Vanilla is well known for its sweet, luxurious, alluring scent and its many diverse uses around the world. While vanilla makes for delicious, mouth-watering desserts, refreshing sodas, and truly mesmerizing perfume scents, one of its best uses is the endless list of mental and physical health benefits that vanilla oil brings.

This may surprise you, but the benefits of vanilla extract or essence extend to your skin. It is used as an ingredient in a number of products such as body lotions, lip balms, body oils and creams to add more than just fragrance.

Vanilla extract contains a rich concentration of antioxidants that maintain the youthful appearance of the skin when added to cosmetic products. Vanilla is a commonly used ingredient in candles and soaps to add a luxurious touch to their scent, as well as to improve mood.

Harvest
November – December

Part of the plant
Fetus

Extraction method
Solvent extraction

Oil for happiness and pleasure

The scent of vanilla is wonderful on its own and blends beautifully with other oils, including citrus, peppermint, and spice essential oils . When used sparingly, it helps balance out the flavors.

A widely used ingredient in perfumery, inducing comfort, euphoria and relaxation. More than a sweet aroma, vanilla has several therapeutic properties that can be beneficial to your health.

Vanilla extract is useful for preventing infections, increasing libido, reducing blood pressure, and relieving inflammation.

Vanilla has sedative properties for the body. It can calm the nervous system and regulate blood pressure, as well as reduce hyperactivity and anxiety. It also helps with anxiety and sadness as it combines relaxation with mood enhancement.

When it comes to beauty elixirs, vanilla is nothing out of the ordinary. You will improve the appearance of your skin and hair if you add a few drops of vanilla extract to your lotion or shampoo.

Botanical name Vanilla planifolia	Aroma profile Rich, warm, sweet and balmy
family Orchidaceae	fragrance Base note
Origin Mexico, Indonesia and Madagascar	application Elevates mood, helps with stress, nervous irritation and depression, infections, inflammation and high blood pressure

Application and effect

The mood-boosting benefits of vanilla are well-known, as the scent is said to bring feelings of calm, comfort, and contentment, and is also considered an aphrodisiac. Similar associations are contained in an old Totonac legend in which the daughter of the Mexican fertility goddess transforms into a plant to bring pleasure and happiness to a mortal lover – of course, that plant is Vanilla.

Anti-aging: Rich in antioxidants, vanilla prevents and repairs skin damage caused by free radicals. It helps delay the signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles and age spots.

Suppresses bacteria: Vanilla effectively stops the spread of dangerous bacteria without endangering health. One such bacteria is Staph, and vanilla has the ability to suppress its development.

Most often used as a base note, vanilla provides novice perfumers with an open olfactory field, combining beautifully with a variety of fruity, floral, woody and resinous scents to stimulate the senses. It can be combined with labdanum and benzoin to create an ambery base accord reminiscent of oriental and chypre scents, or combined with musky and woody notes to create a powdery base that is almost synonymous with classic femininity. Some of the most suitable essential oils to pair with vanilla include bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, mandarin, orange, sandalwood and vetiver, but the list is by no means limited to these!

Vanilla can bring out the best in many blends; your own sense of smell – and sense of adventure – are your greatest guides when experimenting with vanilla-based fragrances.

Mental Application: Reducing signs of depression and anxiety	Psychological action: Aphrodisiac, relaxing, soothing
Physical Application: Prevents the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, acne, for shiny hair, stimulates hair growth	Physical action: Antioxidant, antibacterial, analgesic and antimutagenic

Recipes with vanilla extract

Hair growth stimulant

Drop the essential oils directly into the bottle of grapeseed oil and mix well. Apply to your hair from roots to ends and massage your scalp in circular motions for 2-3 minutes. Apply it along the entire length of your strands, focusing more on dry ends. Secure your hair with a clip and wrap your head with a warm towel. Leave it for 15 minutes. Wash with a mild natural shampoo.

Vanilla body scrub

½ teaspoon finely ground coffee (the residue after preparing the drink) and 1 tablespoon honey
40 ml olive oil with squalene
10 drops vanilla extract

Mix the ingredients in a glass jar and use twice a week to remove dead cells from the body.

Face mask

¼ teaspoon pasteurized milk or whipped cream and ¼ teaspoon honey
10 drops Rosewater
5 drops vanilla extract

First mix the milk and honey. Once mixed well, add the rose water and vanilla extract. You can apply this after washing your face, massaging around the eye area to release some muscle tension and soften the skin. Leave the mask on for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse and feel the difference in your skin.