Introduction
Andiroba is a relative of the mahogany tree and grows up to 82 feet in height.1,2 Native to tropical South America and Africa, andiroba is used extensively by the Amazonian peoples.3,4 It produces fragrant, cream-colored flowers and a round, chestnut-like fruit which bears seeds containing a rich, yellow oil.3,4 History and Cultural Significance
Historically, andiroba seed oil has been used topically by Brazilians to treat bruises and sprains and as an insect repellent.5 South Americans have used the seed oil topically to help treat arthritis, rashes, boils, and inflammation, as well as joint and muscle aches and pains.6,7 The people of the Amazon also use andiroba oil to treat pulled muscles and as fuel in oil lamps for illumination.8 Candles are also made with andiroba oil to repel mosquitoes.8 The Caboclo Indians of Maraho Island utilize the oil topically for insect bites and ear infections; they use a decoction of the bark internally to stimulate digestion.2 In Brazil, the fruit oil is used internally to treat cough and applied topically to remove ticks.6 Orally, the bark and leaves of the andiroba have been employed by Amazon peoples as a treatment for fevers, flu, and depression.8 The bark and leaves are applied topically as a wash for sores, ulcers, and skin infections.7 Andiroba is also used by the forest-dwellers and river people of the Amazon in the production of a medicinal soap.7,8 They use andiroba oil to extract dyes from other plants to make a paste to paint their skin.8 Modern Research
Studies have shown that the bark of the andiroba tree may have antibacterial properties, and the heartwood may have anti-fungal activity.2 Other research studies have examined andiroba oil’s effectiveness as a mosquito repellent.9 Future Outlook
At maturity, an andiroba tree can produce up to 110 pounds of seeds which are composed of 50% oil.10 The current market and uses for andiroba outside of Brazil are not well-known, but are estimated to be quite small. Since andiroba is widely distributed throughout Africa, Central America, and South America, and since it is easily grown from nursery-raised seedlings, potential is great for a sustainable harvest of andiroba seed if the market warrants it.10 References
1 The Andiroba Case. Ethical boundaries of registering patents and trademarks on biological resources and traditional knowledge of the Amazon rainforest. Available at: http://www.amazonlink.org/biopiracy/andiroba.htm. Accessed December 9, 2004. 2 Krompegel K. Ethnobotany of Two Contrasting American Ecosystems: Amazonia and the Sonoran Desert. Colorado State University website. 2000. Available at: http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Entomology/courses/en570/papers_2000/krompegel.html. Accessed December 9, 2004. 3 Forestry Department website. Selected species and strategies to enhance income generation from Amazonian forests. Available at: http://www.fao.org/documents/show_cdr.asp?url_file=/docrep/v0784e/vo784e0t.htm. Accessed December 9, 2004. 4 Television Trust for the Environment website. Dollars from Scents- Brazil. Available at: http://www.tve.org/ho/doc.cfm?aid-886. Accessed on 12/09/04. 5 Center for International Forestry Research website. Healthcare threatened in eastern Amazon. 2001. Available at: http://www.cifor.cgiar.org/docs/_ref/publications/areports/english2001/eastern_amazon.htm. Accessed December 9, 2004. 6 Selected species and strategies to enhance income generation from Amazonian forests-forestry dept. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations website. Available at: http://www.fao.org/documents/show_cdr.asp?url_file=docrep/v0784e/v0784e0t.htm. Accessed December 9, 2004. 7 Jellin J, Gregory P, editors. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 5th ed. Stockton, CA: Therapeutic Research Facility; 2003. 8 Ethical boundaries of registering patents and trademarks on biological resources and traditional knowledge of the Amazon rainforest. Available at: http://www.amazonlink.org/biopiracy/andiroba.htm. Accessed December 9, 2004. 9 Miot H, et al. Comparative study of the topical effectiveness of the Andiroba oil (Carapa guianensis) and DEET 50% as repellant for Aedes sp. Rev Inst Med Trop S Paulo. 2004:46(5);253-256. 10 Sampaio P. Andiroba. Selected species and strategies to enhance income generation from Amazonian forests. Available at: http://www.fao.org/documents/show_cdr.asp?url_file=/docrep/v0784e/v0784e0t.htm. Accessed March 12, 2005.
|
