Family: Bixaceae Genus: Bixa Species: orellana

Common Names: Annatto, achiote, achiotec, achioti, achote, urucu, beni-no-ki, bija, onoto, orleanstrauch, roucou, roucouyer, uruku

Parts Used: Seeds, leaves, roots, shoots

Medicinal Properties: Antibacterial, anti-dysenteric, anti-gonorrheal, anti- inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-tussive, astringent, cicatrizant, depurative, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, febrifuge, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, nutritive, parasitic, purgative, stomachic

Culinary Herb Provides Hope for Prostate Cancer

The Achiote shrub (Bixa orellana) is more commonly known as Annatto, famous for producing a red seed used as food coloring. Achiote grows in a wide variety of tropical and southern hemisphere countries, ranging from Mexico to Portugal. The name "Achiote" originates from Spain. Several first nations peoples of South America, such as the Piura and Cojedes tribes, used the leaves of Achiote for medicinal purposes, often for a wide range of conditions, such as skin problems, liver disease, stomach disorders, and general infections. The infusion of the leaf is considered to possess astringent antiseptic properties which make it valuable in the managements of dysentery and diarrhea, plus it is antipyretic, which has been applied traditionally to suppress fevers. The effect on the liver is gentle enough to be considered a general digestive aid, yet strong enough to assist in the treatment of hepatitis. It's antiseptic properties are often used as a wash, whether for a broad array of skin disorders or as a douche in mild vaginal tract infections.

Perhaps the most interesting reports of Achiote's use concern the prostate and cancer. In South America these stories come from the shamanic healers of the region known as "Curanderos," who use approximately a teaspoon of the crushed leaves per litre of water, boiling the leaf as a decoction for ten minutes. After straining, the tea is consumed specifically after the meals at a dose of three cups daily, served warm or cold. This is thought to be a good remedy for a long list of complaints regarding the urinary and reproductive areas, from cystitis to prostatic disorders in general, to relatively serious conditions such as renal insufficiency and of course cancer itself. Tonic properties are thought to make these leaves usefull as an aphrodisiac and an aid for managing obesity.

Other claims include an ability to remove uric acid from the blood, which would be of great help in many arthritic conditions. Additionally, it appears to have some circulatory cleansing properties, perhaps through its beneficial effects on the liver, because it is used to treat high cholesterol, and presumably in relation to this, it is recommended for arterial hypertension. Test tube experiments on the alcohol extract of the leaf showed significant activity against some strains of E. coli and Staphylococcus, and a water based preparation relaxed the muscles and blood vessels of dogs. Most of the information known about this plant concerns its popular seeds, which contain a large number of interesting natural compounds known to be healthy and safe, however some people may notice a pronounced diuretic effect, in which case the dose should be accordingly decreased.

Family: Bixaceae Genus: Bixa Species: orellana

Common Names: Annatto, achiote, achiotec, achioti, achote, urucu, beni-no-ki, bija, onoto, orleanstrauch, roucou, roucouyer, uruku

Parts Used: Seeds, leaves, roots, shoots

Medicinal Properties: Antibacterial, anti-dysenteric, anti-gonorrheal, anti- inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-tussive, astringent, cicatrizant, depurative, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, febrifuge, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, nutritive, parasitic, purgative, stomachic

Culinary Herb Provides Hope for Prostate Cancer

The Achiote shrub (Bixa orellana) is more commonly known as Annatto, famous for producing a red seed used as food coloring. Achiote grows in a wide variety of tropical and southern hemisphere countries, ranging from Mexico to Portugal. The name "Achiote" originates from Spain. Several first nations peoples of South America, such as the Piura and Cojedes tribes, used the leaves of Achiote for medicinal purposes, often for a wide range of conditions, such as skin problems, liver disease, stomach disorders, and general infections. The infusion of the leaf is considered to possess astringent antiseptic properties which make it valuable in the managements of dysentery and diarrhea, plus it is antipyretic, which has been applied traditionally to suppress fevers. The effect on the liver is gentle enough to be considered a general digestive aid, yet strong enough to assist in the treatment of hepatitis. It's antiseptic properties are often used as a wash, whether for a broad array of skin disorders or as a douche in mild vaginal tract infections.

Perhaps the most interesting reports of Achiote's use concern the prostate and cancer. In South America these stories come from the shamanic healers of the region known as "Curanderos," who use approximately a teaspoon of the crushed leaves per litre of water, boiling the leaf as a decoction for ten minutes. After straining, the tea is consumed specifically after the meals at a dose of three cups daily, served warm or cold. This is thought to be a good remedy for a long list of complaints regarding the urinary and reproductive areas, from cystitis to prostatic disorders in general, to relatively serious conditions such as renal insufficiency and of course cancer itself. Tonic properties are thought to make these leaves usefull as an aphrodisiac and an aid for managing obesity.

Other claims include an ability to remove uric acid from the blood, which would be of great help in many arthritic conditions. Additionally, it appears to have some circulatory cleansing properties, perhaps through its beneficial effects on the liver, because it is used to treat high cholesterol, and presumably in relation to this, it is recommended for arterial hypertension. Test tube experiments on the alcohol extract of the leaf showed significant activity against some strains of E. coli and Staphylococcus, and a water based preparation relaxed the muscles and blood vessels of dogs. Most of the information known about this plant concerns its popular seeds, which contain a large number of interesting natural compounds known to be healthy and safe, however some people may notice a pronounced diuretic effect, in which case the dose should be accordingly decreased.

Melanie – Yes, I know, it’s also on the cover of the Naparima Girls cookbook shown above

Melanie – Yes, I know, it’s also on the cover of the Naparima Girls cookbook shown above

Anayli – Great to have discovered your blog I may have to see if I can track down some sides in order to try your recipe out

Anayli – Great to have discovered your blog I may have to see if I can track down some sides in order to try your recipe out