Vanilla: How It Benefits Our Health

Vanilla is more than just a food flavoring and aroma to a number of perfumes. Aside from enhancing the taste and aroma of sweet treats, pure vanilla extract has more to offer in terms of health benefits.

Helps Promote Healthy Skin

Being a rich source of B-vitamins like niacin, thiamin, Vitamin B6, and pantothenic acid, the use of vanilla may protect our skin from environmental pollutants and toxins.

Simply prepare a scrub by slicing open 5 vanilla beans to scrape out its seeds and then add them to a freshly squeezed lemon, along with 3 tablespoons brown sugar and 2 drops vanilla essential oil. Mix the ingredients and apply it on the skin. Massage for a few minutes and then rinse off with warm water.

Helps Relieve Nausea

Vanilla extract can help calm the stomach in case of a feeling of nausea. Its scent works wonders in relieving the feeling of nausea. Simply add a few drops of vanilla extract to a glass of water and sip it slowly.

Helps Ease Respiratory Conditions

Vanilla can help us battle with a cough, cold, or respiratory infection. The use of vanilla extract with a little warm water can help to coat the throat and provide an anesthetic effect. Meanwhile, its antibacterial properties work by reducing inflammation and irritation.

Cancer Prevention

Vanillin, one of the most prominent and studied components of vanilla, has been shown to be a powerful scavenger of free radicals. These free radicals can cause damage to cells and are thought to play a role in the development of cancer as well as other health problems notes the National Cancer Institute.

Magnesium And Potassium Content

These two minerals are important to our health. Vanilla extract contains some of them. Potassium is needed for proper kidney and heart function as well as muscle contraction and nerve function. Likewise, magnesium also contributes to muscle and nerve function and blood pressure regulation.

Dental Health

Vanillin in vanilla works similar to eugenols in cinnamon and capsaicin in chili peppers. This important component has been found to provide positive effects on the central nervous system. Eugenol acts as a topical anesthetic while capsaicin is an effective pain reliever. Both of these properties are present in vanilla thereby making it an effective agent in fighting toothache and infection.

Helps Reduce Acne

Vanillas has antibacterial properties that can help fight breakouts and if used regularly, reduce scars as well as brighten the complexion.