Spices & Medicinal herbs

HERBS	Angelica :: Aloe Vera :: Basil :: Chamomile :: Chives :: Coriander :: Dill :: Lemon Balm :: Musli :: Oregano :: Stevia
SPICES	Ajwain :: Allspice :: Bay Leaf :: Black Cardamon :: Green Cardamon :: Cinnamon :: Cloves :: Cumin :: Cayenne Pepper
VEGETABLES	Amaranth :: Breadfruit :: Brocolli :: Cauliflower :: Cucumber :: Drumstick :: Hijiki :: Garlic

Herbs Classifical of Herbs Herbs by Common Name Herbs by Property List of Herbs Alfalfa Allspice Aloe Vera Abuta Aconite Angelica Anise Annatto Arugula Agrimony African rue Apple mint Asafoetida Ashwagandha Avens Apple of Sodom Barberry Basil Bakula Bhilwa Bistort Bitter melon Bog Labrador Tea Borage Boldo Bala Bayberry Bearberry Bhringraj Beautyberry Black walnut Blessed thistle Black cohosh Burdock root Candle nut Capsicum Coriander Caraway Calamus Chamomile Chickweed Chives Cleavers Dill Echinacea Flax Fennel Lavender Kali Musli Lemon Balm Musli Oregano Stevia Spices Vegetables

Bixa orellena

(Common name:- Annatto)

Classification

• Kingdom : Plantae
• Family : Bixaceae
• Genus : Bixa
• Species : Orellena

Annatto Annatto is an herb used to produce a red color substance which is used in food to add flavor.

History

Annatto, sometimes called ROUCOU, is a derivative of achiote trees of tropical regions of the America. It is produced from the reddish pulp which surrounds the seeds of achiote. It is used in many cheese, rice, butter, margarine, smoked fish and mustard oil.

From ancient times it is used by Caribbean and South American cultures.

It is believed to be originated in Brazil and commonly found in Caribbean and Latin American cuisines as coloring agent and to add flavor. Central and South American used its seed to make body paint and lipstick.

Plant Description

Anise has feathery leaves and flat white flower heads, followed by fruits and then small aromatic brown seeds. It is perennial plant and related to caraway, dill, cumin and fennel.

Aniseed can be grown in a sunny sheltered area, and it may reach to near about 45 cm high. This plant puts forth tiny flowers in summer and its seeds can be gathered in the autumn.

Seeds of anise herb are grey-brown color, oval and slightly ridged and measure from 2 to 4mm in length.

Cultivation

Annatto grows in widely tropical and subtropical parts of the world. Rainfall required for it ranges from 1000mm to 3000mm per year in areas where they grow naturally or under cultivation. The suitable cultivation months are july and august. 2oo plants require an acre land.

Parts Used

Annatto's seeds, roots, shoot and leaves are used

Constituents

It contains bixin, an oil-soluble apocarotenoid, which is the main pigment with norbixin.

It also contains some hydrocarbons which gives a sweet smell. Its seeds contain 4.5 to 5.5% of pigments and 70-80% bixin.

Culinary uses

• Annatto has been used as a coloring agent in food from a way long back in many parts of the world.
• As a food additive annatto has E number E60 b and hence is a natural substance used as coloring agent in food and other substance.
• The thin coating on the seeds is removed to produce a substance called bixin, which is added to butter, cheese as well as salad toppings, fish and confections to give a golden brown color.

Medicinal uses

• Apart from its culinary uses, annatto has medicinal uses as well.
• As it is thought to reduce acid, kills bacteria, fights with radicals, kills parasites, germs.
• It also stimulates digestion, lowers blood pressure and protects liver.
• Apart from these diseases, annatto is used to cure general infections, stomach problems, and skin problems.
• Other beneficial effects of this herb are to treat high cholesterol level, and it is also recommended in arterial hypertension. It has been recommended as an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, antiseptic and anti-dysenteric.

Other uses

• Annatto is commonly used as a coloring agent for pharmaceutical ointments and plasters. Sometimes it is also used as substitute of saffron.
• It can also used in diabetes and snakebite.

Names

• Dutuch- annatto, rucou
• English- lipstick tree
• French- roucou
• German- annatto
• Hebrew- anato
• Japan- beninoki
• Spanish- bijol
• Russia- biksa