Acmella oleracea / Spilanthes

Description

Family: Asteraceae

Genus: Acmella

Species: Acmella oleracea

Medicinal plant. Comes from Brazil, can be grown as an annual or a perennial plant, but because of the fact that the plant can’t withstand temperatures below -4°C it should be kept inside during winter. All parts of the plant are edible. Leaves are used as greens, it can be cut up and added to salads, it adds a specific taste because of the cooling and buzzing effect which comes from the alkaloid spilanthol. The plant is primarily used against toothaches. When the leaves or flower heads are chewed on the toothaches decreases after two minutes. It can also act as a sedative. It is used against tooth diseases, inflammations and rheumatism. It acts as antifungal substance, strengthens the immune system, cleanses the blood.
Contents: Essential oils, fats, tannins, resins, phytosterols, spilanthol.

Propagation: Seeds, cuttings

Pre-treatment : /

Sowing : Surface sow on a damp soil, keep the temperature and humidity high

Germination: Few days

Location: Sunny location or half shade

Hardiness zone : 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)