Achiote
(Bixa orellana); Annato Family

It is a powerful anti-inflamatory herbal. Considered beneficial and healing for the digestive system, liver disease, kidney diseases, urinary problems, prostate cancer.

It is actually used to decorate their bodies. There are experimental plots for the extraction of bixin. In North part of Peru, the shoot decoction is considered anti-dysenteric, anti-septic, anti-venereal, aphrodisiac, astringent, febrifugal. Leaves are used to treat skin problems, poultice leaves to eliminate scars, hepatitis, aphrodisiac, anti-dysenteric, anti-pyretic.

The achiote flowers are used in infusion as purge and to avoid phlegm in newborn babies. stomachs massages of women in labor with the leaves. ”Kayapo” use it as a body tint. It is said to be an antidote for HCN poison. Seeds believed to be expectorant, the roots, digestive, anti-tussive. Around Explorama fresh leaf stalks, devoid of blades, are inserted into a glass of water; the mucilage that forms is applied in conjunctivitis.

The decoction made of leaves, bark, seeds or the plant is used by the indigenous tribes of Amazon to speed up healing of wounds or burns. Orally applied preparations are considered to stimulate digestion. Fresh seeds can be eaten due to their nutritional value.