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   Spilanthes acmella is called toothache plant because when you chew on the leaves or flowers it produces a strong, tingling, numbing effect to the tongue, lips, and gums.  Leaves and flowers can be chewed to ease toothache, cleanse the mouth, and tone the gums.  It kills bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, and has been used to treat malaria, candida, lyme disease and ringworm.  Spilanthes enhances immune function and can be used with, or in place of other immune-boosting herbs such as echinacea.    Spilanthes also improves digestion, eases flatulence, improves the appetite, and reduces nausea by its stimulating effect on the salivary glands.   The leaves have a peppery taste and can be added to salads in moderation.

    We offer the whole mature flower heads, which are the most medicinally potent part of the plant.  Each flower head contains hundreds of seeds.  You won't have any trouble sprouting them.  They don't grow very well for us in pots, but spread rapidly and bloom profusely when planted in the ground.