Gynecological problems, inflammation of genital system
Infection of urinary tracts
Gout, high content of uric acid in blood
Liver
Laryngitis, and respiratory tracts, cough, tonsillitis
Digestion problems
Hemorrhoids
Piles
This Amazon bush or small, highly branchy tree grows mainly in Peru, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia. It is also known as Annatto, Achiotec, Achiotl, Achote, or Urucu. It is covered with dense, shiny, light green leaves of ovoid shape. The flowers are usually pink or, pink and white. The plant richly fruits, and its fruits are distinctive heart-shaped, vividly red bags covered with dense spikes which contain red/orange seeds. One fruit contain up to 50 seeds, and one bush can produce as much as 270 kg. The seeds have red cover, a source of natural stain. Its color varies from yellow, orange, red, to brown – depending on the kind of solvent used for extraction.
The stain of Achiote is used by Amazonian tribes for painting faces and bodies. Apart from being a kind of decoration it protects them from insects and helps wounds to heal. It is also used as stain for fabrics, pieces of art, craft and paintings.
Among other things, the seeds contain Bixin, Annatto, and Norbixi – which are widely known food coloring with the code E160b. It gives the products bright yellow or orange color. It is used for giving color to cheeses like Cheddar, Edam, Gouda, and margarine, butter, smoked fish, popcorn, some ice –cream, desserts and so on. Bixin is also used in the beauty products industry to produce creams, suntan creams, lipstick, soap and other skin care products. Annatto oil, obtained from the seeds softens the skin, and the high content of carotenoids provides beneficial antioxidant properties. It is also used for insect repellents, for staining wood, fabrics, wool, leather and varnish.
MORE INFORMATION
All parts of the plant have curative properties.
The freshly squeezed juice from the leaves is used as eye drops for inflammation or infection.
The fresh fruit pulp, thanks to its compressing properties, is used for healing wounds, burns, blisters, ulceration, as well as piles.
The seed shell is used for de-worming.
Leaves and bark in the form of compress soothe headache.
Thanks to the compounds present in the leaves, they are used as antipyretic, and antiemetic medicament. They regulate digestion and have anti-diarrheal properties. Also, they are used for cleansing skin infections, and bacterial infections of the oral cavity.
One of the most common uses is the treatment of prostate – hypertrophy or inflammation of prostate gland, urinary tracts, genital system, colpitis, and improvement of the functioning of kidneys during nephrism, or nephrosis.
In case of gout, it helps with the elimination of uric acid from the blood. Moreover, it is used for liver disorders and hepatitis, problems with digestion, reflux, stomach ache, constipation ( it has some purgative properties), piles, and obesity.
It is also useful in treating gonorrhea and other STDs, parasites, inflammation caused by fungi or bacteria, inflammation and infection of skin. Moreover, it helps with throat issues, respiratory system problems, tonsillitis, stomatitis, cough, angina, and fever.
It has sedative properties, it stimulates digestion, regulates metabolic changes, lowers the level of cholesterol and is an antioxidant. It is used in diets which are aimed at losing weight.
In the in vitro research it is noticed to eliminate bacteria Escherichia coli a Staphylococcus aureus (staph). It lowers the pressure.
USE AND MOST COMMON DOSAGE
Pour 700 ml of cold water to 3 – 5 g of herbs and cook for 5 – 10 minutes until it boils, on low heat. Drain. Drink three times a day.
WARNING It can cause the level of sugar to rise. Not recommended for diabetics.
It can strengthen the effects of medicine used for treating arterial hypertension.
FUN FACT In Brazil, Achiote is successfully used in treating leprosy. Fresh leaves mixed with magnesium sulphate are placed on the affected places. The effects are usually visible after twenty days of treatment. The wood of Achiote is used by Amazonian tribes to make arrows, also in arts and crafts and carpentry.
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