Acmella oleracea, also known under its old names Spilanthes oleracea
and Spilanthes acmella and commonly referred to as Spilanthes
Extract, is a flowering herb in the plant family Asteraceae, also
known as toothache plant or paracress as the leaves and flower heads
contain an analgesic agent spilanthol used to numb toothache. It is
native to the tropics of Brazil, and is grown as an ornamental (and
occasionally as a medicinal) in various parts of the world. A small,
erect plant, it grows quickly and sends up gold and red flower
inflorescences. It is frost-sensitive but perennial in warmer
climates.
Contents
ulinary uses
For culinary purposes, small amounts of shredded fresh leaves add
a unique flavour to salads. Cooked leaves lose their strong flavour
and may be used as leafy greens. Both fresh and cooked leaves are
used in dishes (such as stews) in Northern parts of Brazil,
especially in the state of Pará, often combined with chillies and
garlic to add flavor and vitamins to other foods. A related species
is used in several Southeast Asian dishes, such as salads.
Consumption of portions or whole flowers have been reportedly used
to offset the intense heat of chillies and peppers.[citation needed]
Eating a whole flower bud results in a grassy taste, followed by
an extremely strong tingling or numbing sensation and often
excessive saliva production and a cooling sensation in the throat.
These buds are known as Buzz Buttons, Szechuan buttons, sansho
buttons, and electric buttons.In India, the buds are used as
flavoring in chewing tobacco.The leaves of this plant is used by
Bodo-tribals of Bodoland, Assam (India) in preparing a spicy chicken
soup, mixed with other common spices. Bodos believe that this soup
provides relief from cold and cough.
[edit] Medical uses and effects
A decoction or infusion of the leaves and flowers is a
traditional remedy for stammering, toothache, stomatitis,and throat
complaints.
Acmella oleracea extract has been tested against various yeasts
and bacteria and was essentially inactive.
Acmella oleracea has been shown to have a strong diuretic action
in rats.
Spilanthes extract has been discovered to aid in saliva
stimulation for people suffering from dry mouth (xerostomia). Its
properties provide relief to dry mouth by enhancing saliva
production.[citation needed]
Acmella oleracea extract is reported to reduce muscle tension
when applied topically, and as such it aids to decrease facial lines
and wrinkles that are partially caused by tense or contracted facial
muscles. Application of Acmella extract is reported to result in
more relaxed facial muscle, and in turn in a decrease of visible
wrinkles, ageing lines, "crows feet", etc. Some people[who?] compare
it to Botox, but without the toxic effects and without the need to
inject it under the skin; a cheap and easy to apply herbal Botox
replacement.
Active chemicals
The most important taste-active molecules present are the
alkylamides and especially, (2E,6Z,8E)-deca-2,6,8-trienoic acid
N-isobutyl amide or spilanthol,
Spilanthol
which is responsible for the trigeminal and saliva-inducing
effects of products such as Jambu oleoresin, a concentrated extract
from Paracress.
Besides the main active ingredient spilanthol, Acmella also
contains stigmasteryl-3-O-b-D-glucopyranoside and a mixture of
triterpenes.
The isolation and total synthesis of the active ingredients have
been reported.
Pesticide effects
Extracts using hexane of freshly harvested flowers of S. acmella
were bioassayed against Aedes aegypti (yellow fever mosquito) larvae
and Helicoverpa zea (the corn earworm moth) neonates. Spilanthol
proved effective at killing mosquitos, with an LD100 (at 24 hours)
at a concentration of 12.5 µg/mL and showed 50% mortality at 6.25
µg/mL.
The mixture of isomers of spilanthol showed a 66% weight
reduction of H. zea neonate larvae at 250 µg/mL concentration after
6 days. |
