A plant record

Annatto (woukou)

Bixa orellana

EnglishAnnatto

Kreyòlwoukou

FrançaisRoucou

BotanicalBixa orellana

Annatto (woukou) — Bixa orellana, used in Haitian and Caribbean herbal tradition

Traditionally used

Skin conditions, fever, inflammation, antimicrobial, food coloring, digestive

Prepared as

Seed tea: boil 1 tsp seeds in 2 cups water 10 minutes, drink for fever and inflammation. Seed paste: grind seeds with water, apply to skin rashes and infections. Leaf poultice applied to headaches and inflamed joints. Seed oil rubbed into sore muscles. Annatto used as natural food coloring — seeds steeped in oil 30 minutes for vibrant red-orange color.

In three languages

Kreyòl — Maladi po a, lafyèv, enflamasyon, kont mikwòb yo, kolorè manje, ak pwoblèm vant

Français — Affections cutanées, fièvre, inflammation, antimicrobien, colorant alimentaire, troubles digestifs

Kept alongside

LicoricePineapplePeacock flowerCalotropePapayaRingworm senna

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