We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Andiroba?

By Joellen Barak
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 9,196
Share

Andiroba, or carapa guianensis, is a tree related to the mahogany tree and grows in the Amazon basin. It is a giant of the rainforest, reaching heights of over 90 feet (27 m). The andiroba tree is easily recognizable by the large, fragrant, off-white flowers it exhibits when in bloom. A mature andiroba tree can also produce 150 pounds (68 kg) of nuts, which resemble four-cornered chestnuts and measure 3 to 4 inches (7 to 10 cm) across. The andiroba nut contains several kernels of a pale yellow oil, which has many herbal and medicinal uses.

Andiroba oil is valued for its insect-repelling properties. It has long been used in candles, soaps, and as an anti-insect lantern oil by the indigenous people of Brazil and the Amazon basin. It can also be used topically both to repel insects and to soothe and treat bites from mosquitoes, flies, and other pests.

In addition to its insect-repelling properties, andiroba oil is also used as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory agent. Some users apply it to joints to relieve the pain and swelling from arthritis. When rubbed into bruises and wounds, it is believed to reduce pain and also seems to have antibiotic properties. The oil can also be ingested, and is believed to soothe sore throats, aid in digestion, and even eliminate intestinal parasites. A few drops of andiroba oil in the ear have been used as an herbal remedy for ear infections, as well as a treatment for ear mites in both humans and animals.

In addition to the oil, each part of the andiroba tree has been used as herbal medicine or remedy. The leaves are brewed into a tea to aid digestion when consumed, and used to reduce pain and swelling when applied as a compress. The flower has been studied as an anti-cancer agent, especially with skin and uterine cancers, although further study is needed on the plant's efficacy in this capacity. Andiroba bark has been noted to have antibacterial properties.

Besides the herbal and medicinal properties of the andiroba tree, the wood is valued highly as well. Its resemblance to mahogany has made it popular in furniture building, and it seems that the wood retains its insect-repelling properties even after the manufacturing process. Furniture crafted from the andiroba tree exhibits the beauty of mahogany plus has the advantage of naturally repelling termites and other pests.

The various herbal, medicinal, and structural advantages of the andiroba tree are many. The tree has been, to a certain extent, over-harvested in the rainforest because of its value. Fortunately, the tree is grown relatively easily from nursery-started seedlings, so replanting is very feasible to meet the current and future needs of the andiroba market.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-andiroba.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.