Spilanthes acmella commonly known as toothache plant is not an herb I’ve worked with very much until recently. However, I am intrigued by this plant as a teacher as it has so much to offer in just taste and sensation. If you want to truly feel the power of plant medicine you must try Spilanthes. Either by chewing on one of the leaves or flower buds of the plant you will almost instantly note the effect this plant has within the body. Spilanthes is a wonderful plant to help you understand terms like Sialogogue, acrid, aromatic, stimulant and diffusive.
When you begin to chew on Spilanthes your mouth will start to salivate wildly. Spilanthes will truly help you understand the effect or action of a “Sialogogue”…which is an agent that “stimulates” the secretion of saliva from the salivary glands. As Spilanthes increases salivation (Sialogogue) enzymes are excreted which help to break down the starches and fats in food. Saliva also contains antibacterial compounds which help to protect teeth and gums. Another thing that occurs when you chew on Spilanthes is that it numbs the area of the mouth and tongue temporarily. Granted, the numbness is only brief and so therefore the effect will be more palliative, but useful.
Another reaction that will occur while chewing is that your mouth and tongue will begin to tingle almost like the feeling you have when you touch your tongue to a battery. This is not an uncomfortable feeling, but rather a distinct sensation that awakens your senses and imparts the power of the plant throughout your mouth and excites the nerve endings. This sensation or impression is known as “Diffusive”…the effect of spreading or dispersing. A diffusive increases the circulation and movement of the herbs constituents throughout the body. The sensation you get from chewing the plant occurs very rapidly which is another great example of how a diffusive works. That tingling sensation that you feel also indicates that the herb is stimulating an immune reaction. There are a number of other plants which impart this tingling sensation to include Echinacea, Ginger and Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis)
Just by chewing on the plant and experiencing these sensations it will help you to understand a great deal about its healing actions and benefits. Spilanthes is aromatic and acrid in its impression. Herbs which are Aromatic help to disperse cold, (because most are warming); they move stagnation and bring blood and nutrients into an area. If you think about an area that has been bound up and where very little is moving (stagnation) you can imagine that area will feel tense. However, once the tension is dispelled or dispersed the area once again feels relaxed. Therefore, aromatic herbs are also considered to be relaxing and carminative (antispasmodic). Aromatic herbs also contain essential oils that are known to be antiseptic as well as antimicrobial (inhibits the growth of organisms such as bacteria, fungi and protozoan’s).
Based on the taste and impression we get from Spilanthes we can consider it for use with various infections such as cold or flu and common fungal infections such as ringworm, vaginal yeast, athlete’s foot and jock itch. Other uses for Spilanthes might include viral outbreaks of cold sores and herpes and conditions associated with parasitic infections. Spilanthes as its common name implies is also beneficial for toothaches as well as abscesses of the gums and sore throats.
One other little note about Spilanthes is that it acts as an aphrodisiac stimulant for male Wistar albino rats having a “positive effect on mounting frequency, intromission frequency and ejaculation frequency”. This information may come in handy if you have rats that may be experiencing some difficulties in that department.
To truly understand the effects and nuances of plants you have to use them, know how they taste and what sensations or impression they impart. Spilanthes is truly the plant to help you explore the actions of herbs through taste and sensation.
This is great! 🙂 Would you mind sharing this post on Wildcrafting Wednesday this week? I’m sure my readers would love this! 🙂
Thanks!
~ Kathy
Thank you Kathy… I will be happy to post it. See you on Wednesday.
This is very informative. We have been looking for a good toothache herb as some meds can give dry mouth and dry mouth makes your teeth rot. This herb combats dry mouth, infection and pain. I also liked the way you used your explanation as a teaching tool. Thanks!
Thank you Irene…I’m so glad you enjoyed the article. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Will it grow in FL? What is zone? Thanks. Kikuko
Hi Kikuko, I find it grows very well in Florida. I am in North Florida in zone 8b.
Ok so first visit to the site, and still relatively new to herbalism but not a complete novice though close. Can we have an example of practical application? I.E. poultice, tincture, extract, infusion? Can it be used topically or only orally? Hazards? Risks of overdose?
Very interesting, thank you for writing about this herb. Do you think it would be safe to administer to a dog?
Just curious why you might want to “administer (Spilanthes) to a dog?”
spilanthes cleared up a case of bleeding guns for me and it has never returned. I use a few drops in a little water after brushing my teeth. My dentest says they are doing very well. Great herb.
Thanks for stopping by Judy and sharing that. It’s always wonderful to hear what sort of success stories people are having with herbs.
I’m growing 12 plants for the first time this year here in Maine on the advice of a retired horticulture PhD. Seeds started indoors. The flowers are just now ready. I’ve cut up about 10 flowers, 5 leaves and a few stems and added them to a quart of gin. I may add more flowers as they mature. I was told between 1/4 and 1/3 cup is right for a quart. The gin’s supposed to infuse for several months. Then you have spilanthes martinis! I popped a flower in my mouth for the first time today and chewed it up. Amazing. It made me laugh simply for the unique flavor and effect. Can’t wait for the gin to be ready.
[…] alternative to both 5000 ppm fluoride toothpastes and remineralizing pastes. Enhanced with spilanthes, a natural herb which boosts saliva flow and flavor, the gel offers a mint flavor, contains no […]
Can this plant be planted indoors? We have ground hogs here in NC that eat anything you plant. I want to try this plant as I have been suffering with Burning Mouth Syndrome which causes Dry Mouth and Burning.
Hi Dianne… I’ve never tried growing it indoors but you could certainly try it. You could also grow it in pots to possibly keep it out of reach of the little critters. Love to hear how it works out for you.
“Based on the taste and impression we get from Spilanthes we can consider it for use with various infections such as…”
Seems a poor basis for use! Nil regards evidence.
Thanks for your comment aj. However, I have to disagree that it is, “a poor basis for use”. Prior to having the ability to evaluate herbs scientifically with high tech equipment, healers and herbalists have been relying on their senses to evaluate the use of plants. Even today herbalist use organoleptic analysis (relying on our senses) to gain a better understanding of the plants “impressions”, taste and smell to determine its potential herbal actions. When working with a plant that we have positively identified we can glean a great deal of knowledge just by tasting or smelling that herb. For instance…some herbs taste bitter. As herbalists we know that the bitter taste initiates certain physiological responses in the body. If the herb we are working with tastes bitter we can “assume” that it will stimulate digestive secretions and enzymes, improve tissue integrity and in turn improve digestion, absorption and nutrient assimilation. I realize that this is not 100% accurate but historically it has been very effective for determining the various uses of medicinal herbs. If you are interested in learning more about this approach there is a lot of information available on “herbal energetics” that might help you to gain a better understanding of this approach. Thanks for stopping by.
If you are going to make a tincture with this herb…1:2 @ 95% ETOH. The dosing is 3/5 to 1 tsp x 3/ day. If treating a virulent infection can increase to 6 tsp/ day but only for a max of 2-3 days on increase dose. The flower, leaves and stem can be used for tincture. You can also dry and make a powder for toothaches. The 1:2 is 1 part fresh spilanthes and 2 part ETOH.
Thanks for the information Liz
Thank you so much my name Joseph mains from Kenya and I’m herbrlest I want to take this moment to say God blessens be with u for that information