Spilanthes

Common Names: Spilanthes, Toothache Plant, Paracress, Akarkara, Salad Cress, Jambu, Eyeball Plant, Electric Daisy, Buzz Buttons, Szechuan Buttons.

Botanical Family: Asteraceae

Chinese Medicine Name: Tian Wen Cao

Ayurvedic Name: Sarahattika

Parts Used: Aerial parts (leaves and flowers), whole plant (including roots)

Native To: Brazil

Geographic Distribution:
Spilanthes is found in tropical and subtropical climates. While native to Brazil, it has spread to equatorial regions of South America, Asia, Africa, Cuba, and even parts of Europe, such as Poland.

Botanical Description:
Spilanthes is an erect herb, growing up to 15-30 cm. It has smooth, opposite leaves that can sometimes have a purple tinge. The leaves are lance-shaped with toothed or wavy margins. The plant produces conical red and yellow flower heads that bloom singly on terminal peduncles. These unique flowers, resembling “eyeballs,” are often the plant’s most recognizable feature. Spilanthes is a perennial in warmer climates but is grown as an annual in cooler regions. It thrives in tropical and subtropical areas and is often cultivated as an ornamental herb.

Key Constituents:
Spilanthes contains alkaloids (primarily spilanthol), phytosterols, volatile oils (limonene, β-caryophyllene), glycosides, tannins, phenolic compounds, sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, and carbohydrates. These compounds contribute to the plant’s medicinal and culinary uses.

Sustainability Issues:
Due to its rising popularity, particularly in the production of alcoholic drinks like Cachaça de Jambu in Brazil, Spilanthes has been grown on commercial plantations, especially in Southeast Brazil. This mass cultivation threatens the plant’s genetic diversity and has led to the adoption of conventional farming practices that undermine the traditional, sustainable agroecological practices of the local people who have grown it for centuries.

Harvesting Guidelines:
Spilanthes can be harvested throughout the growing season, with its flowering tops and leaves commonly used. The entire plant, including the roots, can be dug up when it blooms.

Traditional Uses and Health Benefits:
Spilanthes has a long history of use across tropical regions, particularly in Brazil, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa. It is most famous for its ability to provide relief from toothaches. The plant’s name “Toothache Plant” refers to its traditional use as a numbing agent for oral pain. The sensation of chewing the plant, which causes a tingling or numbing feeling in the mouth, is caused by the presence of spilanthol, the main active compound in the plant. Its effectiveness in alleviating toothaches has been widely recognized by different cultures for centuries.

In Brazilian folk medicine, the plant is commonly used to treat oral and throat conditions, including sore throats and gum infections. Beyond the oral cavity, Spilanthes has been traditionally used to treat digestive issues, skin infections, snake bites, and even malaria. It has also been used for respiratory issues like asthma and coughs.

In Ayurvedic medicine, Spilanthes is known as Sarahattika and is used to treat toothaches, gum infections, psoriasis, scabies, and scurvy. It is also valued for its role in calming stammering in children.

In Chinese medicine, where it is known as Tian Wen Cao, Spilanthes is used to treat conditions like coughs, asthma, diarrhea, rheumatic fever, and poisonous snake bites. It helps resolve toxins, dispels swelling, and eases pain.

Modern Uses:
In modern herbal medicine, Spilanthes is increasingly recognized for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Research has shown that its extracts can be effective in treating bacterial infections, particularly those resistant to standard antibiotics. A 2011 study demonstrated that Spilanthes leaf extract was more effective than conventional drugs like doxycycline in fighting the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae. The plant’s antimicrobial properties make it a popular ingredient in products for dental health, such as mouthwashes and toothpastes, as it helps to reduce oral infections.

Spilanthes also has a role in pain management. The plant’s analgesic effects, mainly attributed to spilanthol, have been studied for their potential to treat chronic pain, making Spilanthes a valuable herb for those with degenerative conditions. The research shows that it helps block pain stimuli through various mechanisms, including the inhibition of prostaglandin production, which is linked to pain.

Culinary Uses:
In Brazil, Spilanthes is often eaten raw in salads or used in dishes such as soups, stews, rice, and omelets. Its strong, tingling sensation makes it a unique addition to food, where it acts as a spice. The flowers are used in Japanese appetizers and other Asian dishes. The plant is also included in artisanal drinks like Cachaça de Jambu, a popular alcoholic beverage in Brazil.

Scientific Research and Benefits:
Recent studies validate many of the traditional uses of Spilanthes. One of the key constituents, spilanthol, is a powerful compound that has shown anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial properties. Preliminary research suggests that Spilanthes could have applications in pain management for conditions such as arthritis and other chronic pain conditions. It has also demonstrated potential for antimalarial activity, making it an interesting candidate for malaria treatment in regions where the disease is prevalent.

In addition to its therapeutic uses, Spilanthes has been studied for its potential as a natural insecticide. It has demonstrated larvicidal and ovicidal properties, particularly against mosquito species that transmit malaria. Researchers are exploring its potential as a safer, plant-based alternative to chemical insecticides.

Spilanthes (Acmella oleracea) is a versatile and potent herb with a rich history of use in both traditional and modern medicine. Its ability to relieve toothaches, improve oral health, and offer antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving benefits makes it a valuable addition to the herbal medicine cabinet. Additionally, its culinary uses and potential as a natural insecticide highlight its broad range of applications. With ongoing research, Spilanthes may continue to play an important role in health and wellness practices worldwide.