SpiceAnnatto
Evidence for traditional uses is largely preclinical or animal-based; some human data suggests metabolic benefits, but more robust clinical trials are needed to confirm efficacy and safety.
Benefits
- Antioxidant
- anti-inflammatory
- antimicrobial
- potential metabolic benefits
- traditionally used as laxative
- cardiotonic
- hypotensive
- expectorant.
Key compounds
Bixinnorbixindelta-tocotrienolgamma-tocotrienolbeta-carotenecryptoxanthinluteinzeaxanthingeranylgeraniolflavonoidsellagic acidsalicylic acid
May help with
- Traditionally used as a condiment
- food coloring
- insect repellent
- and for body paint
- folk medicine uses include antipyretic
- aphrodisiac
- antidiarrheal
- antidiabetic
- and anti-inflammatory for various ailments.
Best for these goals
Antioxidantanti-inflammatoryantimicrobialpotential metabolic benefitstraditionally used as laxativecardiotonichypotensiveexpectorant.
How to use it
Food coloring, condiment, oil, infusions, decoctions
Evidence level
Limited
Cautions & interactions
Generally recognized as safe for food use; high doses or non-oral exposure routes require careful toxicological evaluation; mild muscle necrosis observed in rodents at high intramuscular doses. | Interactions: No major interactions documented; use standard caution.
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