Flora: Bixa Orellana!

The Bixa Orellana also known as 'Kusuwe' in Suriname, is a widespread small tree in the America's and the Caribbean. One with many benefits.

The Bixa Orellana is known by many different names:

• Achiote
• Annato
• Kusuwe
• Orleaanboom
• Lipstick Tree (indigenous people use the seeds for body painting or as lipstick)

The flower is a single wild rose, as seen in the picture above. Bees and hummingbirds are usually attracted by the nectar.

The small tree produces spiny red fruits with hard deep red seeds. These seeds are used as a natural colorant for many industrial food/spices: butter, cheese, sausage, cake or pop corn. They are used in paints or for coloring fabrics. They are also used in cosmetics. 

Other benefits that the Bixa Orellana produces are:

• used as sunscreen
• against skin disease on dogs
• against malaria and leishmaniasis (leaves extract)
• treatment against gingivitis, bronchitis, infected wounds and anti - parasitic
• rope mats (made from the stem fibre)

Furthermore the seeds are also used in cultural or ritual festivities. 


Keep in mind that the seeds leave a reddish/orange color behind whenever touched. It can leaves stains behind on your clothes or on any surface.


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