This page is a detailed botanical reference. For name translations across countries, see: Achiote.
Bixa orellana
Also known as: Achiote · azafrán de la tierra · Bija · Bixa orellana L. · K'uxub (Maya) · Onoto · tintórea · Urucú
Common in: Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, Venezuela
Used for: medicinal use · culinary use
species · Type: herb
What is this herb called in different countries?
Indexed common names for this species, grouped by country. Each label opens that name’s hub.
Argentina
Bolivia
Colombia
Costa Rica
Guatemala
Honduras
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Venezuela
Traditional-use themes, index safety flags, and how local herb names differ by country.
At a glance
- Family
- Bixaceae
- Countries & regions (index)
- Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, Venezuela · Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Tropical Americas, Venezuela
- Evidence label (index)
- Traditional / ethnobotanical context (label)
- Toxicity (index)
- Lower concern in index
- Sustainability / harvest
- Not listed in the current index slice.
Uses & indexed themes
No extra therapeutic themes are listed for this species in the current index slice—see traditional use categories above.
- culinary use
- medicinal use
Browse by use: Culinary-medicinal herbs · Medicinal herbs
Similar medicinal herbs (shared uses)
Other species in this index that share at least one of the same traditional use categories: medicinal use · culinary use
- Dysphania ambrosioidesmedicinal use · culinary use
- Mentha spicatamedicinal use · culinary use
- Aloysia citrodoramedicinal use · tea · aromatic use
- Buddleja globosamedicinal use
- Croton lechlerimedicinal use
- Equisetum bogotensemedicinal use
- Erythroxylum cocamedicinal use · ritual use
- Matricaria chamomillamedicinal use · tea
- Piper aduncummedicinal use
- Ruta chalepensismedicinal use · ritual use
- Ruta graveolensmedicinal use · ritual use
- Uncaria tomentosamedicinal use
Safety notes
These flags summarize dataset metadata. They are not a safety guarantee and do not replace professional advice.
⚠️ Confusable species: similar common names or look‑alikes may be a different plant. Confirm identity before use.
Level
Lower concern in index
Avoid if
No extra “avoid if” flags in the index slice
Interactions
None called out beyond the notes below
Look‑alike risk
Yes
Evidence label
Traditional / ethnobotanical context (label)
Geography
Native / origin regions (dataset)
Tropical Americas
Where it appears in the index
Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, Venezuela · Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Tropical Americas, Venezuela
When countries differ from native range, it usually reflects where names and uses were recorded—not a claim that the plant is wild everywhere listed.
Regional naming in the index
- Argentina → culinary use, medicinal useAchiote · azafrán de la tierra
- Bolivia · Colombia · Guatemala · Panama · Peru · Venezuela → culinary use, medicinal use
Common questions
- Is Achiote safe to drink daily?
- Many people use moderate amounts in teas, but safety depends on the exact species, dose, medications, and your health context. This page is informational only—ask a qualified clinician when unsure.
- What is Achiote used for?
- In FloraLexicon’s index, this species is most often associated with: medicinal use · culinary use. Traditional use is not proof of benefit or safety for any person.
- Is Achiote safe?
- The index labels toxicity as Lower concern in index. Common themes include medicinal use · culinary use. This is not a personal risk assessment—ask a qualified clinician for your situation.
- Can Achiote be confused with other plants?
- Yes—shared common names are a major source of mix‑ups. When you see an ambiguity callout below, open the name hub to compare scientific species side by side.
Last updated from FloraLexicon’s merged ethnobotanical index—informational only; see disclaimer.