The annatto tree is a member of the Bixaceae family and is classified in the Bixa genus. Despite the many species, the most popular on the planet is Bixa orellana L., named after a European traveler who first traveled to the Amazon: "Orellana". It is an important commercial plant where annatto dye was obtained from the granules surrounding the seeds. The pericarp2 of the seeds contains dyes of wide industrial applications and commercial interest. It contains the "inner seed" which contains oil, waxy substances, mineral ashes and alkaline compounds, while from the outside, it is covered by a peel composed of cellulose and tannins, and the outer shell contains pigments, moisture and a small amount of oil surrounding the seeds.
Family Of Annato Bixaceae
Scientific Name Of Annato Bixa orellana Shrub.
Common Name Of Annato Annato, Lipstick tree
Sanskrit Name Of Annato Sindhuri
Hindi Name Of Annato Sindguriya, Latkan
Marathi Name Of Annato Sendri
Part used Seeds and leaf
Method of propagation : Seeds
Medicinal Properties and Uses
- Annatto-bearing plant is a plant that produces natural dye from seeds as a natural colorant.
- Their consumption helps in treating diabetes, intestinal disease or diarrhea and fresh fever.
- They are considered as antioxidants and bowel cleansers when mixed with other herbs.
- Its uses include applying annatto on the affected area, as a salve remedy for burns and vaginal infections and as an insect repellent.
- Dyes and chemicals as ink dye, coating medicines, drugs, dyeing, food coloring, hair oil, polish, poultry feed
- Annatto dye is non-toxic; It has prominent ability to colour food items like butter, ghee, other milk products, margarine, cheese, vanaspati, chocolate, cosmetics etc.
- The dye is also used in floor polish, shoe polish, hair oil etc.
- The tree can be grown as ornamental, avenue tree along the roads.
