Annatto Its Special Properties

Annatto/Achiote

Forms of presentation for use:
Oil, extract, ground, paste, powder, seeds

Part used
The parts used are the leaves and seeds.

 
Overview
The Annatto/Achiote is a low tree whose fruit is a dehiscent capsule of red or

green color which open on 2 leaflets containing about 30-40 seeds.
It has alternate leaves, petiolate, elliptic, coliform at the base and hairless on both sides. They have large violet flowers.

Features
Alkaloids, Bixeina, Phenylalanine, salicylic acid, tryptophan,
Ellagic acid, Threonine, tannins, saponins and carotenoids.
Appearance: fine powder Product
Color: Characteristic.
Odor: Characteristic.
Taste: Characteristic.
Heavy metals:
Lead (as Pb): Not more than 10 ppm.
Arsenic (as As): Not more than 3 ppm.
Mercury Not more than 1 ppm.
Cadmium: No more than 1 ppm.


Annato benefits and uses
The leaves are applied as a poultice to relieve headache and the decoction as a gargle for sore throats. Traditionally pulp is applied on burns, to prevent blisters and sores. Seed is also used as an antidote for poisoning of Manihot esculenta.

There are references that are used to prevent  scars that  leaves smallpox on the skin, with splendid results (1908-1910 in Guatemala ).
The healers of the Amazon and the indigenous communities use it in cultural practices, the painting obtained from seeds is applied to the fontanelle of infants,mixed with resin " rubber - masha " ( Sapium marmieri ) to protect against shocks and the spirits of the forest and rivers.

Some healers of the Peruvian Amazon placed the fresh Annatto squeezed juice leaves in the eyes for inflammation and infection, for epilepsy, the juice is used in combination with twelve fruits and taken twice daily for five days.

Annatto/Achiote is used by healers as an antidote for snake bites and it is believed that the seeds are an expectorant, while the roots are thought to aid in digestion and suppress cough. 
Also, the Achiote has traditionally been used for prostate disorders and internal inflammation, arterial hypertension, high cholesterol, cisititis,obesity, kidney disease and to eliminate uric acid.

The Cojedes ( Venezuela ) use the flowers infusion to stimulate the intestines, as well as to avoid the phlegm in newborn babies.

Medicinal uses and other properties

* Antibacterial

* Antirust

* Expectorant

* Properties and actions:

* Astringent

* Stomachic

* Antidysenteric

* Antiseptic

* Emollient

* Healing

* Febrifuge


Blade:anti gonorrheal and diuretic properties, erythema,erysipelas, stomach, vomiting of blood, hemorrhoids, headaches and throat, purgative -inflammatory, hypoglycemic.

The use of the seed and the fruit are considered an effective antidote by Jatropha curcas( abdominal pain, diarrhea , vomiting, sore throat, gastroenteritis) and Manihot esculenta.

The oil from the seeds can be used successfully against leprosy. Pulp : burns and blisters. Root: digestive and antitussive. Tea made it with small stems and leaves is used as antidysenteric, aphrodisiac, astringent to treat skin infections, fevers and hepatitis.