Abstract : According to ethanomedical information plant Bixa orellana Linn (Bixaceae), commonly known as “annatto” in English and “Sinduri” in Sanskrit. Annatto is mainly used for its bright red fruit (seedpods) as a natural colour and hence it’s common name “Lipstick tree”.
It has been widely used to treat various ailments such as Gonorrhoea, inflammatory, mosquito repellent, haemostatic, anti-dysentric, diuretic, epilepsy, kidney and some skin diseases. It is commonly used as aphrodisiac medicine. It is also used to treat urinary difficulties and stomach problems. A non toxic- Annatto dye which is obtained from pulp is used for colouring edible materials. The unique red colour to annatto is due to bixin and norbixin, which are Carotenoids.
Present work was carried out to determine its macro morphological, and chemo-micro- morphological profiles. These findings will be useful towards establishing pharmacognostic standards on identification, purity and quality.
Keyword : Bixa orellana Linn, Pharmacognostic evaluation, Physicochemical Analysis.