The Benefits of Using Vanilla Essential Oil In Aromatherapy

If vanilla sounds familiar, then it is probably because you've used it several times before in the kitchen. But truth is, vanilla and itsessential oils have far more applications outside the kitchen. In fact, it is one of the most powerful aromatherapy oils around that is capable of addressing as many health concerns as more popular types of oils are known for.

To learn further about what makes up vanilla essential oil and how you can utilize its therapeutic properties to full advantage, you can read further below.

Essential oils extracted from vanilla plant is popular name for its varied industrial application. According to research and studies, vanilla contains several useful properties responsible for its wide range of medicinal application such as antidepressant, relaxing, sedative, anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, and febrifuge properties, among others. Thus, vanilla oil helps to regulate basic functions in the body while also reversing symptoms of various conditions.

In order to begin the extraction method, first the resinous substance is taken out of the fermented Vanilla beans. Then, those substances undergo solvent extraction method to release the essential oils found in the resins of the beans. Although you can basically find this botanical plant grown widely in various parts of the world today, Vanilla originates in Mexico and its neighboring areas. However, make sure that the botanical source is Vanilla Planifolia, instead of some other species to ensure that the therapeutic quality is evident in the produced essential oil.

Before moving onto the medicinal use of vanilla oil, it is important to look into its more popular use in industrial production – cosmetics. If you examine the labels of your fragrances, soaps or lotion at home, then you will most likely encounter vanilla as one of the main ingredients. The reason for this is obvious – vanilla creates a delicate and fragile aroma that creates that “feel good” and uplifting sensation.

When used as a massage oil, vanilla essential oil do not simply offer a relaxing benefit but can also promote healthier and more beautiful skin. Another reason for this is that the aroma coming from vanilla essential oil creates balance when blended with some other scents.

The medicinal properties found in vanilla essential oil are what makes healing possible. Those properties create a corresponding effect on the body and its vital organs to bring about healing or restore normal function. Below are some of the notable properties found in vanilla essential oil that makes it useful in curing a variety of ailments or health conditions.

Antidepressant

The scent coming from vanilla is so distinct yet refreshing. In fact, it is one of the reasons why it is popularly used in culinary applications because of the richness in flavor and aroma that it introduces into the dish. The scent is so pleasing and relaxing that it eases your mind and reduce any feelings of stress.

When you start to feel depressed or overcome with anxiety, simply inhale or sniff into vanilla essential oil. When the aroma and the antidepressant properties start to enter into your bloodstream, it will immediately relieve yourself of any symptoms of depression. After some time, you will start to notice your mood improve and regain confidence again. This particular property of vanilla makes it ideal in combating all levels of stress and depression, regardless of one's age.

Only few people are aware that vanilla is also another powerful natural antioxidant. This particular property is one of the most important that your body needs to ensure proper function and healthy overall well being. The main role that antioxidants play is to eliminate free radicals or harmful toxins that build up inside your body, as a result of wrong dietary choices and unhealthy lifestyle patterns. Over time, these toxins accumulate until they start to affect normal body functions and causing you to acquire various ailments out of this. In some cases, your immune system is affected and therefore reduces your body's ability to fight off common causes of diseases.

Vanilla essential oil therefore introduces natural antioxidants into your body that will neutralize activity of free radicals and totally eliminate them. The process of internal cleansing is helpful in reducing damage to your cells and living tissues. With the help of antioxidants, you can also enhance your body's ability to repair itself and improve your immunity against certain diseases.

This property of vanilla essential oil is basically useful in maintaining balance all throughout your body systems. Hence, it is also useful in terms of regulating proper function across all organ systems including circulatory, nervous, respiratory, digestive, and excretory system. With the sedative effect, you reduce hyperactivity and combat inflammation that could harm your body in the long run.

More Useful Properties of Vanilla Essential Oil

To learn more about some other useful properties found in vanilla essential oil, they are listed and discussed briefly below:

*Relaxing – The use of vanilla essential oil in aromatherapy helps to calm your nerve and brain cells. It is therefore an ideal choice for aromatherapy treatment on chronic stress, insomnia, anxiety, chronic fatigue, and restlessness.
*Anticarcinogenic – This is an important property, along with antioxidants, to get rid of harmful toxins that have accumulated inside the body. With this property, you can therefore fix cells and tissue damage to boost your immunity system and help fight common types of cancer.
*Febrifuge – This particular property of vanilla oil makes it effective in combating infection that could lead to the manifestation of fever symptoms.
*Aphrodisiac – Vanilla essential oil can also be used to address a wide range of sexual health problems such as loss of libido, impotency, erectile dysfunction, and frigidity.

Your choice of aromatherapy application must also be given much thought, such that you can maximize the therapeutic qualities of vanilla essential oil. Below are some of the most common applications that you can make use of:

*Bath – The antidepressant and relaxing properties of vanilla essential oil offers a relaxing bath experience for people suffering from stress, fatigue, or anxiety. Simply add a few drops into your bathwater and toss in some ingredients such as cocoa butter, citric acid, baking soda, and cornstarch for a calming bath oil mixture. Soak your body into the aromatherapy bath for 10 to 15 minutes to experience utmost results.
*Diffusion – You can add a few drops of vanilla oil into an essential oil diffuser or aromatherapy candle to allow the essences to be dispersed all throughout your room. This will enable you to inhale the scent coming from the oil for a nourishing and uplifting effect.