Spilanthes Acmella

Taken from – MSKCC

Spilanthes acmella is an herbaceous plant that belongs to the family Asteraceae. It is well-known in traditional systems of medicine throughout Asia and South America, where it is known as Jambu. The leaves are used for culinary purposes, and the flowers have been used for their numbing and pain-relieving properties, earning the plant such common names as the toothache plant. It has also been noted to relieve stomatitis, have taste-activating properties, and to induce a salivary response. Spilanthes is used to help relieve side effects from cancer treatments such as dry mouth, gum irritation, loss or changes in taste sensation, and to stimulate appetite.

Spilanthol and acmellonate, compounds derived from this plant, are associated with reduced toothache pain and increased saliva secretion. In vitro and in vivo studies of S. acmella confirm antimalarial, antimicrobial, antifungal, and taste-activating properties. Animal models suggest aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, anesthetic, and antipyretic activities. Acmella uliginosa has demonstrated antinociceptive, antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities. Compounds from A. oleracea have also suggested antinociceptive , gastroprotective , insecticidal, and acaricidal effects.