Toothache Plant (Acmella oleracea)
Also known as: Spilathes, Electric Daisy, Paracress, Jambú
This small flowering herb has been used as a medicinal plant because chewing on the flowers produces a tingling or numbing sensation in the mouth which can be used to treat toothaches. This species is from Pará, a northeastern state in Brazil, where it is known as Jambú. In Brazil, Myanmar, and India the leaves are eaten fresh in salads and cooked as greens.
As always, consult your medical provider before using herbal remedies!
Even if you don't use spilathes for treating a toothache, the plants are a wonderful addition to the garden and the small 8 inch tall plants look great in borders and mass-plantings. The unique little flowers have a bulls-eye pattern and they are a great companion plant because they attract pollinators. The flowers also look great in arrangements.
Origin: We brought the parent seed of our Spilanthes home from a trip to Thailand where a friend grows it in her garden in the city of Chiang Mai.
(Approximately 75 seeds per packet)
Planting Instructions: Sow seeds 1/4" deep indoors about 6 weeks before the last frost and transplant into garden well after the danger of frost. Keep seedlings moist but do not overwater. Transplants should be spaced 6-12" in full sun. Or, direct sow after the last frost, 1/4" deep.
