Accession Data:
Bixa orellana L.
- Common Name: Annatto
- Family: Bixaceae Link
- 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, laxative.">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
- IMPORTANT NOTE: Plant Uses are for informational purposes only. EEB Greenhouses assume no responsibility for adverse effects from the use of any plants referred to on this site. Always seek advice from a professional before using any plant medicinally.
- USDA Zone: 11
Accession Data:
- Accession # 199300441
- Source: Chiltern Seed Co.
- Accession Date: 04-15-1993
- Bench: 1304 - NEOA: North Bench W
- Currently: active - healthy
- Qty: 1 confirmed on 10-08-2024
Classification:
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- SubClass: eurosid II
- Order: Malvales
- SubOrder:
- Family: Bixaceae
- SubFamily:
- Tribe:
- SubTribe:
Flowering Data:
This accession has been observed in bloom on:| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
References (internal):
- Medicinal Plants
- Dye Plants
- Spice Plants
- Plants with Extrafloral Nectaries
- EEB 3271 - Systematic Botany
- ECE 2019 - Scavenger Hunt
- EEB Greenhouse Holdings native to: Mexico Gulf / Mexico Northwest / Mexico Southwest / Mexico Southeast / Belize / Costa Rica / El Salvador / Guatemala / Honduras / Nicaragua / Panama / French Guiana / Guyana / Suriname / Venezuela / Bolivia / Colombia / Ecuador / Peru / Brazil West-Central / Brazil Northeast / Brazil Southeast / Brazil North / Argentina Northeast / Argentina Northwest / Paraguay
References (external):
- The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Accessed 17 February 2015.
- WCSP (2015). World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Accessed 17 February 2015
data regenerated on Tue, 08 Oct 2024 12:01:54 -0400 [bcm v4.0]
Images:
Additional images for this accession:
Click on thumbnails to enlarge
Current Accessions in the Bixaceae
W/C = Wild Collected
= indicates flowering in past 14 days
= images available for this accession
= map available for this accession
= accession added within past 90 days