SPILANTHES

Acmella oleracea

  • COMMON NAMES

    Spilanthes, Buzz Buttons, Electric Daisy, Eyeball Plant, Sichuan Buttons, Toothache Plant

  • PLANT FAMILY

    Asteraceae

    The Daisy Family

  • NATIVE REGION

    Native to South America.

  • HABITAT

    The plant prefers moist soil, and is often found in marshes or bodies of water.

  • CULTIVATION

    Annual, from seed

  • PARTS USED

    Leaf

PREPARATION

PROPERTIES: Alkaloids & Saponins

FLAVOR PROFILE: Spicy, Peppery, Numbing (flower buds)

PAIRING: Allspice, Anise, Citrus

  • Use flowering tops and leaves. Discard stems. Chop finely and use 1 heaping teaspoon per cup of hot water.

  • Use flowering tops and leaves. Discard stems. Chop finely and use 1 heaping tablespoon per 1 oz honey; or 1 cup herb per 1 cup honey for a 1:1 ratio.

  • Use flowering tops and leaves. Discard stems. Chop finely and use 1 heaping tablespoon per 1 oz vinegar; or 1 cup herb per 1 cup vinegar for a 1:1 ratio.

  • Use flowering tops and leaves. Discard stems. Chop finely and use 1 heaping tablespoon per 1 oz spirit; or 1 cup herb per 1 cup spirit for a 1:1 ratio.

  • Dries quickly, air dry and do not apply additional heat to retain delicate volatile oil.