Are Buzz Buttons Healthy? Exploring the Benefits and Risks

October 7, 2025 •

4 min read

Used for centuries in traditional folk medicine, buzz buttons, or Acmella oleracea, offer a unique, tingling sensation when consumed. But beyond this novelty, are buzz buttons healthy? This article explores the plant's known health benefits, potential risks, and best practices for consumption.

Quick Summary

An exploration of buzz buttons' health impacts, including traditional medicinal uses, their bioactive compound spilanthol, and potential side effects. The analysis covers antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory effects, and safe consumption guidelines.

Key Points

Natural Analgesic: Buzz buttons' active compound, spilanthol, provides a powerful numbing effect, offering temporary relief for toothaches, gum pain, and sore throats.
Antioxidant Powerhouse: The flowers contain antioxidants that help protect the body's cells from oxidative stress and support overall wellness.
Anti-inflammatory Benefits: Studies suggest that buzz buttons have anti-inflammatory properties, making them useful in traditional remedies for various inflammatory conditions.
Immune System Support: Historically, a tincture made from the plant was used to stimulate the immune response and fight infections.
Important Precautions: Those with allergies to the daisy family, blood-clotting disorders, or other specific health conditions should avoid buzz buttons.
Culinary and Medicinal Applications: Buzz buttons can be used as a culinary garnish for their unique sensory effect or prepared as an extract or tea for medicinal purposes.
Start Slowly: Due to the intense tingling sensation, new users should begin with a very small amount to assess their tolerance.

What are Buzz Buttons?

Buzz buttons, also known as the electric daisy, Szechuan buttons, or toothache plant, are the edible flower heads of the Acmella oleracea plant. Native to tropical regions of South America and now grown worldwide, they are famous for the intense tingling and numbing sensation they produce when chewed. This unique effect is caused by a compound called spilanthol, which stimulates nerve endings and increases salivation. While their most popular use in recent years has been as a garnish in creative cocktails and cuisine, they have a long history of medicinal applications.

The Health Benefits of Buzz Buttons

Buzz buttons contain several compounds with documented health-promoting properties. Their traditional and modern uses point to a range of potential therapeutic effects.

Natural Analgesic: The primary benefit associated with buzz buttons is their natural pain-relieving effect. Spilanthol acts as a topical anesthetic, and chewing the flower can provide temporary relief from toothaches, gum pain, and sore throats. Herbalists and folk medicine have long relied on this property for oral health remedies.
Antioxidant Properties: Like many plant-based foods, buzz buttons are a source of antioxidants. These compounds help protect the body's cells from damage caused by free radicals, which can contribute to overall wellness and potentially lower the risk of certain diseases.
Anti-inflammatory Effects: Research has indicated that the bioactive compounds found in buzz buttons may possess anti-inflammatory properties. This can be useful for reducing inflammation-related discomfort, and it is a key reason for their historical use in traditional medicine.
Immune System Support: Some evidence suggests that buzz buttons can support immune function. In traditional medicine, a tincture made from the plant was used to stimulate the immune system and combat viruses.
Digestive Aid: Traditionally, buzz buttons were used to stimulate appetite and improve digestion. The increased salivation caused by chewing the flowers can aid in the initial stages of food breakdown.
Oral Hygiene: The plant's antibacterial properties can help promote better oral hygiene by reducing the risk of oral infections and cavities.

Potential Risks and Precautions

While generally considered safe for consumption, some precautions are necessary when incorporating buzz buttons into your diet.

Possible Side Effects

Allergic Reactions: As a member of the Asteraceae family (along with daisies, sunflowers, and ragweed), buzz buttons may cause an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals. Symptoms can range from mild tingling to more severe reactions.
Temporary Discomfort: The hallmark tingling and numbing sensation can be overwhelming for some people. New users should start with a small piece to gauge their tolerance. High doses can lead to excessive salivation and drooling.
Contraindications: People with certain medical conditions or those taking specific medications should avoid buzz buttons. This includes individuals with blood-clotting disorders, certain heart conditions, or those on diuretic or blood-thinning agents.
Impact on Gut Bacteria: One caution from herbalists suggests that long-term, daily consumption of spilanthes might affect beneficial gut bacteria, so continuous internal use is not recommended.
Lack of Clinical Studies: While anecdotal and traditional uses are numerous, the effects of buzz buttons have not been extensively studied in human clinical settings, especially regarding long-term use and interactions with medications.

How to Safely Enjoy Buzz Buttons

To experience the unique properties of buzz buttons safely, follow these guidelines:

Start Small: Begin with just one petal or half of a flower. The intensity of the sensation can vary, and a little goes a long way.
Use as a Garnish: For culinary applications, they are best used sparingly as a garnish in salads, cocktails, and desserts. This provides the sensory experience without overwhelming the palate.
Opt for High-Quality Sources: Purchase fresh or freeze-dried buzz buttons from reputable suppliers. Ensure they are grown organically and without harmful pesticides.
Know Your Health: If you have any pre-existing health conditions or are taking medication, consult a healthcare professional before consuming buzz buttons.

Culinary vs. Medicinal Use: A Comparison


Feature	Culinary Use	Medicinal Use
Primary Goal	To add a unique sensory experience (tingling, numbing) and flavor enhancer to dishes and drinks.	To treat specific ailments like toothaches, sore throats, inflammation, and immune support.
Preparation	Used fresh as a garnish, muddled in cocktails, or finely chopped and sprinkled over food.	Often prepared as a tincture, tea, or extract to concentrate the active compounds.
Quantity	Small amounts are used to add a 'buzz' or electrifying effect.	A specified dosage, typically determined by an herbalist or recommended guideline, is used for targeted relief.
Frequency	Intermittent, for special occasions or experimental dishes.	Can be used as needed for acute issues, though not recommended for long-term daily consumption.
Experience	Focuses on the immediate, multi-sensory tingling and cooling effect.	Focuses on the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties for healing.

Conclusion: So, are buzz buttons healthy?

Buzz buttons possess legitimate health-promoting properties, particularly their natural analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Their active compound, spilanthol, provides temporary pain relief and supports oral health, which is why they have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. However, it's essential to approach their consumption with awareness. Potential risks, especially for those with certain allergies or health conditions, mean that buzz buttons should not be seen as a universal health elixir. When used in moderation and with proper precautions, these electric daisies can be a safe and fun addition to your culinary adventures and a potential ally in natural health remedies. As with any herbal supplement, consulting a healthcare professional is wise before regular use to ensure it is appropriate for your individual health needs.

For further reading on the medicinal properties and safety of spilanthes, consider consulting scholarly publications and academic reviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary health benefit of buzz buttons is their natural analgesic or numbing effect, which is caused by the compound spilanthol. This makes them effective for temporarily relieving pain from toothaches and sore throats.

While generally safe for most people in moderation, buzz buttons should be avoided by pregnant women, individuals with blood-clotting disorders, certain heart conditions, or allergies to the daisy family.

When you eat a buzz button, you will experience a tingling, numbing sensation that can be accompanied by a feeling of salivation and coolness in the mouth. Many describe the effect as a mild, buzzing electric shock.

Yes, extracts from buzz buttons, particularly spilanthol, are used in some cosmetic products. It is believed to have muscle-relaxing properties that can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

In traditional medicine, buzz buttons were used to treat a variety of ailments. The flowers and leaves were chewed to relieve tooth pain, and preparations were made into teas or tinctures to support the immune system and reduce inflammation.

Beyond allergic reactions, consuming large amounts can cause excessive salivation and a very intense numbing sensation. Long-term daily use is also not recommended by some herbalists as it may impact healthy gut bacteria.

Yes, buzz buttons are from the Acmella oleracea plant, which is in the daisy family, and are not botanically related to Sichuan peppercorns. They only share a similar name due to their mouth-numbing properties, but the flavor profile is distinctly different.