Spilanthes acmella flower extract is extracted using water and grain alcohol as a solvent, from the annual herb Spilanthes acmella Murr. which belongs to the Asteraceae family and grows in humid tropical and subtropical climates.

It appears as a brown powder or yellow oily liquid.

What it is used for and where

Medical

Herbs of the genus Spilanthes are distributed in about 60 species and are used in traditional medical medicine to treat fever, rheumatism, sore throats and haemorrhoids. The flowers are chewable and are used to relieve toothache. They also have anaesthetic and diuretic activity (1).  In Spilanthes acmella, flavonoids have an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action.

Cosmetics

A constituent of Spilanthes acmella is spilanthol (N-isobutyl-2, 6, 8-decatrienamide),  which has demonstrated anti-ageing and myorelaxant properties on the skin that can reduce skin slackening, smooth wrinkles and fine lines.

Food

Spilanthes acmella is an edible herb and its extract is included as a flavouring in food, chewing gum. Spilanthol is responsible for the aromatic taste and the ability to increase salivation. It also serves as a side dish in salads. 

Other uses

Spilanthes acmella extract has proven effective against the larvae of the mosquito Aedes aegyptii and Helicoverpa zea, a butterfly that attacks maize (2). Sbiancante.

For more information: 

Spilanthes acmella flower extract studies

Typical commercial product characteristics Spilanthes Acmella Extract

References______________________________________________________________________

(1) Ratnasooriya WD, Pieris KP, Samaratunga U, Jayakody JR. Diuretic activity of Spilanthes acmella flowers in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Apr;91(2-3):317-20. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2004.01.006. 

(2) Ramsewak RS, Erickson AJ, Nair MG. Bioactive N-isobutylamides from the flower buds of Spilanthes acmella. Phytochemistry. 1999 Jul;51(6):729-32. doi: 10.1016/s0031-9422(99)00101-6.