Throughout the Amazon rainforest, indigenous tribes have traditionally used achiote seeds (also called Annato) as a body paint and fabric dye1. The rainforest tribes have used the whole plant as medicine for centuries. Today, achiote leaves are used to treat liver and urinary conditions, heartburn, digestive problems, prostate problems, internal inflammation, arterial hypertension, high cholesterol, cystitis, obesity, renal insufficiency, and to eliminate uric acid. The leaves are anti-bacterial and used in treating skin infections, burns, scars, venereal disease and other types of infections2 3. It is also used as an antipyretic and astringent.
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Achiote (Leaf) Options
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$14.99
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Suggested Use: Liquids: One teaspoon loose leaf per 16 oz of boiling water for two servings. Take one to four cups daily.
Cautions: Use under care/advice of a medical practitioner. Not intended for long term therapy.
Contraindications: Should not be used by people with diabetes or with allergies to bixin.
Ingredients: Extracted in distilled water and 40% organic grain alcohol.
More About Achiote:
1. “The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs”
Taylor, N.D., Leslie
Ref. Pg 176, Published 2005
2. Antimicrobial activity of crude extracts from plant parts and corresponding calli of Bixa orellana L.
Castello MC, Phatak A, Chandra N, Sharon M.
Birla College of Arts, Science & Commerce, Kalyan 421 304, India.
Ethanol extracts from the different parts of B. orellana showed differential antimicrobial activity. It was found that the extracts of in vitro leaves showed maximum activity against Bacillus pumilus followed by the extracts from the roots and hypocotyls. The callus derived from different explants too showed antimicrobial activity. The leaf callus showed maximum activity. The zone of inhibition for the diluted extracts of in vitro hypocotyls and roots and their corresponding calli showed minimum zone of inhibition at concentration 24 mg/ml, whereas the diluted extract of in vitro leaves and leaf derived callus showed minimum zone of inhibition at 16 mg/ml.
PMID: 12974400 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
3. [Chemical composition, amino acid content and nutritive value of the protein of the annatto seed (Bixa orellana, L.)]
Bressani R; Porta-Españña de Barneóón F; Braham JE; Elíías LG; Góómez-Brenes R
Arch Latinoam Nutr, 33: 2, 1983 Jun, 356-76
On several occasions, many Latin American countries have shown interest in the economic potential of industrializing the exploitation of the pigment in Annatto seed (Bixa orellana, L) used as a natural coloring agent in the food industry. Production of the pigment leaves the seed as a by-product, which once characterized chemically and nutritionally, could contribute to a more profitable exploitation of Annatto seed. The main objective of the present study was to obtain information in regard to this matter. The results of chemical analyses of the seed showed a relatively high amount of protein, which fluctuated between 13 and 17%. Crude fiber levels were also high, about 16%; however, more than 50% of this fiber can be eliminated through sifting of the seed flour. This operation also increases protein content. Annatto seeds have a high phosphorus and a low calcium content. Its protein contains adequate levels of tryptophan and lysine, but is low in methionine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine and threonine. The protein quality of Annatto seed flour was about 65% that of casein, which was used as reference protein. Partly responsible for this low biological value are the amino acid deficiencies, mainly that of methionine, and the low digestibility of the protein. The latter was 57% as compared to 94% for casein, a finding which can be attributed to the crude fiber content of Annatto seed flour, since partial elimination of the fiber resulted in an increase in digestibility up to a value of 65%. In order to utilize more effectively this potential feedstuff in combination with other feeds, further studies should confirm the amino acid deficiencies and digestibility of the Annatto seed protein.
4. Antigonorrhoeal activity of plants used in Guatemala for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
Cááceres A; Menééndez H; Mééndez E; Cohobóón E; Samayoa BE; Jauregui E; Peralta E; Carrillo G
J Ethnopharmacol, 48: 2, 1995 Oct, 85-8
Plants popularly used in Guatemala for the treatment of gonorrhoea were macerated in 50% alcohol and the tincture tested for in vitro activity against Neisseria gonorrhoeae using strains isolated from symptomatic patients and confirmed by standard bacteriological procedures. From 46 plants investigated, 13 (28.3%) showed evident inhibition zones (> 9 mm), seven (15.2%) showed small activity (6.1-8.9 mm) and 26 (56.5%) showed no activity; nine of these plants inhibited five strains of N. gonorrhoea freshly isolated. The most active plants of American origin were: bark of Bixa orellana fruits of Parmentiera edulis, leaf of Diphysa robinioides, Eupatorium odoratum, Gliricidia sepium, Physalis angulata, Piper aduncum and Prosopis juliflora, root of Casimiroa edulis, and whole Clematis dioica.
5 . Antimicrobial activity of the leaves and seeds of Bixa orellana.
Fleischer TC, Ameade EP, Mensah ML, Sawer IK.
Fitoterapia. 2003 Feb;74(1-2):136-8.
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, K.N.U.S.T., Kumasi, Ghana. tc_fleischer@yahoo.com
The ethanolic extracts of the leaves and seeds of Bixa orellana showed a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. The activity of the leaf extract was more pronounced.
PMID: 12628409 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Disclaimer: Statements on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information on this publication should not be used as medical advice. Data prvided for research and professional use only.
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The following list includes medical conditions treated by Achiote.
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