50 Toothache Plant Seeds/Acmella Oleracea/Paracress/Tingflowers/Electric daisy/Buzz buttons/Highly Medicinal and Beneficial Perennial/P055
Acmella oleracea is a species of flowering herb in the family Asteraceae. Common names include toothache plant, paracress, Sichuan buttons, buzz buttons, tingflowers and electric daisy. Its native distribution is unclear, but it is likely derived from a Brazilian Acmella species
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 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 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.
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 also said to attract fireflies
Toothache Plant is a tender perennial that is commonly used to treat toothaches along with other mouth, throat, and gum conditions. The leaves and flowers can be chewed to have a mildly anesthetizing effect. This medicinal herb also has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, and it enhances the immune system. The leaves are often eaten raw and taste good in salads.
The Toothache Plant has reddish-green foliage and tight, compact little pompom flowers that have no petals. The flowers are yellow with a red center, and they resemble an eyeball, so the herb plant is also commonly referred to as Eyeball Plant and Para Cress.
How To Grow Toothache Plant From Herb Seeds: In areas of frost, grow Toothache Plant seeds as annuals. It prefers full sun or partial shade. Start the herb seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last expected frost date. Transplant the young plants outside into a prepared site that has had organic compost worked in. Wait until frost danger has passed to plant outside. Once the young Para Cress plants have several sets of mature leaves, pinch back the stems to encourage a more bushy and compact growth.
Season: Perennial
USDA Zones: 9 - 11
Height: 18 - 24 inches
Bloom Season: Mid summer to early fall
Bloom Color: Yellow w/ red
Environment: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type: Prefers moist, but well-drained soils
Temperature: 70F (21 C)
Average Germ Time: 7 - 14 days
Light Required: Yes
Depth: Do not cover seed, but press firmly in to soil
Sowing Rate: 8 - 10 seeds per plant
Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination
Plant Spacing: 12 - 15 inches