The world may soon benefit from a plant long-used by indigenous people in the Peruvian Amazon for toothaches, eliminating the need for local injections in some cases. Researchers have created a medicinal gel from a plant known commonly as spilanthes extract (Acmella Oleracea), which could become a fully natural alternative to current anesthetics and may even have a wide-range of applications beyond dental care.
“We could be looking at the end of some injections in the dentist’s surgery. We’ve had really clear result from the tests so far, particularly for peridodontological procedures such as root scaling and planing, and there are many other potential applications. The native forest people described to me exactly how the medicine could and should work and they were absolutely right,” Cambridge University anthropologist, Françoise Barbira Freedman, said in a press release.
 Acmella oleracea has led to a possible new treatment for dental pain. Photo by: Jkadavoor. |
Freedman was the first westerner to live with the Keshwa Lamas indigenous tribe in Peru; they introduced her to the power of spilanthes extract, which is grown ornamentally around the world but native to the Amazon. In 1975 one of the tribe alleviated pain in Freedman’s wisdom teeth by having her bite into the plant.
“During the time I have spent with the Keshwa Lamas I’ve learnt all about the different plants and leaves they use for everyday illnesses and ailments. I first went to Peru as a young researcher hoping to learn more about what was a secretive community who were experts in shamanism. Along the way I’ve learnt a great deal about natural medicines and remedies; everything from toothache to childbirth,” Freedman says.
Freedman has now founded pharmaceutical company Ampika Ltd., which is linked to Cambridge University’s commercial arm. A portion of proceeds from the company will also be shared among the Keshwa Lamas people, who Freedman still visits.
Beyond dental operations, the gel may also alleviate infant pain during teething.
“There are a range of mucous tissue applications it could benefit, and may even help bowel complaints such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome),” says Freedman.
The medicinal gel is currently in trials, but Freedman says she expects it to be on the market by 2014 or 2015.
Although the world’s tropical rainforests are under assault by logging, agriculture, monocultures, cattle, and fossil fuel industries, scientists believe the forests contain an untapped medicine cabinet that could provides cures for many of the world’s ailments. Currently less than 5 percent of the world’s tropical forest plants and less than 0.1 percent of its animals have been tested for medicinal properties.
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