ILLEA - Latin American Institute for Environmental Studies

Pará cress or Jambu

Acmella oleracea, popularly known as Pará cress or jambu, is a plant native to the Amazon with diverse uses, both in cooking and in traditional medicine. Its medicinal properties are mainly attributed to the compounds present in its leaves and flowers.
• Local anesthetic: Jambu is known to cause a sensation of numbness and tingling in the mouth, due to the presence of spilanthol, a compound with anesthetic properties.

• Analgesic: The plant has been used to relieve toothaches, muscle aches and other localized pains.

• Antiseptic: Jambu has antiseptic properties, which can help in the treatment of oral infections and other superficial infections.

• Immune system stimulant: Some studies suggest that jambu may help strengthen the immune system.

•Other uses: The plant has also been used to treat digestive problems, such as diarrhea and colic, as well as to help treat skin problems.