Acmella ciliata
StarAcmella ciliata
Synonyms: Acmella fimbriata, Spilanthes ciliata, Spilanthes popayanensis, Ceratocephalus fimbriatus, Spilanthes poeppigii, Ceratocephalus poeppigii, Spilanthes fimbriata, Spilanthes melampodioides, Ceratocephalus ciliatus
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
Acmella ciliata is one of the South American 'toothache plants': indigenous peoples traditionally crush or chew its golden, button-like flower heads and apply them to alleviate toothache, mouth sores and sore throat, the chewed material producing a tingling, numbing sensation that gives temporary relief (Mbeunkui et al., 2021). The effect is attributed to the alkamide spilanthol, concentrated in the flowers and shown to act as a local anaesthetic. This use is documented for A. ciliata in its own right and is not borrowed from A. oleracea.
Botanical Description
Acmella ciliata (basionym Spilanthes ciliata) is a low, spreading annual or short-lived perennial herb of the Asteraceae, native to tropical America and naturalized widely in the tropics. It has succulent, often reddish, decumbent to ascending stems that root at the lower nodes, and opposite, ovate, toothed leaves with ciliate margins. The flower heads are golden-yellow, cone- or button-shaped and borne on long peduncles; in this and related 'toothache plants' the heads typically lack conspicuous ray florets, consisting mainly of densely packed disc florets. The fruit is a small, flattened achene with ciliate margins. Chewing the flower heads or foliage produces a characteristic tingling, numbing sensation owing to the alkamide spilanthol, which is most concentrated in the flowers. It is a plant of moist, open, disturbed ground, gardens and stream banks.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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