The Health Benefits and Medicinal Properties of Vanilla

Vanilla is a tropical vine belonging to the orchid family. Its seedpod is called a vanilla bean. The vanilla bean is usually dried and then powdered or made into vanilla extract.

Vanilla powder or vanilla extract is primarily used as a flavoring. It can be used in a wide range of culinary creations including ice creams, beverages, cakes, cookies and other baked goods. There are now many types of vanilla beans including Bourbon-Madagascar vanilla beans, Tahitian vanilla beans and Mexican vanilla beans.

Vanilla is generally safe for cooking. However, some food products made from Mexican vanilla beans contain coumarin, a potentially toxic substance. One must be careful when using products made from this variety of vanilla bean.

Apart from its distinct fragrance and flavor, vanilla also has medicinal uses.

Benefits of Vanilla

Old medicinal literature refers to vanilla as an aphrodisiac, saying that its fragrance can increase sexual desire or attraction to the opposite sex.
Vanilla has properties that help prevent many types of cancer. Many claim that adding a little vanilla to a well-balanced diet and leading a healthy lifestyle prolongs life expectancy and improves overall quality of life.
Studies show that vanilla oil promotes healthy digestion and prevents constipation and diarrhea.
Vanilla can also be used in aromatherapy, and is effective in relieving anxiety, depression and stress. Its scent has calming and soothing properties, making it a good fragrance for medication or relaxation.
The scent of vanilla can help cure nasal congestion brought about by the common cold. It clears phlegm and treats other respiratory infections.
It also has anti-inflammatory properties and can be used for reducing fever and relieving pain.
Many pharmaceutical companies use vanilla in manufacturing medications to strengthen the immune system.