Eupatorium perfoliatum otherwise known as Boneset. Photo: SB Johnny
Eupatorium is a genus of flowering plants containing up to 60 species depending on the classification system. They are broadly known as Thoroughworts, Bonesets or Snakeworts and mostly grow in sunny places and the edges of rivers. The genus name Eupatorium is believed to have been assigned to the plant in honor of Mithridates VI of Pontus, otherwise known as Eupator Dionysius (132BC - 63BC).
Mithridates VI had a tremendous memory and spoke 25 languages. He sought to strengthen himself against poisoning by taking less than lethal doses of poisons on a regular basis. This practice came to be known as Mithridatism. A universal antidote for a poison is sometimes referred to as a Mithridate.