Paracress, Spice
Paracress (Acmella oleracea syn. Spilanthes oleracea and Spilanthes acmella) is a flowering herb in the family Asteraceae, native to the tropics of Brazil. It is commonly known as toothache plant, Brazil cress and Spilanthes Extract. It is often cultivated as ornamental and medicinal plant in tropical countries where it is used as a salad. Paracress is a small, erect plant of rapid growth, and has cordate stalked leaves. It has an acrid, aromatic taste, resembling but stronger than peppermint. The leaves and gold-red flower heads contain spilanthol, an analgesic agent used to numb toothache. Eating the flower buds (known as Buzz Buttons, Szechuan buttons, sansho buttons, and electric buttons), will slowly develops from pleasant and grassy, to an extremely strong tingling-burning and numbing sensation in the mouth, and often with excessive saliva production and a cooling sensation in the throat. In India, the flower buds are used to flavor chewing tobacco. Fresh leaves are shredded and used in adding a unique flavor to salads. Cooked leaves are used as leafy greens, as fresh leaves lose their strong flavor during cooking. In Northern parts of Brazil, especially in Para, both fresh and cooked leaves are used in dishes and stews, often combined with chilis and garlic. Paracress helps improve the appetite and digestive function, and to overcome nausea and vomiting. It can also be used in treating non-mercurial ptyalism, and in the inflammations of the mouth and throat, in gout and rheumatic affection.  Paracress Author: H. Zell (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported) | ||
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