How to grow and use Toothache plant

As you know, I like to grow different plants in my garden every year and one of this years varieties is Spilanthes Toothache plant (Acmella oleracea or Spilanthes acmella ) This plant has earned its name from the mouth numbing sensation caused by chewing on the plants flowers. It can literally stop a toothache.

The toothache plant is native to South America and is part of the Asteraceae family...commonly referred to as the aster family. Toothache plant is also referred to as buzz buttons and electric daisy. It is said to attract fireflies, though I haven't seen evidence of this.

I'm also not sitting out with it all night, so who knows! 

Toothache plant is a tender perennial that only gets to be about a foot tall, but sprawls about twice that in length. The leaves can be eaten in small amounts in salads and they lose their strong taste once cooked. The petal-less flowers are the interesting part though.

Toothache plant is antiviral, antibiotic and antifungal. It has a numbing sensation when used in the mouth or on small wounds like bug bites. When you chew one of the yellow and red flowers at first it tastes like you are eating grass. This is quickly replaced by a numbing sensation. 

I have to admit the first time I tried it I was surprised by how strong this numbing sensation was. I definitely did not expect it to be so powerful!

Toothache plant is a sialagogue. Which means that the next thing that happens when you chew the flower of a toothache plant is that you being to salivate. Not just 'mouth watering', I'm talking full on drooling! 

You also might feel a cool sensation in your throat. These effects last for about 15 minutes. Chewing a toothache plant flower actually does help the pain when you have a toothache, but I find it much more helpful for gum irritations or mouth ulcers. 

How to grow toothache plant:

• Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost date.
• A heat mat helps as the seeds prefer it to be at least 70° to germinate.
• Seeds need sunlight to germinate so do not cover with soil until after they sprout.
• Transplant outside in compost rich soil in a well drained area when all danger of frost has passed.
• Toothache plant likes grows best in full sun but can tolerate some shade.
• Plants can sprawl out up to 2 feet, so space accordingly.
• Toothache plant can be grown in containers with good drainage. Choose a pot that's about 12" across. 
• I water toothache plants every few days, more in drought conditions. 

I haven't had very much insect damage on my toothache plants. There are some bites here and there, but it seems like pests don't stick around to eat for very long. Slugs are said to like toothache plant, but I haven't seen any personally.

Both the leaves and flowers are used so when harvesting, cut back the whole plant to about 6". It will grow back and you should be able to harvest again during the season.

How to use toothache plant:

A tincture can be made of the leaves and flowers of the toothache plant to help with mouth pain. For numbing effect, swish several drops in the mouth for a minute or so then spit out. For localized pain, a drop or two can be applied directly, or applied to a cotton ball and held on the area. 

Here's a good tutorial on making a tincture from Healing Harvest Homestead.

For throat pain you can also gargle with a tincture mixed with water, or with a tea made with a few of the flowers. I used 3 flowers to 8oz of just boiling water. Steep about 10 minutes, strain and cool. Gargle with 1 oz of tea and relief should last around 15 minutes or more.

I've read that some people rub the leaves on the gums of teething babies, but I have not tried it personally.

Using toothache plant on skin

I have rubbed a crushed leave on a painful scratch after a Guinea fowl incident the other day and the pain went away for quite awhile after. The toothache plant is said to have antibacterial properties which is why I chose to use it instead of plantain which I usually use. 

Guinea feet are pretty dirty though, so I wasn't taking any chances. It's healed up just fine.

Dehydrating Spilanthes plant 

I harvest the flowers and dehydrate them to store for winter use. They can also be processed as a tincture or decoction but I find they keep longer when dried, then I can prepare them as needed. Spread the leaves and flowers evenly on a dehydrator sheet making sure they are not touching. Dry for about 4-6 hours at 120°F. 

Check the leaves after 3 hours as they should be done first. If you're dehydrating leaves and flowers together, remove the leaves when done and allow the flowers to continue for the full 6 hours or till dry.

I really like growing Spilanthes Toothache plant for both it's uses and the fact that it just looks really cool growing in my garden! Have you ever tried growing it?

~L

Want gardening and healthy living information sent right to your email weekly? Click right here to join my list and get new posts sent directly to you the day they're published!

I am not a doctor or other health care professional nor do I claim to be. I am simply passing on information that has worked for me. This information is not medical advice and is for entertainment purposes only. Please see a Dr if you are ill. Click for my full disclosure.