Spilanthes: The Toothache Plant

Common names for herbs are often linked to their traditional uses, and one of the common names for Spilanthes acmella is toothache plant, alluding to this herb’s traditional use as a dental health remedy. An aromatic and pungent herb, spilanthes contains alkamindes, pungent compounds that cause tingling or numbing effects on the mouth and tongue. One of these compounds, spilanthol has been shown to have analgesic, neuroprotective, antioxidant, antimutagenic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antilarvicidal, and insecticidal activities.

Spilanthes for Dental Health

Applied topically, spilanthol and other compounds in spilanthes, are absorbed through the skin causing a local numbing effect, which is why it can be applied topically to the gums to ease toothache. The easiest way to use it is to put some spilanthes tincture on a gauze pad or small piece of a cotton ball and apply it directly to the gum where the problem is. The tincture will not only help to ease the pain, it will also help fight the infection because the plant is antimicrobial, too.

Spilanthes is also good for gingivitis. Applied topically to gums, it kills infection, reduces inflammation, and stops the bleeding. It also helps to prevent cavities. It can be applied topically to the gums or used as a mouthwash by diluting the tincture with some warm water. It can be combined with other herbal tinctures for healing the gums, too. These include myrrh, goldenseal, thyme, and cinnamon. Several companies make a gum health formula using spilanthes as a key ingredient.

Spilanthes for Infection

Spilanthes isn’t just for dental health. It can also be helpful for a wide variety of infections. It is antifungal and antiviral as well as antibacterial, so it can be used for ear infections, sore throats, colds, and respiratory tract infections. 

For bacterial infections, herbalists combine it with herbs like echinacea, baptisia, myrrh, and goldenseal. For fungal infections, it is combined with black walnut, myrrh, usnea, pau d’arco, and oregano. 

Spilanthes tincture can also be applied topically to treat herpes.  Internally, it also reduces inflammation in the genitourinary tract so it can be helpful for cystitis and urethritis. It has also been used to treat malaria.

Other Potential Benefits of Spilanthes

Researchers are studying other potential benefits of spilanthes. For example, it appears to have a neuroprotective effect. The alkaylamindes in spilanthes are able to cross the blood-brain barrier once they are absorbed from the gut and appear to reduce oxidative stress in the brain. The plant also contains beta-caryophyllene, which appears to work in the endocannabinoid system to protect neurons.

Spilanthes also has the potential to help reduce inflammation in the GI tract, possibly helping to heal ulcers and ulcerative colitis. It promotes the flow of saliva, which also makes it helpful for dry mouth. It may also be helpful for reducing inflammatory conditions on the skin.

Using Spilanthes

The fresh leaves and flowers work best, followed by a tincture of the fresh plant. It’s possible to grow the plant, although I have never done so. You can chew the fresh flowers for relief from toothache, sore throat, or sores on the tongue or gums. You can also apply the plant to the skin for rashes. You can also make a decoction of the fresh leaves or flowers and use it as a mouthwash or fomentation for skin problems.

The tincture can be applied topically or taken internally, either as a single or part of a formula. The standard dose is 3-30 drops. Spilanthes is not recommended for internal use during pregnancy.