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Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils for its psychological and physical benefits. Perhaps one of the most popular scents in aromatherapy is vanilla oil. With its warm, sweet scent that calms the nerves and soothes the mind, vanilla essential oil has a variety of uses and health benefits. And just by adding several drops of vanilla oil on your diffuser or directly on your pillows, you can take advantage of these amazing benefits!
What Is Vanilla Essential Oil?
Vanilla essential oil is derived from vanilla planifolia which belongs to the Orchidaceae family. Vanilla is a large, climbing vine with yellowish-green flowers. Vanilla is cultivated for its fruits that when dried down turns to brown-colored pods. The pods are harvested to extract its aromatic seeds.
Extracting vanilla oil is a labor-intensive process. That’s why it’s one of the most expensive spices in the world. When extracted, vanilla oil could be used in baking, cooking, as ingredients in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products, and in aroma therapy.
Benefits of Vanilla Essential Oil
Prevents Sexual Problems
From increasing the libido, treating erectile dysfunction in men, or frigidity, a little vanilla extract used in aromatherapy could help prevent and improve sexual satisfaction. The oil in vanilla extracts stimulates the secretion of testosterone in men and estrogen in women. These hormones contribute to better sexual drive and stimulate sexual arousal.
Cuts the Risk of Cancer
Vanilla essential oil contains antioxidants that prevent cancer by protecting the body from oxidative damage. Free radicals from the environment cause damage to tissues, causing cell mutation that leads to cancerous cells. By preventing free radicals from damaging the cells, vanilla extracts cut the risk and/or slow down the spreading of cancerous cells in the body.
Prevents Infections
Vanilla essential oil contains two compounds that help the body fight infection. These compounds are eugenol and vanillin hydroxybenzaldehyde. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, vanilla oil reduces symptoms associated with infection, like chills or fever, as well as boosts the body’s natural ability to heal itself.
Uplifts the Spirit
Whether you’re feeling depressed or you just want to uplift your mood, vanilla scent always cheers the spirit! Vanilla essential oil’s powerful aroma stimulates the brain to release happy hormones. Combined with its active compound, vanillin hydroxybenzaldehydem, these bioactive help prevent depression, calm the mind, and boost the feeling of satisfaction.
Achieve Better Sleep
Just like chamomile tea, vanilla essential oil helps you achieve a deeper, more satisfying night’s sleep. Apart from its ability to prevent infection and hyperactivity in the systems, vanilla essential oil helps prevent anxiety, stress, and even hypersensitivity to allergens. What’s more, sniffing vanilla extracts may also help prevent sleep apnea in premature babies. Vanilla oil’s sedative and calming abilities are so powerful that it lowers blood pressure and makes anyone drowsy within minutes.
Improves Respiratory Ailments
Whether you suffer from respiratory problems or you just want to ease your breathing, adding drops of vanilla oil on your pillow helps ease breathing problems. The aroma of vanilla essential oil affects the respiratory centers of the brain, preventing stress on the lungs and allowing air to pass through the lungs efficiently.
