Acmella oleracea
(L.) R. K. Jansen
Para cress, Brazilian cress
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no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子
no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子
What to Eat
Edible parts: Leaves, Vegetable, Flowers
Leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, and are a memorable addition to salads — they stimulate the salivary glands while numbing the tongue and lips. Though they smell like any ordinary leafy green, the taste is something else entirely. It is somewhat reminiscent of Echinacea but without the bitterness or nausea that plant can cause. First comes a strong, spicy warmth spreading across the tongue, which quickly shifts into a prickling sensation. The salivary glands respond dramatically, producing large amounts of saliva. The prickling mellows into an acidic, slightly metallic sharpness with tingling, then numbness — lasting anywhere from two to twenty minutes depending on the person and quantity eaten. A pungent aftertaste can linger for an hour or more. The leaves are a popular ingredient in Amazonian soups and have become a favourite vegetable among Europeans living in Madagascar. A concentrated plant extract — sometimes called jambu oil or jambu extract — is used as a flavouring in foods, chewing gum, and chewing tobacco, described as having a citrus, herbal, tropical, or musty odour with a pungent, cooling, tingling, numbing, or effervescent taste. This extract also finds use as a flavouring agent in cosmetics and shampoos.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
It is a tropical plant. It grows in regions with an average temperature of 26°C. The rainfall is 2,700 mm per year. The relative humidity is 85%. It is damaged by frost.
Africa, Amazon, Asia, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil*, Canada, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo DR, Cuba, East Africa, Ecuador, Gabon, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Leeward Is., Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Peru, Reunion, SE Asia, South America*, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Tropics, USA, Vietnam, West Africa,
How to Identify
A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.
How to Grow
It can be grown from seed. It can also be grown from shoots or cuttings. For seed germination a temperature above 21°C is needed.
Propagation: Sow seed at a temperature of 21°c — germination takes approximately two weeks. Cuttings can be taken when the plant is not in flower.
Medicinal Uses
The most widespread medicinal use is for toothache and infections of the throat and gums. Flower heads are used fresh or dried and powdered worldwide, though roots and leaves have also been recommended. The plant is used to treat dysentery and rheumatism, to support the immune system, and to combat blood parasites — particularly malaria, both as a preventative and a cure. The leaves are sialagogue. Leaves and flower heads together are analgesic, anthelmintic, antibacterial, and antifungal. Note that some of the active medicinal compounds are destroyed by desiccation or freezing. In-vitro studies have demonstrated strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia, Klebsiella, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus, as well as inhibition of Candida albicans.
Other Uses
The plant has proved effective as a natural insecticide against yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) larvae and corn earworm moth (Helicoverpa zea) larvae. It is widely grown as an ornamental for its attractive, colourful flower heads, and is known to attract fireflies when in bloom, as well as bees, butterflies, and birds. Jambu extract is used in cosmetics and shampoos. The flowers are well suited to cutting, drying, and preserving. The plant grows successfully in containers.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Acmella oleracea is a species of flowering herb in the family Asteraceae. Common names include toothache plant, Szechuan buttons, paracress, jambu, buzz buttons, tingflowers and electric daisy. Its native distribution is unclear, but it is likely derived from a Brazilian Acmella species. A small, erect plant, it grows quickly and bears gold and red inflorescences. It is frost-sensitive but perennial in warmer climates. Its specific epithet oleracea means "vegetable/herbal" in Latin and is a form of holeraceus (oleraceus).
Other Information
It is cultivated as a vegetable in some places. It is also sold in markets.
Notes
There are about 30 Acmella species. It has medicinal uses. It has antibacterial activity.
Names & Synonyms
An-ka-sa-kir, An-sa-te, Ansapui, Berro, Berro de Para, Borousni, Brede mafane, Cresson de Para, Ibouoni, Jambu, Marsang, Marshang, Motum mersh, Nyi-ra-ki, Oubouonou, Phak khrat, Rasun sak, Sichuan buttons, Tipebouoti, Toothacheplant, Yoritampobou
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