Toothache plant

Official name: Spilanthes acmella

This plant also goes by the names Jambu, electric daisy, paracress or eyeball plant.

You can find the toothache plant in tropical and subtropical regions, such as northern part of Australia, China, Thailand, South America. Africa, some parts of India, and in Sri lanka.

The toothache flower is comprised of actually many tiny flowers. It is part of the daisy family so if you are allergic to any flowers in the daisy family, I would not recommend you experimenting with this one.

If you live in a subtropical or tropical climate, then you can grow toothache plant as a perennial. It cannot handle frost so if you do get a few cold nights, make sure you cover this treasure! In colder areas, this plant can be grown in a pot or as an annual.

I got the seed for my toothache plant at Mary’s Heirloom Seeds, she has an amazing variety of medicinal plants and the germination rate of her seeds is amazing.

The flowers are bitter; they have a flavor of something like grass, and cause an increase in saliva production. It is added as an additive to chewing tobacco in India. An extract called jambu oil, is sometimes added to items like chewing gum as well.

The shredded leaves can be cooked in stews and soups to provide a unique flavor to recipes. In addition, some mixologists have discovered the flowers and are decorating several of their beverages with one of the flowers. Causing an electrifying experience for the consumer of these drinks.

Medicinal uses

You can use the stems, leaves and flowers of this plant. You can dry the leaves for later use in for example tincture. You can use the fresh leaves directly in the garden if you hurt yourself. These leaves have antibacterial and antifungal properties and these leaves have anesthetic properties as well.

The buds are known as “buzz buttons”, “Sichuan buttons”, “sansho buttons”, and “electric buttons” they have a numbing and tingling effect on your mouth when chewed.

The flowers can be frozen for long term storage. They will become less vibrant and their texture may change slightly, though their numbing, tingling effect will still be the same. Shelf Life is 4-5 days in the refrigerator, and up to three months in the freezer. You can also dehydrate the flowers and leaves for a much longer storage. Even then, they keep their function.

Both the leaves and the buds can be chewed sparingly to achieve a tingling, cooling and numbing effect. It is great for when you have sore gums and cannot go see a dentist.

The fresh leaves are rich in minerals and a useful source of folic acid and vitamin C.

Some of the uses that this herb is supposed to help with are:

  • canker sores
  • Gum pain
  • dry mouth
  • sore throat
  • The flower heads and leaves can be chewed to numb tooth and gum aches.
  • improve digestion
  • reduce candida symptoms
  • thrush
  • herpes
  • cold sores
  • Stomach ulcers
  • Inflammation
  • Diuretic
  • Leaves can be chewed and applied as a poultice to relieve pain and as antibacterial

Culinary Uses

The leaves can be shredded and cooked as a leafy green into soups and stews where it loses its strong flavor yet it brings a unique flavor to dishes. The leaves can be eaten raw in salads as well.

Do not use or ingest spilanthus if:

  • You are using diuretics (water pills) for blood pressure or swelling:
  • You have prostate cancer: This may affect the actions of drugs used to treat prostate cancer.
  • You are pregnant as this herb could induce contractions,
  • The chemical properties of these flowers may cause you to have a stronger lingering effect of intoxication when paired with alcohol.

Recipes

Spilanthus Cold and Flu Tincture

  • 1/4c lemon balm/melissa leaves for its antiviral and anti inflammatory properties
  • 1/4c echinacea leaves and/or flower petals as immune system booster
  • 1/4c spilanthes flowers and leaves for vitamin c, soothing, antibacterial, antiviral, properties
  • vodka (80 proof or more)

You will want to use dried herbs for tincture. The drying process should be at low temperature to preserve their qualities. The reason you will want to dry the herbs is to make the tincture more shelf stable. The fresh herbs contain too much moisture,

Once dried, crush and crumble all herbs into a jar, then cover with vodka to cover the herbs. Tighten the jar and shake the jar once a day for six weeks

After 6 weeks, strain your tincture through either a coffee filter or cheesecloth and pour the tincture in a clean dry jar. Add the lid and store in a cool dark place for up to a year.

Add a dropper full to ginger ale if you are queasy, add half a dropper to tea with honey if you are coming down with a flu or cold.

You can use this tincture to make a mouthwash for sore or inflamed gums. Add a dropper full in a glass of water and swish and spit with it up to three times daily. Always consult your doctor before using any home remedies,

Alcoholic drink

SNAP DRAGON

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 oz wheated bourbon
  • 1/4 oz yellow chartreuse
  • 4–5 oz Mexican fruit punch
  • 1 toothache plant flower

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Pour the bourbon and yellow chatreuse into a highball glass
  2. Insert a straw (optional) and fill with ice cubes
  3. Pour over and top off with fruit punch and garnish with a toothache plant flower

Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only, and should not be considered as medical advice as I am not a doctor and before trying to utilize this as a treatment I recommend that you please check with a certified medical professional who is specialized in herbal medicine since it could potentially interact with other medicines and conditions, with that said, overall, this is a great herb to grow!