Bixa orellana L.
Annatto / Kesumba/Kesum (Bru.)
Description
Traditional Medicinal Uses
Ecology
Propagation
Distribution
Precaution
Terrestrial shrub or small tree that can reach up to 8 m tall. Leaves are simple, alternately and spirally arranged, heart-shaped and containing resin-like gland dots. Leaf blade is cordate-ovate or triangular- ovate, acuminate at apex, rounded or slightly cordate at base with entire or wavy margin and tri-veined. Stems are densely rusty-scaly when young turning reddish-brown when mature with scar rings at the nodes. Inflorescence a terminal panicle. Flowers are fragrant and pinkish- white to purple. Fruit a subglobose capsule that is covered with spines. Seeds are numerous, reddish-brown and surrounded by reddish-brown
Locally, the whole herb is soaked in warm water and the resultant infusion is used as herbal bath to relieve general sickness or uneasiness of the body. Analgesic, anti- inflammatory, antiplasmodial, antimicrobial, diuretic, laxative and anthelmintic activities
It thrives in lowland areas and along roadsides. It prefers moist but well- drained clay soil under shade.
Seeds and stem cutting.
Native to tropical America
None