Spilanthes: A Natural Botox Alternative

Do you want to look younger without the use of harsh chemicals? If so, you should consider using spilanthes as a natural Botox alternative. We've been buzzing like bees at High Thyme Herb Farm & Apiary over spilanthes - the key ingredient in our Fountain of Youth skincare. If you've never heard of it, you're not alone. While it is quickly gaining popularity in the UK, spilanthes is not so well-known in the U.S. Yet. High Thyme FARMacy hopes to help change that.

Spilanthes acmella, also known as "the toothache plant," "buzz buttons," or, most relevant here, "the Botox plant," is a plant with anesthetic properties in addition to a myriad of other skin-loving benefits.

Spilanthes is a medicinal plant that can be found in many parts of the world. It has been used for centuries to treat a variety of medical conditions, however, recent research has shown that spilanthes can also be used to reduce wrinkles and improve skin appearance.

Acmella oleracea is a species of flowering herb in the sunflower family (Asteraceae) and is closely related to the daisy. Common names include: spilanthes or spilanthes acmella, paracress, toothache plant, Botox plant, eyeball plant, electric daisy, electric buttons, buzz buttons, and Sichuan or Schezuan buttons.

It is unclear where spilanthes originates from - it's likely derived from Brazil, however, it can now be found all over the world. Spilanthes is a small plant with bright, round yellow flowers with red in the center of the flower heads (like "eyeballs"). The leaves and flowers are both edible, and they have a spicy, grassy, peppery taste. 

Small amounts of fresh leaves add a unique flavor to salads, and combining the flowers with chilis & garlic adds flavor to other foods. A concentrated extract of the plant, sometimes called jambu oil or jambu extract, is used as a flavoring agent in foods, chewing gum, and chewing tobacco. It is also used as an ingredient in some toothpaste and mouthwashes.

We initially began growing this unique little plant for its medicinal properties, particularly for its mouth-numbing ability when chewing the flowers. This is our favorite plant to have guests try when they visit - a small nibble of this bright gold and red inflorescence flower quickly produces a strong tingling sensation and numbness, and often causes excessive salivation.

We’ve always known that spilanthes is special; it is a natural anesthetic and can be used topically, as in the case of its use in toothache and oral pain relief, but there’s so much more to this multidimensional plant. 

Spilanthes has been used for centuries to treat numerous medical conditions. It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial properties. Spilanthes continues to be used in Ayurvedic medicine today. Spilanthes also has some remarkable cosmetic benefits. The plant’s ability to reduce wrinkles and improve skin appearance is now being explored and has shown great potential.

* We will write a separate blog post outlining the many, many medical conditions this truly amazing plant has been known to treat - here we'll focus on the astounding cosmetic benefits.*

The natural compounds in spilanthes work to reduce wrinkles and improve skin appearance in a few ways. The main compound responsible for the anti-aging effects is spilanthol. Spilanthol has been shown to inhibit the release of neurotransmitters that cause muscle contraction, which helps to relax facial muscles and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. 

Spilanthes also contains several other compounds that help to improve skin appearance. These compounds work together to increase collagen production, reduce inflammation, and scavenge free radicals.

A study published in 2015 showed that spilanthes extract was able to increase collagen production by up to 92%. Collagen is the main structural protein in the skin and its degradation leads to wrinkles.

Another study showed that spilanthes was able to reduce inflammation by up to 66%. Chronically inflamed skin can lead to the breakdown of collagen and an overall aged appearance. Reducing inflammation helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of aging.

Spilanthes is a powerful, natural antioxidant that helps to scavenge free radicals that cause damage to skin cells and lead to premature aging. Free radicals are thought to be one of the main causes of wrinkles and other signs of aging; by reducing the number of free radicals, spilanthes can help improve your skin's overall appearance. 

In addition, spilanthes has been shown to contain analgesic, anti-bacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties that can help improve skin appearance by reducing redness and inflammation, preventing acne, and killing bacteria that can cause skin infection.

The combination of spilanthes’ anti-aging compounds makes it a powerful tool in the fight against wrinkles and an excellent alternative to Botox.

There are many reasons to use spilanthes - it's a natural anesthetic, has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, and can help rebuild collagen. But the main reason to use spilanthes is that it works! The anti-aging effects of spilanthes have been well documented in scientific studies. 

In a study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research, spilanthes was found to be just as effective as Botox when used to reduce the appearance of crow's feet lines around the eyes, as well as wrinkles in the forehead. Spilanthes extract was applied twice a day for four weeks, and the results showed that it was able to reduce the depth of the lines by an average of 30%, and it significantly increased skin elasticity. 

The anti-aging effects of spilanthes is real - it's a powerful plant with the ability to reduce wrinkles and improve skin appearance. It has been clinically tested to target the appearance of deep wrinkles and loss of skin firmness, and patents are currently being developed to use spilanthes as a safe alternative to Botox. Studies show that when applied topically, spilanthes has an almost instantaneous effect, even when used at low concentrations. In a clinical study, 75% of patients immediately realized the smoothing effect of spilanthes, noticing results the day after the first application. It has a fully reversible effect over 24 hours but you can expect an interesting cumulative effect when used daily. (As a general rule, High Thyme FARMacy recommends following a new routine for at least three months to gauge the effectiveness of a natural cosmetic, although you should notice a difference after the first month of use). 

Spilanthes is a natural, safe, and effective way to reduce wrinkles and improve skin appearance. It can be used by anyone, regardless of age or skin type. Spilanthes is also affordable and easy to find. 

You can purchase products containing spilanthes online at highthymefarmacy.com. High Thyme FARMacy uses Spilanthes in all "Fountain of Youth" skincare (men's products included), and also in the All-Natural Tattoo Balm. 

High Thyme FARMacy's "farm to face" approach allows complete control over the quality of the plants used, ensuring the entire process is chemical-free, handled with 100% care, and harvested at the optimal time - when the nutrients are at their fullest. The plants are put to use right away, while they are fresh, guaranteeing that none of the plant's beneficial properties or potency is lost.

While there always seems to be a new miracle product or ingredient on the shelves that pledges perfect skin, spilanthes is one to take notice of. With a long history of traditional use and an increasing number of scientific studies to back it up, spilanthes is quickly gaining a reputation as a powerful natural alternative to Botox. 

So, if you're looking to reduce wrinkles and improve skin appearance without harsh chemicals or expensive procedures, spilanthes is definitely worth considering.