 The History of Vanilla A member of the orchid family, the vanilla plant (V. planifolia) is native to Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Though many orchids are edible, vanilla is the only plant out of 25,000 orchid species that’s a cultivated food source. Vanilla was originally cultivated by the Totonacs before they were conquered by the Aztecs in the 1400s. The Totonacs used it in for everything from sweetening their drinking chocolate to adding flavor to cigars. When the Aztecs were conquered by the Spanish, all of their riches were brought to Europe, including vanilla. However, it didn’t become popular in Europe until the 1600s when vanilla-flavored desserts became a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I. After that, the spice quickly became popular in France, where Thomas Jefferson first tried vanilla ice cream and brought it back to America. Vanilla has grown in popularity since, becoming the main ingredient not only in food and drink, but in perfumes and beauty products. Colonization and globalization brought vanilla plants around the world, but they remained notoriously difficult and time-consuming to grow and harvest. Before better fertilization processes were developed in the 1800s, there was only a window of a few days a year for vanilla plants to be fertilized, and once the seed pods are ripe, it takes several months of curing to bring out the true flavor. Eventually, Indonesia and Madagascar became the world’s largest producers of vanilla, and Bourbon-Madagascar vanilla is considered the best in the world. Tahitian and Mexican vanilla, with slightly subtler tastes, are also very popular but not as highly prized. 🍃Vanilla Plant V. planifolia is an orchid on a growing vine that only blooms once a year and must be fertilized within that window. Once the plant has been pollinated, it develops a seed pod that looks much like a bean, which is why its fruits are commonly called “vanilla beans.” This is where the vanilla we know comes from. However, when it comes off the vine, it doesn’t taste or smell anything like the vanilla we know. Producing the scent and flavor takes months of drying, curing, and extracting. Because of the fragile nature of the compounds in the vanilla beans, they can’t be extracted by most traditional means. Thus, vanilla extract is made by breaking up and filtering vanilla pods in a solution of ethanol and water. 🍃Chemical Properties The main active compound is vanillin, which gives off the smell and taste we associate with vanilla. The higher the concentration of vanillin, the better the health benefits. An ideal vanillin concentration in an essential oil is 20–25 percent. Normally, food grade vanilla extract only contains two percent vanillin, so it won’t have the same effect as the essential oil. While vanillin accounts for about 85 percent of how vanilla smells and tastes, the other 15 percent comes from a combination of 130 other components, and varies by plant species and region of growth. That’s what makes the difference between Bourbon-Madagascar, Tahitian, and Mexican vanilla. 🍃What Is Vanilla Essential Oil? Strictly speaking, there’s no such thing as vanilla essential oil. That’s because the extraction process for vanilla essence is different than the process for extracting essential oils, which are created through an expeller, steam distillation, or cold-pressing. Vanilla bean pods can’t be used in any of these extraction methods, so technically, there is no pure vanilla essential oil. What there is, however, is pure vanilla extract by way of CO2 extraction or using a solvent like ethanol. When you’re choosing between these extracts, the higher the vanillin concentration, the more potent the product. So, when we discuss vanilla essential oil, keep in mind that we’re talking about products with a high concentration of vanillin—around 20 percent or higher— often in a carrier oil, which is extracted through a carbon dioxide process, or vanilla absolute, which uses alcohol to keep the thick extract properly diluted. 🍃Three main kinds of vanilla are used in vanilla essential oil: • Oleoresin: A semi-solid resin extracted from vanilla bean pods using a solvent. This doesn’t completely mix with carrier oils, so there is often a residue in products. • Absolute: A concentrated, thick substance also extracted using a solvent. This can easily blend into body products. • CO2 Extract: A concentrate extracted from vanilla bean pods using high-pressure carbon dioxide that dissolves easily in carrier oils. This is the only one of the three that can be diffused. 🍃Uses for Vanilla Essential Oil Promotes Relaxation Vanilla is widely-credited as a calming substance that creates positive associations and evokes feelings of warmth and happiness. That’s one of the primary reasons that vanilla is used in so many bath and body products: it evokes such a relaxing sensation. Improves Sleep Quality Vanilla works on both a physical and mental level to help you relax. It quiets the mind and relieves tension, so you’re lulled more easily to sleep. When used in a diffuser in the bedroom for a short period of time before bed, vanilla essential oil can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Maintains Respiratory Health Vanilla, especially on bedding pillows, has been shown to help you breathe easier at night because it promotes relaxation and affects the respiratory center in the brain. The National Center for Scientific Research in France conducted a study in premature infants. It found significant improvement in sleep apnea when the infants slept on pillows containing vanillin. Defends Against Disease In lab trials, vanilla has been shown to significantly reduce the presence of harmful bacteria like E. coli and Listeria. Vanilla has also been shown to stop bacteria from spreading and joining with other kinds of bacteria. This is the leading cause for the development of treatment-resistant bacterial strains. These properties have been attributed to the action of the eugenol and vanillin hydroxybenzaldehyde found in vanilla essential oil. Acts as an Aphrodisiac The molecular structure of vanilla essential oil is similar to that of human pheromones. These are chemical substances produced and released into the environment by animals. So, vanilla scents are definitely an attractor, encouraging increased levels of estrogen and testosterone. Relieves PMS Symptoms Because vanilla essential oil has been shown to boost estrogen production, it can help alleviate symptoms of PMS like bloating, fatigue, and cramps, as well as better-regulate emotions. Boosts Skin and Hair Health Vanilla essential oil contains B vitamins that are important for healthy and shiny hair. Some people even say that it can help prevent hair loss! The niacin, thiamin, and pantothenic acid found in vanilla essential oil help promote skin health, keeping skin clear of acne and fending off free radical damage. It can also help prevent wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. 🍃SOURCE: Monq.com Zanabella products that contain Vanilla include Fairy Garden Vanilla, Rose & Sage Body Crème & Soap and Mint Chocolate Lip & Hand Butter Balm
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 Thank you for your support and interest! Valoree
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