Evidence supporting the use of: Toothache Plant
For the body system: Gums
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3
Toothache Plant (Acmella oleracea), also known as "Spilanthes," has a long history of traditional use for oral health, particularly in supporting gum health and relieving toothache pain. The plant contains spilanthol, a compound that produces a tingling sensation and has mild anesthetic properties. Traditionally, indigenous peoples in South America and other regions have chewed the fresh flowers or leaves to numb tooth pain, stimulate saliva production, and soothe inflamed gums. These uses are well-documented in ethnobotanical literature. Although there are a few preliminary studies suggesting anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial properties in extracts of the plant, high-quality clinical trials in humans are lacking. The available scientific evidence is mostly limited to in vitro (test tube) or animal studies, which show that Toothache Plant extracts can inhibit certain oral pathogens and reduce inflammation, but this has not been conclusively demonstrated in human gum health. Therefore, its use to support gums is primarily justified by tradition, with moderate supporting evidence from laboratory research but insufficient clinical validation.
Other ingredients that support Gums
AcaciaAgonandra
Agrimonia pilosa
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Aloe vera
anthocyanins
apple
apple cider vinegar
Areca
Ascophyllum nodosum
asiaticoside
aucubin
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Baccharis dracunculifolia
bai ji
balsam
bayberry
bee products
bee propolis
benzoin
berry
betel
betony
bilberry
bioflavonoids
bistort
blackberry
Bletilla
bloodroot
Boswellia
Brazilian peppertree
cajuput
Calendula
Calycophyllum
canaigre
capsicum
cardamom
carvacrol
Casearia sylvestris
catechins
catechu
cayenne pepper
cinquefoil
Cistus
Citrus
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coca
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
collagen
Collinsonia
comfrey
commiphora
cranesbill
Curcuma
curcumin
Curcuminoid
cutch
Cyanthillium cinereum
dragon\'s blood
Drynaria
Echinacea
emblicanin
eugenol
European five-finger grass
fiber
flavanones
flavans
flavonoids
flavonols
flavonones
fleabane
fluoride
fluorine
frankincense
fructoborate
Gambir
garlic
Glechoma hederacea
goldenseal
goldenseal
goldthread
gooseberry
Guava
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Heliopsis
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herbal blend (proprietary)
hesperidin
honey
horsetail
hyaluronic acid
Indian frankincense
Indian kinotree
Jaboticaba
Kigelia africana
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactoperoxidase
Lady's Mantle
lemon
Leptospermum scoparium
leucoanthocyanidins
licorice root
lime
lingonberry
lodhtree
lysozyme
Mahonia
mallow
Malva sylvestris
mango
manzanita
marigold
Marking Nut Tree
Marshmallow
Massularia acuminata
Mastic gum
Matico
melaleuca alternifolia
Menthol oil
Mineral ascorbate
mixed carotenoids
Mucilage
Myrobalan
Myrrh
Nasturtium
Neem tree
New Jersey Tea
Nimbidin
Oak
Oleuropein
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
omega-3 fatty acids
orange
oregon grape
Orris
Pacific madrone
pagoda tree
Pedra hume
Pellitory
Persimmon
phenolic compounds
Phosphate ascorbate
pine bark
Plantago
plantain
polyphenols
Potentilla
prickly ash
proanthocyanidins
procyanidin
procyanidol
Propolis
Pterocarpus marsupium
Pterospermum
punicalagins
Pycnogenol
raspberry
Rhus coraria
Rhus coriaria
Rhus glabra
Rosa californica
rose hips
Rubus
sage
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Sapindus mukorossi
Self-Heal
shepherd's purse
Silverweed
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Smoketree
Spanish Needle
Spilanthes
Streptococcus oralis
Streptococcus salivarius
Tannins
Tea Tree Oil
Terminalia
Thymol
Toothache Plant
Tridax
Triphala
turmeric
Ulmus
Vestitol
vitamin C
vitamin K
Water Pepper
White oak
White Tea
white willow
Witch Hazel
Yarrow
Yellow root
Yerba Mansa
zanthoxylum
Zinc
Other body systems supported by Toothache Plant
Digestive SystemGastrointestinal Tract
Gums
Mucus Membranes
Nerves
Skin
Teeth
