The vanilla flavor has been used by humans since time immemorial. As early as the 1400s, the Totonac people would cultivate it. The most common way this flavoring is used is in ice cream.
Well, this flavor is also available in an oil form. Vanilla essential oils have a number of uses, including lowering blood pressure, reducing depression and inflammation, boosting libido, fighting infections, and relieving PMS symptoms.
Another important benefit of vanilla essential oil is its antioxidant nature. It neutralizes free radicals and protects our body from infections and certain types of cancers. The antioxidants also help stimulate repair of the body in case of any damage.
Vanilla essential oil benefits
1. Rich in antioxidants
Vanilla essential oil is a great antioxidant, and neutralizes free radicals, protecting the body from wear and tear, and infections.
One of vanilla essential oil uses is that it repairs the damage already done to the body and stimulates healing. Oxidation is one of the most important causes of health issues and diseases.
They are directly or indirectly responsible for a number of diseases caused by organic malfunctions and diseases. Oxidizers, also known as free radicals, cause oxidation of living cells and tissues, burning them to death or changing their DNA structure to that of cancerous cells.
This results in the body’s immune system weakening, loss of memory, nervous malfunctioning, gradual loss of vision and hearing, mental instability, and macular degeneration amongst others. Vanilla essential oil helps prevent the above.
[Read: Vanilla Essential Oil: An Effective Anti-Oxidant]
2. Effective aphrodisiac
Administering vanilla essential oil to patients suffering from erectile dysfunction, impotence, frigidity or loss of libido, might be able to relieve them of their problems.
Vanilla essential oil stimulates the secretion of certain hormones like testosterone and estrogen, which might help bring about regular sexual behavior and promote sexual arousal.
3. Antimutagenic
According to a study (1), vanilla has potential anti-mutagenic properties and inhibits the mutation factor in colon cancer cells. There are still more revelations required to explore the potential of vanilla essential oil in cancer treatment.
4. Helps regulate fever
The vanilla essential oil may help reduce fever by fighting infections. The essential oil contains components like eugenol and vanillin hydroxybenzaldehyde, which help fight infections.
It is also considered an antiphlogistic, as it is a sedative, and reduces inflammation caused by fevers.
5. Calming sedative effect
Vanilla essential oil soothes the body in many ways. It takes care of all kinds of inflammation and hyperactivity in the systems of the body, including the nervous, digestive, excretory, circulatory, and respiratory systems.
It reduces inflammation that stems from fever and also handles stress, anxiety, convulsions, and hypersensitivity to allergens.
[Read: Four Key Benefits of Lime Essential Oil]
6. Relaxing properties
The sedative calming properties of the oil make it have a relaxing effect on the brain and nerves and provides relief from anger, anxiety, and restlessness.
7. Tranquilizing
Vanilla essential oil helps to get a good night’s sleep due to its sedative and relaxing properties. The oil lowers blood pressure and has a tranquilizing effect on the brain. If you have been having trouble sleeping lately, try vanilla essential oil for a good night’s sleep.
8. Weight loss
A study by Duke University(2) tested the effects of vanilla on satiety. Using aspartame and vanilla for flavoring, the profiles were either bland or tasty, and either high in fat or carbohydrates.
The study found that the tastier high fat and carbohydrate meals, flavored with the aspartame and vanilla, were more satiating than blander yet nutrient-identical counterparts. This shows that hunger may be decreased by choosing more flavorful foods, even with the same nutrients.
9. Good for the hair
If you suffer from split ends or hair loss, the organic vanilla essential oil may be used to strengthen your hair and induce the flow of blood to your scalp to promote hair growth.
[Read: Essential Oils for Thinning Hair]
10. Helps reduce acne
The vanilla essential oil has certain antibacterial properties, that may help fight breakouts, and if used regularly and judiciously, reduce scars and brighten your skin complexion.
11. Reduces cholesterol levels
Vanilla essential oil is good for cardiovascular health as it reduces cholesterol levels. This is important for people who are at high risk of heart attacks and strokes. Lower cholesterol helps in preventing inflammation of the arteries and blood clots.
12. Promotes healthy skin
Vanilla essential oil is a great source of B vitamins like niacin, thiamin, vitamin B6, and pantothenic acid which play an important role in the maintenance of healthy skin. The antioxidant properties of vanilla essential oil protect your skin from damage caused by environmental pollutants and toxins.
How to use it?
Organic vanilla essential oil may be used on its own or mixed with other things depending on what you use it for. For example, if it is mixed with brown sugar and lemon juice, it makes a good face pack. You may also use vanilla essential oil as a perfume, and mix it with something like almond oil or jojoba oil and water. For improved skin health, add 2 or 3 drops of vanilla essential oil to your daily face wash.
[Read: Benefits of Vetiver Essential Oil]
Myths and side effects
Vanilla essential oil does not have any side effects, but like many essential oils, it is not recommended to use for pregnant women and children. Some essential oils might cause irritations or allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin. Carry out a patch test before regular use to find out whether your skin can tolerate vanilla essential oil.
Vanilla essential oil is a great natural ingredient that is good for our health. From being an antioxidant to helping our skin and hair, there’s nothing this essential oil isn’t capable of. Include vanilla essential oil into your daily care regime for healthy skin, or use the oil in other ways to extract maximum benefits.
FAQs
1. How to Make Vanilla Essential Oil?
To make vanilla essential oil, you need to use vanilla pods and the hot or cold infusion method.
2. What Else Can You Use with Vanilla Essential Oil?
You can blend lavender with it to make lavender vanilla essential oil, that has a lot of benefits.
