Scientific Name: Bixa orellana Linn.

Description: A tree reaching 4 to 6 meters. Leaves are entire, ovate, 8 to 20 cm long, 5 to 12 cm wide, with a broad and heart-shaped base, and a pointed tip. The flowers are white or pinkish, 4 to 6 cm diameter, 4 to 6 cm in diameter on terminal panicles. Capsules are ovoid or rounded, reddish brown, about 4 cm long and covered with long, slender and soft spines containing many small seeds covered with a dye-yielding red pulp.

Traditional Uses:
• For small burns: Wash the leaves with soap and water. Boil 10 leaves in 5 glasses of water; cool. Soak the burn area for 10 minues, once a day.
• The pulp of the seeds, immediately applied to burns, prevents blistering and scarring.
• The seeds, ground and boiled, also used for burns.
• Fresh seeds when moistened produce a reddish colored juice that is applied to red rashes.
• The seeds are used as antidote for cassava and J. urcas poisoning.
• The achuete dye used with lime for the treatment of erysipelas.
• Also used for wound healing, regulation of heavy menses, and thinning hair.
• The leaf, bruised with the head of a "walis-tingting" (broom made from frond ribs of the coconut leaves), mixed with warm coconut oil is applied on the forehead for headaches.
• An infusion of the leaves used as purgative.
• Poultice of leaves are diuretic and used for treatment of gonorrhea.

Excerpts from: "An illustrated compilation of Philippine medicinal plants by Godofredo Stuart"