We grow this tender annual each year at the same timing as tomatoes and basil in our garden.  In July and August, it produces striking yellow and red flower heads without any ray flowers, giving the appearance of brightly colored buttons.  The first frost kills the plants.

Toothache plant is also known as Szechuan buttons because of the tingling sensation they produce in the mouth when you eat a flower bud or take a dropperful of the tincture.  Another well-known name is Spilanthes.  A tea, tincture, or just eating the flowers makes your mouth tingle as it activates your salival glands and stimulates your white blood cells to fight infections in the gums, tongue, and mouth.  Our family enjoys a mouth wash with a dropperful of tincture in a little water.