Spilanthes (Acmella oleracea)

Spilanthes (Acmella oleracea) is a tender perennial or annual herb in the Asteraceae family, probably native to South America. It has glossy leaves and cone-shaped yellow and red flower heads, and both the leaves and flowers are traditionally used in herbal and culinary practice.

Often called toothache plant, spilanthes is best known for the tingling, numbing sensation it creates in the mouth. It has a long history of use in oral preparations, fresh tinctures, and edible herb gardens in tropical and subtropical regions.

Botanical Overview

Botanical name: Acmella oleracea
Family: Asteraceae
Plant type: Tender perennial or annual herb
Native region: South America, especially Brazil
Common names: Spilanthes, toothache plant, paracress, jambu, buzz buttons

Benefits and Traditional Uses

Spilanthes has traditionally been used to support:

Traditional mouth and gum support
Stimulating salivation
Fresh tinctures and oral preparations
Edible herb use in salads and dishes
Topical folk use in warm climates

Spilanthes has become popular in modern herb gardens because it is both visually distinctive and highly memorable when tasted fresh. “Spilanthes is one of the most lively herbs in the garden, remarkable for both its taste and its traditional place in oral care.”

“Spilanthes is one of the most lively herbs in the garden, remarkable for both its taste and its traditional place in oral care.”

— Modern herbal gardening reference

Preparation Methods

Spilanthes can be prepared in several traditional ways:

Fresh Chew

Fresh flower heads may be chewed briefly in traditional mouth-focused use.

Part of the plant used: Flower heads

Tincture

Fresh aerial parts are often extracted in alcohol for a concentrated traditional preparation.

Part of the plant used: Leaves and flower heads

Tea

The leaves and flowers may be infused in hot water, though tincture is more common.

Part of the plant used: Leaves and flowers

Salad Herb

Young leaves may be used sparingly in salads or fresh dishes.

Part of the plant used: Leaves

Growing Spilanthes

Spilanthes is a fast-growing warm-season herb that thrives in heat, moisture, and rich soil.

Prefers full sun to light shade
Grows best in fertile, well-drained soil
Needs regular watering for lush growth
Suitable for USDA zones 10–11 as a perennial and often grown as an annual elsewhere
Easy to grow in summer gardens and containers across the United States

Pinching the tips may encourage bushier growth. In warm climates it can flower over a long season and self-seed lightly.

Safety Considerations

This herb has a long history of traditional use, however care should always be taken when using herbal plants.

However:

Because of its strong tingling action, spilanthes may feel intense for sensitive mouths.
People allergic to Asteraceae family plants should use caution.
Moderation is sensible with concentrated tinctures and extracts.
Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should consult a qualified healthcare professional before internal use.
This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

Image Disclaimer: Images are for reference only and should not be used as the sole method of identification. Always confirm identification with a qualified source.

Spilanthes (Acmella oleracea) is a tender perennial or annual herb in the Asteraceae family, probably native to South America. It has glossy leaves and cone-shaped yellow and red flower heads, and both the leaves and flowers are traditionally used in herbal and culinary practice.

Often called toothache plant, spilanthes is best known for the tingling, numbing sensation it creates in the mouth. It has a long history of use in oral preparations, fresh tinctures, and edible herb gardens in tropical and subtropical regions.

Benefits and Traditional Uses

Spilanthes has traditionally been used to support:

Traditional mouth and gum support
Stimulating salivation
Fresh tinctures and oral preparations
Edible herb use in salads and dishes
Topical folk use in warm climates

Spilanthes has become popular in modern herb gardens because it is both visually distinctive and highly memorable when tasted fresh. “Spilanthes is one of the most lively herbs in the garden, remarkable for both its taste and its traditional place in oral care.”

“Spilanthes is one of the most lively herbs in the garden, remarkable for both its taste and its traditional place in oral care.”

— Modern herbal gardening reference

Preparation Methods

Spilanthes can be prepared in several traditional ways:

Fresh Chew

Fresh flower heads may be chewed briefly in traditional mouth-focused use.

Part of the plant used: Flower heads

Tincture

Fresh aerial parts are often extracted in alcohol for a concentrated traditional preparation.

Part of the plant used: Leaves and flower heads

Tea

The leaves and flowers may be infused in hot water, though tincture is more common.

Part of the plant used: Leaves and flowers

Salad Herb

Young leaves may be used sparingly in salads or fresh dishes.

Part of the plant used: Leaves

Growing Spilanthes

Spilanthes is a fast-growing warm-season herb that thrives in heat, moisture, and rich soil.

Prefers full sun to light shade
Grows best in fertile, well-drained soil
Needs regular watering for lush growth
Suitable for USDA zones 10–11 as a perennial and often grown as an annual elsewhere
Easy to grow in summer gardens and containers across the United States

Pinching the tips may encourage bushier growth. In warm climates it can flower over a long season and self-seed lightly.

Safety Considerations

This herb has a long history of traditional use, however care should always be taken when using herbal plants.

However:

Because of its strong tingling action, spilanthes may feel intense for sensitive mouths.
People allergic to Asteraceae family plants should use caution.
Moderation is sensible with concentrated tinctures and extracts.
Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should consult a qualified healthcare professional before internal use.
This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

Image Disclaimer: Images are for reference only and should not be used as the sole method of identification. Always confirm identification with a qualified source.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is spilanthes traditionally used for?

Spilanthes is traditionally used for mouth care, stimulating saliva, and fresh tinctures. It is especially known for the tingling sensation produced by the flower heads.

Why is spilanthes called toothache plant?

It is called toothache plant because chewing the flower heads produces a tingling, numbing sensation in the mouth. This unusual effect made it popular in traditional oral preparations.

What part of spilanthes is used?

The leaves and flower heads are the parts most commonly used. The flower heads are especially valued in fresh mouth-focused preparations.

Can spilanthes grow in the United States?

Yes. Spilanthes is easy to grow in warm-season gardens across the United States and can be grown as an annual in cooler climates.

Is spilanthes edible?

Yes. The young leaves and flower heads are edible, though their strong tingling effect means they are usually used in small amounts.

Are there safety considerations with spilanthes?

Yes. People sensitive to daisy family plants should use caution, and the strong mouth sensation may be too intense for some individuals. Concentrated use is best kept moderate.

Botanical Overview

Botanical name: Acmella oleracea
Family: Asteraceae
Plant type: Tender perennial or annual herb
Native region: South America, especially Brazil
Common names: Spilanthes, toothache plant, paracress, jambu, buzz buttons

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The information on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using herbs, supplements, or natural products.