Acmella oleracea/Spilanthes Acmella ~ "Toothache Plant"

[Anonymous]

Acmella oleracea/Spilanthes Acmella ~ "Toothache Plant"?

Anybody got any info on the "Toothache" plant?

Has anybody ever actually used it?

Is it hard to grow from seed?

Any tips on it's cultivation or usage?

[Amomynous]

I was in Peru once and a curandera had it growing at her compound. She shared a little with me, and while I don't know much about it, I can attest that when rubbed on the gums it has extremely strong analgesic effects.

[Anonymous]

Awesome, can you tell me anythng more?

[Hillshaman]

I actually have a number as seeds at the moment. The flower heads, as well as the leaves are active, however, it is the flower heads that lead to whole mouth analgesia. It's a mean trick to play on an unsuspecting friend.
Apparently they have a strong anti-bacterial and detoxifying effect as well.
Thus far, the two plants we have grown were both consumed by aphids (unfortunately, neither wants the karmic hit of squashing those hungry little creatures.)
I hear they grow and reseed themselves quite easily in areas above zone 4 or 5.
Neat plant, for sure.
Best,
Hillshaman

[dogbane26]

I have a plant of Spilanthus oleracea.  

It produced one flower so far and another is on its way.  My plant isn't doing to well right now and I had to spray it with a neem product to get rid of some red spider mites.  

I will have seeds for trade in the future.  

All I will say is they probably have the potential to become weedy in subtropical and tropical climates.  

The seeds germinate in less than a week which leads me to believe it is a weed.

[Stonehenge]

I grew it once and did get some eyeball flowers. Never tried eating them. They died out on me so they do require some care.

[dogbane26]

I have seeds right now if anyone is interested?  

I have about 30 seeds and will be storing more when my next flower dries up.

Asteraceae Family, I have heard tend to be D-70 germinators.

Seeds require a period of dry storage before germination will take place,  meaning fresh seed is dormant but seeds that have been allowed to sit in a dry dark place for awhile will be ready to plant.  

I am not sure how long they take. I am guessing in 3 months some will at least germinate.  

Spilanthus oleracea seeds are easy to germinate and good for impatient people. Many will germinate in less than a week.    

I am guessing in tropical climates where it isn't native it could become a weed since it can self sow.

Most noxious weeds are in the Asteraceae family.  

It probably has less of a chance of being invasive in cold temperate climates but may still be able to come up each year from seeds so could be used as a false annual.

I say false in that it is a tender perennial that can behave as a true annual by coming back from seed where the whole plant dies because of a freeze.