Unveiling the Healing Power of Vanilla Essential Oil: A Haven for Mind and Body
Vanilla has always been one of the most popular aromas in the food and perfume industry. Yummy desserts and sweet-smelling perfumes pop up in our minds as soon as we hear the word vanilla. However, this versatile ingredient is not limited to the food flavoring and perfumery industry. It also holds a significant place in therapeutic practices. Vanilla Essential Oil has gained popularity in recent years due to its potential benefits for the body and mind.
About Vanilla
The vanilla orchid is native to Mexico and was once a secret treasure of the natives. It wasn't until the Aztecs conquered the Totonac Indians' territory that vanilla pods were introduced to the rest of the world, eventually making their way to Spain. For centuries, Mexico was the only country producing vanilla.
Though vanilla is now cultivated in different regions, vanilla produced in Madagascar is often considered superior due to its higher vanillin content. Vanillin, the natural compound responsible for vanilla's signature sweet, warm, and creamy aroma, makes Madagascar vanilla beans richer in scent and flavor. Madagascar vanilla bean concentrate is regarded as a gold standard in vanilla products.
Though vanilla is now cultivated in different regions, vanilla produced in Madagascar is often considered superior due to its higher vanillin content. Vanillin, the natural compound responsible for vanilla's signature sweet, warm, and creamy aroma, makes Madagascar vanilla beans richer in scent and flavor. Madagascar vanilla bean concentrate is regarded as a gold standard in vanilla products.
"Vanilla Essential Oils": What Are They?
It's important to note that extracting aromatic compounds from vanilla beans via distillation or mechanical methods is not feasible. Steam distillation would destroy the beans, and pressing yields no oil. As a result, solvents are necessary for releasing the aromatic components of vanilla, meaning it cannot be classified as a true essential oil by ISO standards. Instead, we get vanilla concentrates made from real beans, which come in different forms like liquid, semi-solid, and thick oil, each offering varying degrees of aromatic intensity.
Types of Vanilla Concentrates
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla Extract is the most common edible form of extract. Vanilla extract is obtained from 3 to 4-month-old, matured, and fermented vanilla beans. This aging process allows the beans to develop their traditional balsamic aroma by increasing the amount of vanillin in the beans. In the next phase, the cured beans are soaked in water and ethyl alcohol solution. The mixture is then allowed to sit for about a year. So, the flavors and aroma from the beans get infused in the solution completely. After the aroma and flavors are completely infused in the solution, beans are filtered out of the solution,. Leaving behind a dark brown fluid known as “Vanilla Extract”.
Let’s not confuse vanilla extract with vanilla essence here. Essence is an imitation of natural vanilla extract. Due to its low price and easy availability on the market, it is widely used in flavoring as an alternative to natural vanilla extract.
The extract is not an essential oil. It is extracted using alcohol as a solvent and is not supposed to be used as an essential oil. It is one of the best choices for culinary purposes.
The extract is not an essential oil. It is extracted using alcohol as a solvent and is not supposed to be used as an essential oil. It is one of the best choices for culinary purposes.
Vanilla Oleoresin
Vanilla oleoresin is obtained by removing the solvent composed of water and ethanol 50% (vv) from chopped vanilla beans under vacuum. This concentrate can only be used in non-food products. During the extraction process, it lost some of its aroma.
Oleoresin is one of the less expensive options available in vanilla concentrates. It is used in commercial personal care products like lotions and creams etc. Most of the products selling under the label of vanilla essential oil, are therapeutic-grade Vanilla Oleoresin.
Oleoresin is one of the less expensive options available in vanilla concentrates. It is used in commercial personal care products like lotions and creams etc. Most of the products selling under the label of vanilla essential oil, are therapeutic-grade Vanilla Oleoresin.
Vanilla Absolute
Absolute or vanilla resinoid is the most concentrated form of vanilla extracts. For that reason, the most aromatic of all other forms. The solvent extraction method is used in the extraction of absolute. It contains the highest amount of vanillin, a compound responsible for its balsamic aroma. This makes vanilla absolute extremely expensive too. A little amount of this absolute goes a long way and is only used in high-end cosmetics, perfumery, and skincare products. It is not suitable to be used in food as it might contain residue of solvent and should not be ingested. Absolute is an oil-based concentrate so, it blends in well with oil-based formulas. Absolute is solid or thick viscosity liquid at room temperature. Although Absolute is soluble in carrier oils, it’s still not a good choice for aromatherapy massages, due to its extremely high price. On that account, it also cannot be considered an essential oil.
Vanilla CO2 Oil
CO2 extraction is one of the newest and most cost-effective extraction methods. This availability has made vanilla CO2 oil a top choice for the aroma therapy industry. The extraction process involves passing through supercooled liquid carbon dioxide (CO2), under high pressure, through the vanilla beans. Then, the pressure is resealed, which makes carbon dioxide (CO2) turn back into gas, leaving behind CO2 oil. This is one of the cleanest extraction processes as there is no residue of carbon dioxide or any other solvent remaining. The aroma of CO2 oil is a little different from the other vanilla extracts. It is more like the vanilla plant itself. The concentration of this extract is not as high as that of vanilla absolute. Due to its easy accessibility, and neat extraction, it has become the best choice for aroma therapy and personal care products. CO2 oil is also referred to as vanilla essential oil by the sellers. Also, it is being used as a therapeutic-grade vanilla oil. It dissolves well in oil, so blends with carrier oils with ease.
The Therapeutic Power of Vanilla Essential Oil
Vanilla Oil offers various therapeutic benefits, making it a great choice for natural wellness routines. Let's explore some of the ways it can enhance well-being:
Muscle Relaxant
Inhaling vanilla's soothing aroma has been shown to reduce stress-induced muscle tension. A study was held to examine the mood and physiological effects of fragrances on humans. The findings of the study state that inhaling this fragrance can significantly reduce stress-induced muscle tension.
Sleep Aid (Helps Insomnia)
Sleep specialist, with a BSM certification "Nicole Eichelberger" who deals with insomnia, apnea, and circadian rhythm disorders, says that there is some evidence that vanilla's scent can help promote sleep. He further explains that in particular, vanilla's calming scent may aid in promoting sleep by reducing stress and anxiety.
Anti-Nociceptive and Antidepressant
An experiment was conducted on mice to examine the effect of a particular scent. As a result, researchers discovered that inhaled vanilla's scent has relaxing and anti-nociceptive properties.
According to another study, "animals exposed to the odor of vanillin exhibited a significant decrease in symptoms of depression," indicating that inhaling the scent of vanillin increases levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain.
Mood Booster
Inhaling vanilla promotes feelings of relaxation and happiness, making it an excellent choice for those seeking emotional uplift.
Did You Know That Vanilla is The Most Adored Fragrance in The World?
It is widely believed that Vanilla's scent is the most adored and popular fragrance among people from around the globe. This can be backed by a study in which participants from diverse backgrounds, including the indigenous population, who have little to no exposure to Western culture, were asked to rate different smells. Despite their cultural differences, this particular fragrance was rated the most pleasing smell among most of the participants.
Research-Based Facts & Figures
The lovely aroma is more than a delicious pleasure. Studies conducted by scientists have demonstrated that the delightful vanilla scent can significantly improve mood and help calm human bodies.
An analysis of a study that looked at how fragrance affects human emotions was published in the Oxford Academic Journal. According to this study, some calming fragrances have the ability to reduce stress-related muscle tension, especially in the neck and shoulder muscles, by remarkably lowering the trapezius EMG stress response.
An analysis of a study that looked at how fragrance affects human emotions was published in the Oxford Academic Journal. According to this study, some calming fragrances have the ability to reduce stress-related muscle tension, especially in the neck and shoulder muscles, by remarkably lowering the trapezius EMG stress response.
Figure 1 (Link: https://academic.oup.com/view-large/figure/3269831/bjh208f1.jpeg)
The relative response of vanilla bean fragrance was measured in the mood map graphic above. It indicates that a very high percentage of relaxing and happy emotional reactions were triggered by the scent of vanilla beans. resulting in lower trapezius EMG stress response.
How to Incorporate Vanilla Essential Oil into Your Routine
If you are thinking of ways to harness the benefits of vanilla essential oil for your well-being. Here are a few simple ways to incorporate this de-stressing medicine into your daily life.
Bath Bliss: You can enjoy a delightful and calming soak by adding a few drops of vanilla oil to a warm bath.
Sleep Aid: For a restful night's sleep, pour a few drops of vanilla essential oil on your pillow before bed.
Muscle Relaxing Massage: You can use vanilla oil in aromatherapy massage. Dilute it with carrier oil to get a gentle muscle-relaxing massage.
Relaxing Aroma All Around: You can fill your room with a relaxing aroma by adding a few drops of vanilla essential oil in the diffuser to unwind after a long hectic day.
Enhance Meditation: You can apply a drop of vanilla essential oil on your wrist before meditation to enhance relaxation and focus. For more relaxation tips, check out our guide on How To Practice Mindfulness on the Go.
Final Takeaway: Incorporating Vanilla Essential Oil into your self-care routine can offer more than just a pleasant aroma. Whether you're looking to relax, enhance your meditation, or soothe muscle tension, vanilla oil provides a natural remedy for both the body and mind. From its rich history rooted in ancient Mexico to its modern applications in aromatherapy, Vanilla Essential Oil has proven to be a versatile and beneficial addition to everyday wellness.
By adding this aromatic oil to your daily routine, you can experience its mood-boosting, relaxing, and therapeutic properties. Whether through a calming bath, a soothing massage, or simply filling your room with its gentle fragrance, this incredible nature's treat can help create a peaceful environment, allowing you to unwind and de-stress effortlessly.