Under the guidance of a Toronto functional medicine provider, plant-based supplements may offer beneficial effects for health goals. One botanical medicine to note is achiote, a plant that’s been regarded for its antioxidant properties.  

Achiote – which is interchangeably called annatto and urucum – is cultivated in Brazil, Central and South America, Peru, Indonesia, Mexico, India, and East Africa. According to a Scientific World Journal review, the plant’s usage across the globe “…is related to the growing demand for natural dyes by many pharmaceutical, cosmetic, textile, and especially food industries.” Several types of industries use achiote seeds as safe colorants, which act as substitutes for synthetic dyes. 

Components of this plant can be concocted into powdered, liquid, and capsule supplements, too. Achiote is rich in medicinal properties, and scientists have linked this ingredient to possible  helping fight fungal infections and chronic pain. The aim of this article is to familiarize yourself with this plant and the advantages of taking herbal supplementation.  

What Exactly is Achiote? Understanding its Health Benefits 

Achiote was originally revered by the Indigenous people for its use in body painting, food coloring, and religious ceremonies. It was frequently applied on the skin to ward off mosquitoes and treat blisters. Today, the plant continues to be embraced by Indigenous tribes and its healthy properties are now accepted by wellness industries across North America. Here are some of the potential benefits of achiote when it’s consumed as a supplement: 

• • May support muscle repair: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluated a natural herbal supplement combining Zingiber officinale (ginger) and Bixa orellana (annatto/achiote) powders for effects on delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after an eccentric exercise session. The investigators reported that this blend was designed to assess whether it could accelerate recovery of muscle function and reduce pain perception following intense exercise compared to placebo.. 
  • Contains heart-healthy tocotrienols: Achiote is a source of tocotrienols, a unique cluster of chemicals related to vitamin E. Tocotrienols are thought to protect the body from cardiovascular disease and the formation of neurological conditions. In one study on tocotrienols extracted from achiote, it was shown that LDL, triglycerides and total cholesterol were lowered. 
  • Has the potential to ward off microbial  infections: Annatto (achiote), derived from the seeds of Bixa orellana, has been studied in laboratory settings for its antimicrobial properties. In vitro research suggests that certain annatto extracts may inhibit the growth of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Shigella species. These findings are based on experimental studies and do not necessarily translate to clinical effects in humans. Individuals with concerns about infections or gut health should consult a qualified healthcare provider to discuss evidence-based options
  • Appears to reduce inflammation: Achiote seeds contain two types of pigments called bixin and norbixin. Lab settings have shown these pigments exert antioxidant effects when ingested. Antioxidants can protect the body from oxidative damage, which helps reduce and prevent excessive inflammation and chronic pain from forming. 

Keep in mind, achiote isn’t the only botanical medicine available – our functional medicine clinic can introduce you to a wide variety of medicinal plants, too!

What Can Herbal Remedies Do for You? 

Herbal medicine may be adopted for managing long-term health goals, such as autoimmune and chronic conditions. Here are some perks to supplementing with plant-based ingredients: 

• • Offers convenience: There are several ways to prepare herbal remedies, which is why some of our patients opt into these natural therapies. Herbs can be uniquely customized into teas, essential oils, salves, capsules and powders. 
  • Dosages can be adapted for your needs. Botanical remedies offer an individualized, root-cause approach to relief, as some doses can be tweaked for managing symptom severity.  
  • Suitable for complementary purposes: If you want to support overall health promotion, medicinal plants can be carefully integrated into your daily routine with other supplements and certain medications. However, this should be done under the guidance of a health practitioner who is adept in plant-based remedies – contraindications can occur between herbs and OTC/prescription medications, and these must be cautiously avoided. 

Clinicians from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre can offer guidance on various types of herbal products, such as St. John’s Wort for persistent sadness or valerian root for sleep issues. If you find yourself resonating with this article, maybe it’s time to check out botanical supplementation for yourself! Herbal treatments can bet intertwined into a customized treatment plan. Learn about our clinical care below. 

Suggested reading: The Consequences of “Forever Chemicals”: A Toronto Functional Medicine Perspective

How to Get Herbal Supplementation Integrated into Your Treatment Plan 

The functional medicine model – which is what we adhere to – may benefit patients who need to manage chronic symptoms, especially those linked to metabolic factors, premature aging, brain care (i.e. memory loss), chronic pain, and hormonal imbalances.  

Our integrative treatment approach may offer assistance with symptom relief and chronic disease prevention, potentially targeting the root of your health issues. We can integrate conventional treatment methods with herbal remedies, Traditional Chinese Medicine, holistic nutrition, detoxification therapies, IV drip treatments, naturopathic medicine and homeopathic medicine, and other treatment options. 

For your convenience, we have two supplement dispensaries for patients: one is available online and one is located inside our practice. Botanical medicine may be carefully added to your treatment plan based on individual needs. Our functional naturopathic doctor is proficient in pharmacognosy, the formal study of natural compounds that form medicinal ingredients. We are trained to safely combine plant-based medicines with additional treatments, while considering over-the-counter and prescription medications. 

Our clinic services also include intravenous nutrient infusions from our IV Lounge. On a daily basis, we freshly blend IV therapy drips with a wide variety of nutrients; these treatments are aimed for health optimization support , and are not meant to be alternatives to healthy living (i.e. regular exercise, healthy diet). To support optimal wellness, IV treatments must be combined with healthy lifestyle factors and additional functional medicine therapies. 

Herbal supplementation can be discussed with our Toronto functional medicine practitioners – find out if these treatments are suitable for your needs! In-person and virtual appointments are available. Simply sent us a message to request your first session with us. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

 

References

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Larrosa, M., San Juan, A. F., Issaly, N., Burgos, S., Gonzalez, C., Bas, A., & Roller, M. (2020). Effect of a Blend of Zingiber officinale Roscoe and Bixa orellana L. Herbal Supplement on the Recovery of Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness Induced by Unaccustomed Eccentric Resistance Training: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Frontiers in Physiology, 11, 533832. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2020.00826

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Qureshi, Asaf A., Dilshad A. Khan, Wajiha Mahjabeen, and Nilofer Qureshi. 2014. “Dose-Dependent Modulation of Lipid Parameters, Cytokines and RNA by δ-Tocotrienol in Hypercholesterolemic Subjects Restricted to AHA Step-1 Diet”. Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research 6 (4):351-66. https://doi.org/10.9734/BJMMR/2015/13820.

Raddatz-Mota, D., Pérez-Flores, L.J., Carrari, F. et al. Achiote (Bixa orellana L.): a natural source of pigment and vitamin E. J Food Sci Technol 54, 1729–1741 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-017-2579-7

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