Toothache Plant

Toothache Plant (Spilanthes Oleracea) -This is a helpful plant to grow in the herb garden! Toothache Plant is a tender perennial and an attractive plant that is commonly used to treat toothaches along with other mouth, throat, and gum conditions. The leaves and flowers can be chewed to have a mildly anesthetizing effect. This medicinal herb also has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, and it enhances the immune system. The leaves are often eaten raw and taste good in salads.

The Toothache Plant has reddish-green foliage and tight, compact little pompom flowers that have no petals. The flowers are yellow with a red center, and they resemble an eyeball, so the herb plant is also commonly referred to as Eyeball Plant!

In areas of frost, grow Toothache Plant as an annual. It prefers full sun or partial shade. Start the herb seed indoors 4 – 6 weeks before the last expected frost date. Transplant the young plants outside into a prepared site that has had organic compost worked in. Wait until frost danger has passed to plant outside. Once the young herb plants have several sets of mature leaves, pinch back the stems to encourage a more bushy and compact growth.