It gained its Latin genus name from Mithridates VI Eupator (134–63 BC), after whom a complex, and mythological, potion – a Mithridate – to cure all poisoning is named. He was King of Pontus and Armenia Minor (now northern Turkey), engaged in huge wars against Rome and indulged in brutal genocides. He is more famous for his interest in antidotes to poisons. Leonhart Fuchs writes (excerpted from the 1999 facsimile and commentary on his herbal of 1542): Mithridates, indeed, mighty king of Pontus and the Parthians, was not content to have won renown for his skill in 22 languages and from his various victories; but that he might become more famous and illustrious, he applied himself energetically to the business of obtaining exact knowledge of all medicinal simples, especially those that were antidotes to deadly poisons. His father, Mithridates V, was assassinated by poison in 120 BC, so Eupator reportedly developed immunity to poisons by regularly consuming sub-lethal doses. When he was finally defeated and in exile in the Crimea he tried to commit suicide by poison, but it had no effect, so he had to ask a loyal army officer to kill him with his sword to avoid capture by the Romans.

Oakeley, Dr. Henry. (2012). Doctors in the Medicinal Garden. Plants named after physicians. Royal College of Physicians. p. 49 Link

Possible anti-tumour activity in this genus.

Podlech, D. (1996). Herbs & Healing Plants of Britain & Europe, Collins p.146

Used to treat flu-like symptoms and in conjunction with antibiotics, to stimulate the immune system, as a diuretic and to aid convalescence.

Podlech, D. (1996). Herbs & Healing Plants of Britain & Europe, Collins p.146

Toxic due to presence of pyrrolidizine alkaloids that damage the liver and lungs and may be carcinogenic.

Professor Anthony Dayan, 2022

Africa, Northern Africa, Algeria

Africa, Northern Africa, Morocco

Asia-Temperate, Caucasus, North Caucasus

Asia-Temperate, Caucasus, Transcaucasus

Asia-Temperate, Middle Asia, Turkmenistan

Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Turkey

Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Cyprus

Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Iran

Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Iraq

Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Israel

Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Lebanon-Syria

Asia-Tropical, Indian Subcontinent, Nepal

Europe, Eastern Europe, Baltic States

Europe, Eastern Europe, Belarus

Europe, Eastern Europe, Northwest European Russia

Europe, Eastern Europe, South European Russia

Europe, Eastern Europe, Ukraine

Europe, Eastern Europe, North European Russia

Europe, Middle Europe, Austria

Europe, Middle Europe, Belgium

Europe, Middle Europe, Germany

Europe, Middle Europe, Hungary

Europe, Middle Europe, Netherlands

Europe, Middle Europe, Poland

Europe, Middle Europe, Slovakia

Europe, Middle Europe, Switzerland

Europe, Northern Europe, Denmark

Europe, Northern Europe, Finland

Europe, Northern Europe, Great Britain

Europe, Northern Europe, Ireland

Europe, Northern Europe, Norway

Europe, Northern Europe, Sweden

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Albania

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Bulgaria

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Czech Republic

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Greece

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Italy

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Yugoslavia

Europe, Southeastern Europe, Romania

Europe, Southwestern Europe, France

Europe, Southwestern Europe, Portugal

Europe, Southwestern Europe, Spain