Bixa orellana

Common Name: Annatto

Family: Bixaceae

Country of Origin: Tropical America

Description: A small tree with a round head, generally grown as an ornamental because of its lovely flowers of various colors. The seeds of the flower have a reddish powder which is used as a vegetable tint for soaps, rice, margarine, cheese and many other products. It is believed to come from Brazil but was carried throughout Central and South America by the Indians, who used the coloring as body paint, and by women, who used it as lipstick. The dye contains Vitamin C.

[Vietnamese: seeds = hot dieu, hot dieu mau]

Uses: Leaf Medicinal Uses:

Main Preparation Method: leaf infusion

Main Actions (in order): antimicrobial, diuretic, digestive stimulant, hepatoprotective (liver protector), hypocholesterolemic (lowers cholesterol)

Main Uses: as a topical antiseptic for ear, eye, and skin infections for digestive problems (heartburn, constipation, stomachache) for prostate and urinary infections for hypertension for high cholesterol levels

Properties/Actions Documented by Research: aldose reductase inhibitor (linked to diabetic complications), antibacterial, antihemorrhagic (reduces bleeding), antivenin

Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use: antacid, hypocholesterolemic (lowers cholesterol), anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, aperient (mild laxative), aphrodisiac, astringent, digestive stimulant, diuretic, febrifuge (reduces fever), hypotensive (lowers blood pressure), wound healer

Cautions: It may potentiate medications used to treat hypertension.

Seed Medicinal Summary:

Main Preparation Method: seed maceration or capsules

Main Actions (in order): antioxidant, hepatoprotective (liver protector), insect repellant, diuretic, hypocholesterolemic (lowers cholesterol)

Main Uses: to tone, balance, and strengthen liver function and for hepatitis and liver inflammation/pain for high cholesterol for skin care and skin anti-aging (for its antioxidant and ultraviolet ray [UV]-protective effect) as a strong diuretic for high blood pressure

Properties/Actions Documented by Research: antioxidant, hepatoprotective (liver protector), hyperglycemic; also used as a food-coloring agent

Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use: expectorant, hypocholesterolemic (lowers cholesterol), hypotensive (lowers blood pressure), insect repellant, wound healer

Cautions: It might raise blood sugar levels and may potentiate medications used to treat hypertension.

Medicinal Data from The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs, Leslie Taylor, 2005 http://rainforest-database.com/plants/annato.htm

USDA Zone: 11

Accession #: 199300441

Accession Date: 1993-04-15 00:00:00

Bloom Status: 🪴 Not Flowering

Location: 1304

Quantity: 1

Source: Chiltern Seed Co.

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Subclass: eurosid II

Order: Malvales

Family: Bixaceae