Spilanthes acmella is a genus of plants that have major potential as a potent medicine, an all natural aphrodisiac and extremely effective anti-aging tool. In this post, we will discuss our most favorite plant, Paracress, the benefits of its bioactive components, and which products we currently offer.      (R = reference)

PLANT BASICS:
Plants belonging to genus Acmella are called Spilanthes and there are over 30 species with the most common species used in Africa and India. R

Traditionally, spilanthes has been used for treatment of toothache, stomatitis, throat complaints, malaria, soreness, dysentery, and gum care. R

The major bioactive compounds, spilanthol (affinin) and alkylamides are found in: R

• Spilanthes species (other names: Acmella Oleracea, Paracress, Jambu, Tshishengelaphofu, Sichuan buttons)
• Heliopsis longipes (other names: Chilcuague, Chilcuán, Chilmecatl, Aztec root, Golden root)

Other bioactive activities of Spilanthes are attributed to multiple bioactive compounds, N-isobutylamides, phenolic compounds, coumarins, and triterpenoids. R

BENEFITS OF PARACRESS (Spilanthes acmella)

1) Combats Skin Aging
In Spilanthes acmella, spilanthol is responsible for anti-aging effects while trans-ferulic acid possess antioxidant activity. R

In combination with certain botanicals, Spilanthes has an anti-aging effect on the skin. R More specifically, our products containing BiOlera (special blend of botanicals) stimulate the synthesis of type I collagen in fibroblasts and decrease the degradation of collagen, accelerates the collagen synthesis, and exerts potent inhibitory activity against fibroblast elastases.

Spilanothol can penetrate the skin. R R

Spilanothol has anti-inflammatory effects on the skin (by suppressing COX-2) by reducing expression of inflammatory cytokines (such as IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, ICAM-1) and increasing Heme Oxygenase (HO‑1). R

2) Has Antimicrobial Properties
Spilanthes has antibacterial effects against:

• Bacillus cereus R
• Bacillus subtilis R
• Eikenella corrodens R
• Enterococcus faecalis R
• Escherichia coli R R
• Lactobacillus paracasei R
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus R
• MRSA R
• Pectobacterium carotovorum R
• Ralstonia solanacearum R
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae (brewer's yeast) R
• Staphylococcus aureus R R
• Staphylococcus epidermidis R R
• Streptococcus mutans R
• Streptococcus oralis R
• Streptococcus pyogens R
• Streptococcus sanguis R
• Streptococcus sobrinos R
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa R

Spilanthes can act as an antifungal against:

• Aspergillus fumigatus R
• Aspergillus niger R
• Candida albicans R
• Candida krusei R
• Candida parapsilosis R
• Fusarium oxysporum R
• Penicillium spp R
• Piriformospora indica R
• Trichophyton mentagrophytes R

Spilanthes can act as an antiparasitic against:

• Plasmodium berghei R
• Plasmodium falciparum (and may help prevent malaria) R R
• Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense R 

Spilanthes is able to reduce HIV/AIDS replication. R

Spilanthes has insecticidal/pesticidal properties against:

• Anopheles gambiae R
• Anopheles stephensi (and may help prevent malaria) R R
• Culex quinquefasciatus R
• Diamondback Moth/Cabbage Moth (Plutella xylostella) R
• Ticks, such as Rhipicephalus microplus (Australian cattle tick, southern cattle tick, Cuban tick, Madagascar blue tick, and Porto Rican Texas fever tick) and Dermacentor nitens (American Levi tick) R R R R R R
• Tomato leafminer R

Spilanthes may be toxic to some shellfish:

• Crustacea ie Shrimp R
• Mollusks R
  

3) Increases Urine Output and Water Intake
Spilanthes can act on the kidneys as a diuretic and can increase urine/salt excretion (increases urine Na+, K+ and a reduces osmolarity). R R

Spilanthes may also help increase water intake. R

Spilanthol can also significantly increase salivary output - for example, saliva flow increased 440% over baseline with use of a flavored toothpick and 628% over baseline with similarly flavored toothpicks infused with spilanthol. R

4) Enhances Oral Health
Spilanthes has bioactivity on oral health. R
For example, spilanthes (as well as Black Garlic, Black Seed Oil ((Nigella Sativa), and Propolis) can protect the microbiome in the mouth from dysbiosis caused by bad bacteria and fungi. R 
Spilanthes can also be used to reduce oral candida (thrush). R
Spilanthes can also be used in films for reducing oral pain. R

5) Protects The Brain
Spilanthes is neuroprotective against pesticide-induced neuronal death (by stabilizing calcium induced excitotoxicity and improving dopamine release). R

Spilanthes can provide neuroprotection from oxidative stress by upregulating Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) and Forkhead Box O3a (FOXO3A) as well as Superoxide Dismutase 2 (SOD2), Catalase, and B-Cell Lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) proteins. R

N-Alkylamides (NAAs) from Spilanthes can cross the gut barrier and are easily absorbed into the brain through the blood-brain barrier once it reaches the blood. R R R

Spilanthes also contains beta-caryophyllene which has major neuroprotective properties by acting on the endocannabinoid system.- R

Spilanthol (from heliopsis) may produce a stimulating effect similar to caffeine. R

6) Combats Ulcers In The Gut
Spilanthes may help protect against alcohol-induced ulcers. R

For example, in animals spilanthes can accelerate healing of ulcers by increasing of cellular proliferation and gastric mucus content, but reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. R

Spilanthes in animal models is also very effective at combating ulcerative colitis. R

7) Fights Pain
Extracts of spilanthes and heliopsis have been to create powerful anesthetics for combating pain. R R R

Spilanthol can counteract pain by acting on opiodergic, serotoninergic, and GABAergic systems, as well as the NO/cGMP/K channel pathway and TRPV1/TRPA1 receptors. R R R

For example, heliopsis can produce intense numbness and a tingling sensation in the lips, tongue and mouth. R

Spilanthes can also produce this numbing/tingling effect. R

N‑Alkylamides can work on the endocannabinoid system, bind to CB1 receptors, inhibit Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH), and inhibit of anandamide cellular uptake. R

Some of spilanthes' pain reducing effects can be attributed to it's antihistamine effects as well. R

8) Quenches Inflammation
Spilanthol has major anti-inflammatory effects. R R

For example, spilanthes can inhibit macrophage activation from Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses - reduces inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), NF-kb, IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha. R

9) Promotes A Healthy Vascular System

Spilanthes (as well as Spilanthol from Heliopsis) protects the vascular system as it increases antioxidant levels in the heart and can act as a vasorelaxant (acts as a vasodilator via NO/cGMP, CO/cGMP, H2S/KATP, and PGI2/cAMP). R R

Spilanthes may also help prevent thrombosis. R

10) Improves Lung Function
Spilanthes can combat fungi that contribute to Tuberculosis (TB), coughs, and sore throats. R R

Spilanthes can also reduce inflammation in the lungs by suppressing COX-2 and ICAM-1 expression. R

Spilanthes can also boost the antioxidant levels in the lungs by activating NRF2. R

11) Has Antioxidant Properties
Bioactive compound in spilanthes (such as their flavonoids) are potent free radical scavengers. R R

By reducing oxidative stress, spilanthes may help protect against carcinogen-induced DNA damage. R

12) Improves Wound Healing

Spilanthol and α-Humulene can increase levels of collagen deposition in wounds. R

Spilanthes also has anesthetic properties (time ~83.6 (±28.5) min) making it useful for skin wounds, pressure sore, and infected surgical wounds treatment. R

13) Enhances Libido And Sex Behavior
Spilanthens is a popular female aphrodisiac and can influence the estrous cycle without altering folliculogenesis and fertility. R

For example in female animal models, splianthes can increase the frequency of the Proestrous (P) and Estrous (E) phase, while reducing the metaestrous (M) and diestrous (D) phases. R

In male animal models, N-alkylamides acted similarly to Sildeafinil (Viagra). R

In this study, N-alkylamides increased mounting frequency, intromission frequency and ejaculation frequency, as well as sex hormones Follicule Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Testosterone (T). R

In Uganda, spilanthes has been used traditionally to induce labor. R

14) Improves Metabolic Disease
Spilanthes may help with parasite-induced metabolic disease. R

For example, in animal models, spilanthes can restore abnormal lipid levels caused by Plasmodium berghei infection - reduced plasma level Total Cholesterol (TC), Triacylglycerol and Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) and increased High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C). R

15) Combats Diabetes
Spilanthes may be useful as an antidiabetic as it can protect against high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) by normalizing blood sugar. R

Spilathenes can normalize other markers of diabetes, such as MDA, AST, ALT, and creatinine levels, while increasing glutathione and TAOS. R

16) Fights Cancer
Spilanthes may have anti-cancer effects on:

• Breast Cancer R
• Cervical Cancer R
• Colon Cancer R
• Skin Cancer R

Spilanthes can also reduce DNA damage and mutations from the consumption of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs).