A plant record

Toothache plant (créosote pays)

Acmella uliginosa · Asteraceae

EnglishToothache plant

Kreyòlcréosote pays

FrançaisCresson de Para

BotanicalAcmella uliginosa

Also known asSpilanthes uliginosaherbe mal aux dentsbouton d'or

FamilyAsteraceae

Toothache plant (créosote pays) — Acmella uliginosa, used in Haitian and Caribbean herbal tradition

Traditionally used

A little marsh daisy of the paracress kin, its golden flower-buttons tingling and numbing on the tongue. Chewed or held against the gum, it dulls toothache and mouth sores and stirs the flow of saliva — the yard's dentist. Avoid swallowing large amounts, in pregnancy, and alongside prescription drugs (spilanthol affects drug metabolism).

In three languages

Kreyòl — moulen / moupe tèt flè pou trete maldan; trete maladi bouch (apt, ilsè); soulaje doulè ak angourdi jansiv (spilanthol) Evite vale gwo kantite, evite pandan gwosès, ak evite ansanm ak medikaman sou preskripsyon (spilanthol modifye metabolis medikaman).

Français — Petite marguerite des marais, de la parenté du cresson de Para, aux boutons dorés qui picotent et engourdissent la langue. Mâchée ou tenue contre la gencive, elle calme rage de dents et aphtes et fait couler la salive — le dentiste de la cour. Éviter d'en avaler de grandes quantités, pendant la grossesse et avec des médicaments sur ordonnance (le spilanthol modifie le métabolisme des médicaments).

Safety

Safety notes for this plant are still being written. Until they are, treat it with a cautious hand.

Plants can look similar and be misidentified — always verify with a local herbalist or guide before use.

Sources & lineage

TRAMIL Caribbean pharmacopoeia; Caribbean ethnobotany

Kept alongside

MugwortYarrowCalendula / Pot marigoldChamomileCurry Plant / ImmortelleCarline thistle

More on Haitian plant medicine