am going to tincture it fresh, I strip off the leaves and use the flowering tops as well. If I am going to dry it, I hang it upside down and when it is dried, strip the leaves and flowering tops. You can tincture fresh or dried (making adjustments in the alcohol/water ratio) or use it for tea. Be aware that boneset contains PAs and should only be used for short-term and not by those with liver damage.

Thanks so much for the info. Do you have a a preference to the tea or the tincture?

tincture

I have made a boneset tincture with vodka using a glass jar. Someone asked me if I should leave the lid on tightly or loosely (any concern with fermentation?). Does it matter? Thanks for the information.

Alcohol evaporates readily - tightly closed.

FataMorgana

depends on how you're using it. boneset is traditionally used to induce sweating, lower fever and ease body aches that occur at the first onset of a cold or flu....tincture won't do that but a couple cups of the hot tea will. its very bitter so understand why a tincture is preferred, but traditionally it is consumed as an infusion.

if using it as a digestive bitter a tincture would work fine.