Bixa orellana

Botanical name : Bixa orellana Linn.
Family : Bixaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Sinduri, Markataharidra, Kampillaka

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Kashaya, Tikta
Guna : Lakhu, Rooksha
Virya : Seeta

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Annatto plant, Arnotta plant
Hindi : Sinduriya, Latkan
Malayalam : Kuppamanjal, Kurangumanjal

Distribution – Throughout India growing wild in planes, also cultivated.

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A large shrub or small tree grows up to 5 meters in height. Leaves large, cordate, acuminate, glabrous; flowers pale pink, in terminal panicles; fruits bright red, capsules covered with soft bristles, seeds small, numerous covered with red pigment.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, fever, dysentery, and repels mosquitoes. Dye obtained from the fruits is used as a coloring matter for edible materials.
Useful part : Root, Bark, Seeds.