Vanilla Plant: Beyond Flavor, Discover its Extraordinary Health Benefits

The Mexican Aztecs have known vanilla benefits for many ages. They used it as a fragrance (flavoring) for their favorite drink, made with cocoa grains and corn flour. The Spanish carried it to Europe in the late 16^th century, but the plant did not take root. In 1836, a Belgian botanist found that an insect in Mexico could only pollinate the vanilla tree. Anywhere else, it needed artificial pollination.

Scientific Facts

1. Scientific Name: Vanilla plantifolia Andrews.
2. Scientific Synonyms: Vanilla fragans (Salisb.) Ames.
3. French: Vanillier.
4. Spanish: Vanilla.
5. Environment: Native to Mexico, it has been spread to other tropical regions in America (Columbia, Venezuela, the West Indies), Africa (Madagascar), and Asia.
6. Description: Climbing plant of the Orchidaceae family, whose stems may grow up to thirty m long. It has aerial roots that stick to the tree and serve as support. It has fleshy leaves and large (15 cm) blackish-ochre pods with many seeds.
7. Parts of the plant used medicinally: The green pods.

Health Benefits

The active principle of vanilla is vanillosid, a glycoside that becomes vanillin during drying, giving it its typical aroma. It has stomachic, digestive, choleretic (increases bile secretion), mildly stimulating, and, according to some people, aphrodisiac properties. Although its present use is only seasoning, it is worth remembering its invigorating benefits to digestive functions.

How to use Vanilla

1. The plant is used as sugar, syrup, or tincture.
2. However, the most usual method to obtain its authentic aroma is by boiling its pods with the substance you want to flavor: chocolate, infusions, desserts, etc.

It gives sweet desserts and infusions a pleasant flavor besides invigorating the digestive function.

DISCLAIMER: All content on this website is presented solely for educational and informational objectives. Do not rely on the information provided as a replacement for advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified medical expert. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any preexisting medical concerns, talk to your doctor before using any herbal or natural medicines.

REFERENCES

1. George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. Vols. 1 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 376. Print. [vanilla benefits]
2. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vanilla-extract-benefits
3. https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-vanilla
4. https://www.vanillabeankings.com/blogs/recipes/proven-nutritional-and-holistic-benefits-of-vanilla