Acmella oleracea
Acmella oleracea
Acmella oleracea, commonly known as toothache plant, is a flowering herb in the family Asteraceae. It is native to South America and is known for its unique properties and uses in traditional medicine and cuisine.
Description[edit | edit source]
Acmella oleracea is a small, erect plant that typically grows to a height of 30–60 cm. It has a branching habit and features bright green, ovate leaves. The plant is most notable for its yellow and red inflorescences, which are small and button-like in appearance.
Chemical Composition[edit | edit source]
The plant contains several bioactive compounds, the most significant of which is spilanthol, a fatty acid amide responsible for its numbing and tingling effects. Other compounds include undeca-2E,7Z,9E-trienoic acid isobutylamide and undeca-2E-en-8,10-diynoic acid isobutylamide.
Uses[edit | edit source]
Culinary[edit | edit source]
In culinary applications, Acmella oleracea is used as a flavoring agent. The leaves and flowers can be added to salads and other dishes to impart a unique, spicy flavor.
Medicinal[edit | edit source]
Traditionally, Acmella oleracea has been used to treat toothaches, hence its common name. The plant's extracts are applied topically to relieve pain and inflammation. It is also used in some regions to treat other ailments such as sore throats and gum infections.
Cosmetic[edit | edit source]
In recent years, spilanthol has been incorporated into cosmetic products for its purported anti-aging properties. It is believed to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles by relaxing facial muscles.
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Acmella oleracea is relatively easy to cultivate. It prefers warm climates and well-drained soil. The plant can be grown from seeds or cuttings and requires regular watering and full sun exposure.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
Oil extracted from Acmella oleracea
Chemical structure of undeca-2E,7Z,9E-trienoic acid isobutylamide
Chemical structure of undeca-2E-en-8,10-diynoic acid isobutylamide
Related pages[edit | edit source]
Acmella oleracea[edit | edit source]
Close-up of Acmella oleracea flower
Oil extracted from Acmella oleracea
Skeletal structure of Spilanthol
Chemical structure of Undeca-2E,7Z,9E-trienoic acid isobutylamide
Chemical structure of Undeca-2E-en-8,10-diynoic acid isobutylamide
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
