Pará cress, Toothache Plant, Acmella oleracea

A fast growing perennial plant for frost free climates. Acmella is native to Brazil and has pretty brown and yellow flowers and a bronze green foliage. Para cress grows to about half a meter.

Traditionally the herb was used for toothaches. In India the toothache plant was used for gum diseases and caries. Studies have shown anti-inflammatory properties of acmella. Para cress also helps with the production of salvia and therefore helps the digestion.

Small amounts of acmella used as a culinary herb raw, but the taste is less strong once it’s cooked.