Unusual Herb Plants

Toothache plant

• Originally from Brazil, the leaves of the toothache plant (Spilanthes oleracea) has a numbing effect in your mouth when chewed. Having a peppery taste, it can be used in small amounts in salads. When cooked, the leaves add a unique flavor to stews or chillies. The flower heads have a stronger effect when chewed.

Vick's plant

• When crushed, the fuzzy leaves of the Vick's plant (Plectranthus tomentosa) smell like Vick's Vap-O-Rub or camphor. Also known as purple Swedish ivy because of the color of its flowers, this medicinal herb is also used to make poultices and tea to treat ailments and as a mosquito repellent.

Chocolate Mint

• While this herb plant does not smell or taste like pure chocolate, chocolate mint (Mentha piperita cv.) does have a hint of chocolate. The dried leaves are added to black tea or coffee and used in chocolate recipes to increase their flavor. Bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers.