What is the name of the plant that restored youth in the epic?

The plant that restored youth in the epic is called the Plant of Youth. After learning that Utnapishtim had received immortality, Gilgamesh was told of a thorny plant growing at the bottom of the sea. Eating it would restore a person’s youthful strength, although it would not grant true immortality.

Gilgamesh tied stones to his feet, descended into the water, and retrieved the plant. He intended to test it on an old man in Uruk before using it himself. While he stopped to bathe, however, a serpent stole the plant. The snake’s shedding of its skin became a symbolic explanation for renewal, while Gilgamesh was left mortal.

Translations sometimes call it the “Plant of Heartbeat” or describe it as a rejuvenating boxthorn. Those labels refer to the same episode, so “The Plant of Youth” is the fair quiz answer. A common mix-up is calling it the Plant of Life: the plant restores youth or vigor, but it does not provide permanent life or godhood.