Overview
Annatto is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for skin disorders. Sinduri (Bixa orellana) is a small tree grown for its seeds which yield the natural dye Annatto (Sindoor). The seeds are covered with a bright red-orange aril containing the dye Bixin. The flowers are pink or white. The seed paste is used as a coloring agent in food and cosmetics. The leaves and roots are also used medicinally. The tree is 3-6 feet tall with heart-shaped leaves. Annatto dye (v4-8%) is extracted from seed coating. It is used in fevers and wound healing. The dye has been used traditionally for body painting and as a sindoor (vermillion). Verse: 30-32.
How Annatto Helps with Skin Disorders
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Annatto has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing skin disorders:
- Potency (Virya): Ushna (hot)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
- Taste (Rasa): Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent)
- Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)
Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter (Tikta), Astringent (Kashaya)
- Quality (Guna)
- Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha)
- Potency (Virya)
- Hot (Ushna)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Key Constituents
- Bixin C25H30O4, Norbixin, Carotenoids
- Also Known As
- English: Annatto, Lipstick Tree
Sanskrit: सिन्दूरी, रक्तबीज
Hindi: सिन्दूरी, लतकन
Other Herbs for Skin Disorders
See all herbs for skin disorders on the Skin Disorders page.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.