You Have a Toothache? There’s a Plant for that!

Having a bit of downtime while we are preparing to arrive on our land can be a double-edged sword.

How you ask? Well, let me tell you… I mean that’s what this is all about right?  So there I am, minding my own business cruising seed websites and being the natural product, make it myself kinda gal I am – I happen upon: The Toothache Plant!

{Side note: **danger** *DANGER*  DON’T cruise seed websites when you have plenty of time on your hands or you will end up with 52,300,159 seeds on your wish list. Just sayin’}.

According to Wikipedia:

The Toothache Plant, also known as Acmella Oleracea, is a species of flowering herb in the family Asteraceae. Common names include Toothache Plant, Paracress, Szechuan Button, Buzz Buttons and Electric Daisy. It is grown as an ornamental and attracts fireflies when in bloom. It is used as a medicinal remedy in various parts of the world.

I was so jazzed! Have you heard of this plant? I never have. I thought cloves or bourbon were the go-to’s when it came to ailments of the mouth. Those of you that know me are snickering – I can hear you – yes, bourbon can cure everything. LOL! It’s like Windex from My Big Fat Greek Wedding. But not.

Typical of plants, there are so many other things that Acmella Oleracea can be used for. It’s considered to be an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal as well as containing analgesic (pain relieving) properties.   No, it can’t make your mother-in-law disappear but apparently if she has a nasty toothache, it CAN make that disappear.

Just didn’t want you to get your hopes up. All about honesty here.

‘Course the side bonus is it attracts fireflies. I turn into a 5 year old when it’s firefly season. But this is more than I want you to know so let’s return to bourbon the Toothache Plant.

It appears the leaves and flower heads contain the analgesic properties that numbs the tongue and gums. Some sites say you can use this plant in salads. Now that would be a hoot wouldn’t it? Imagine. All of a sudden your guests are having a tingling sensation on their teeth and gums and then

WHAM

numbness at the dinner table.  Clearly a joke you can only try on your closest of friends. As long as you have plenty of napkins. You get the picture.

Nope. I will pass on the food aspect of this plant but a the medicinal properties are intriguing.

How do you use this plant? It seems all you need to do is chew the leaves or flowers and

the numbness begins (again… why is this used in a salad?). “How was the dinner party?  “You mean other than the slight paralyzation of my mouth and drooling at the table? Fine”.

This is a plant that prefers full sun or partial shade. If you live in a frost area,  grow as an annual. Or move to an area that doesn’t have frost. I mean that would make this whole garden thingy easier…right? Start the seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost date. Be sure the frost danger has past before you transplant outdoors. See? Really, consider moving.

If you are interested in the Toothache Plant for your medicinal herb stash (or just good old fashioned practical jokes) you can find seeds at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds or Terrior Seeds.

Of course, I’m not a trained professional and I suggest you investigate any claims of an herbal plant/remedy before trying them… file under Stuff I Gotta Say.

Happy Planting!

Do you have a Favorite medicinal herb?