GREEN MEDICINE OF THE INKAS : ACHIOTE TREE

For thousands of years ACHIOTE HAS BEEN USED by the Andean People for thousands of years to CURE and PREVENT MINOR and LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESSES.
ACHIOTE is the common NAME for the SEED THAT GROWS INSIDE THE FRUIT of the ACHIOTE TREE. During the AUTUM season, the ACHIOTE FRUIT RIPENS, the fruit itself is not edible, but the seeds inside are. The seed's coating is dried under the sun and then ground and added to the dishes to punch up the flavor in the Latin American cuisine. It is used as a natural food coloring.
Its NATURAL YELLOW COLOR is due to its high BIXIN LEVELS. Bixins are POWERFUL CAROTENOIDES that PROTECT THE EYES FROM THE HARMFUL EFFECT OF THE UV RAYS preventing the formation of CATARACTS and premature blindness. They are also potent ANTIOXIDANTS preventing the sign of aging by fighting off the free radicals that destroy cells.
The Andean people use the LEAVES to HEAL EXTERNAL as well as INTERNAL AILMENTS.
The leaves has anti-inflammatory properties. They mix the leaves with alcohol producing a decoction and applied this to the skin soothing rashes, burns, cuts, and other ailments. For women, the decoction is used to cure vaginal infections, specially after giving birth.
The LEAVES are one of the richest sources of TOCOTRIENOLS. They are important because they LIMIT THE LIVER'S ABILITY TO PRODUCE LDL CHOLESTEROL that is the kind of cholesterol that clogs arteries and causes HEART ATTACKS.
The TEA steeped FROM the LEAVES helps to stop DIARRHEA, specially the kind produced to cancer patients receiving radiation or chemotherapy. Three daily cups of tea improve general digestive problems or discomfort.
Also A DAILY ingested dose of TEA made of leaves and roots from the tree REDUCE BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVELS.
This powerful product was and is the natural healer for the Andean People of the Andes.