Bixa Orellana-Achiote is a small tree that is indigenous to the tropical regions and according to Tramil it is harvested for its seeds, which are mixed into either syrup or fried into coconut oil to heal burns, sunstroke, headaches, and colds.
The seeds are harvested and are pounded to a fine powder than either mixed with syrup for oral consumption or most popular, with coconut oil and applied to the burn.
The breakdown of nutrients in the plant are Vitamin C: 0,05% proteins: 6,61% total sugars: 10,24% iron: 0,08%.
A study conducted by scientists describes Achiote seeds and leaves mixture producing an antibacterial effect against the viruses Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli13.
However, achiote can produce many toxic effects such as the oil of the seeds applied to adults can cause a chronic nettle rash.
As Achiote’s cultivation in Haiti is relatively unknown but the fact remains that this plant when not used carefully can cause detrimental effects and the only way to understand the effects are to experiment and this is exactly what Macandal does in The Kingdom of This World. His knowledge of plants allows him to create a poison to administer to the dog to test, “Macandal rubbed its muzzle with a stone that the juice of the fungus had colored a light yellow. The dog’s muscles contracted, its body jerked in violent convulsions, and it rolled over on its back, legs stiff and teeth bared” (20).
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