Traditional Use: Used for centuries by indigenous Amazonian and Caribbean peoples as a body paint, sunscreen, and medicine for digestive complaints, fevers, skin conditions, burns, and as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory remedy for infections and wound healing.
Potential Benefits: Bixin and norbixin — unique apocarotenoids exclusive to Annatto — deliver potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective effects; emerging research supports blood sugar modulation, cardiovascular protection, and UV skin protection with regular use.
Warnings: Generally very safe at food doses; may cause rare allergic reactions including anaphylaxis in sensitive individuals — one of the more common natural food colourant allergens; may mildly potentiate antidiabetic and antihypertensive medications at therapeutic doses; avoid high doses in pregnancy.
