Acmella oleracea

Acmella oleracea

With Jambu [ ʒãbu ] is called in Northern Brazil, the plant Acmella oleracea ( the daisy family, Asteraceae). Misleading is the German name sometimes used " Parákresse " that suggests an affiliation to the family of cruciferous plants. A. oleracea is only known from culture, as home to Peru is suspected. It is in English because of their effect schmerzbetäubenden toothache plant ( " toothache plant" ) called because of the shape of the flower heads themselves also find the name eyeball plant ( " Eyeball Plant "). Also the shape due to the flower heads it is, like some other species of plants, called in German " Hussars Button". Other common names are "Para cress herb" and " Prickelknopf ". In wholesale markets, you can buy the flower heads as Szechuan buttons. However, they have a short shelf life.

At least two other species of the genus Acmella (A. ciliata, A. brachyglossa ) are also referred to as " Jambu ", but have no material impact on the commercial cultivation.

Description

A. oleracea is an annual herbaceous plant. The leaves are simple and have a notched leaf edge. Are formed basket- like inflorescences. The fruits are achenes. This species is very sensitive to frost.

Use

Cooked Jambu leaves are used in northern Brazil for various traditional dishes, especially in conjunction with Tucupi, such as Pato no Tucupi ( duck and Jambu vegetables, cooked in Tucupi ), a culinary specialty in the region Belém. Jambu leaves produce an unusual for the European palate " tingling ", slightly numbing sensation on the tongue.

Jambu leaves is attributed to an anti-inflammatory effect; However, antibacterial effects could not be detected. The plants are used in folk medicine for rheumatism, gout, gingivitis and skin fungus. When the leaves are chewed raw, it starts after a few seconds on the tongue to tingle similar to the effect of effervescent powder, which spreads an aromatic herb flavor.

Pictures

Jambu ( here the type Acmella ciliata ( Kunth ) Cass. ) From a market in Bragança, North Brazil:

Flower heads

Detail of flower head