Achiote

This genus consists of one species of evergreen, shrubby tree, found on rich soil along forest margins throughout the American tropics. Bixa orellana, known in Brazil as urucú, has an excellent history of use by the Mayas and Aztecs (Mexico), Incas (Peru), and native Amazonians as a red or orange body dye, which may have insect-repellant properties. It was first imported to Europe in the 16th century, and commercial cultivation began in India in 1787. The dye is reputedly an antidote to prussic acid poisoning, caused by eating manioc (Manihot esculenta) from which the toxin has not been completely removed. Its medicinal properties are poorly understood. Today, it is of great importance in world trade as a tasteless and harmless food coloring. The seeds contain 4-5 percent orange and yellow carotenoids. It is also widely planted in the tropics as an ornamental and for hedges, especially along damp boundary ditches. The bright red, spiny capsules are very decorative; the flowers are a rich source of nectar for bees. There is a variety with yellow pods, and another with pink flowers and purple-brown pods, though these are little known outside the tropics.

Small tree with pointed, broadly ovate leaves to 20cm (8in) long. Panicles of pink or white, 5 petaled flowers appear from late summer, followed by red, spiny capsules, 5cm (2in) long, containing up to 50 red seeds.


Common Name:
Achiote
Other Names:
Annatto, roucou, lipstick tree
Botanical Name:
Bixa orellana
Genus:
Bixa
Family:
Bixaceae
Cultivation:
Well-drained, moist soil and high humidity. Prune hard if grown as a hedge. Trim specimen plants as required.
Propagation:
By seed sown as soon as ripe in sand, at 19-24°C (66-75°F); by semi-ripe cuttings at 30°C (86°F). Seed-raised plants are slow to reach flowering size. Plants from cuttings flower when small.
Harvest:
Leaves are picked as required and dried for use in infusions. Seeds are collected as the fruits split open and are soaked in hot oil or lard, crushed in water, fermented, and made into cakes or ground up, depending on region and intended use.
Native Region:
Tropical America, West Indies
Height:
7m (22ft)
Width:
3-4m (10-12ft)
Hardiness:
Min. 16°C (61°F)
Parts Used:
Leaves, fruits, seeds
Properties:
A bitter, astringent, purgative herb that reputively destroys intestinal worms, lowers fevers, improved digestion, and has expectorant effects.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for mouth cancer (seed pulp, in Mexico), worms in children, dysentery, colic, and fevers (leaves in the West Indies); fevers especially in children and after childbirth (infusions of leaves, in Indo-China). Externally on burns to prevent blistering and scarring (ground seeds, in the Phillipines).
Culinary Uses:
Seeds are used to color and flavor rice, soups, chocolate, and dishes based on eggs, meat, fish, or vegetables.
Economic Uses:
Fruit pulp yields colorant, used in foods (especially margarine, cheese, soups, and smoked fish), in the cosmetic industry, and also to dye maggots for fish bait.
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pg 144.