The orchids of the genus vanilla is used to produce vanilla flavouring. The vine consists of long, dark brown stringy pods from which vanilla beans are extracted.
Vanilla is the second most expensive spice after saffron due to the amount of labour involved in producing it.
Despite this, it’s highly valued for use in cooking, baking, aromatherapy and perfume manufacturing because of its amazing flavour.
This article will be looking into the benefits of vanilla oil, how to use vanilla oil for hair and body and how to DIY vanilla oil. A later article will go into vanilla oil blends.
What is Vanilla Oil?
Vanilla originated from Mexico but is also widely produced in Madagascar and Indonesia. Like jasmine oil, the oil from vanilla isn’t really an oil but an absolute.
The usual process for extracting essential oil is via steam distillation or mechanical pressing; both of these processes will not work with vanilla beans.
The most common and best forms of vanilla “oil” available on the market is vanilla extract or vanilla absolute.
Vanilla extract is made by soaking chopped beans in alcohol for several months to extract the flavour while vanilla absolute is made by solvent extraction via various methods.
The best method is with alcohol or carbon dioxide extraction. Organic vanilla can also be stepped in a carrier oil for several weeks to produce an excellent aromatic oil.
You can make this oil yourself at home. I have shared a recipe for DIY vanilla oil below.
What Are the Benefits of Vanilla Oil?
1. Vanilla Oil Contains Antioxidant Properties
Vanilla oil contains excellent antioxidant properties, which is useful for treating ageing skin, healing damaged skin and smoothing out wrinkles.
2. Vanilla Oil Contains Anti-inflammatory Properties
Pure vanilla extract has anti-inflammatory properties, which helps reduce stress on the body and assist internal functions to work more effectively.
Vanilla oil can help lower blood pressure by providing a relaxing effect on the body and senses. With relaxed senses, you’re able to sleep better.
3. Vanilla Oil Relieves PMS Symptoms
Vanilla oil can help relieve the symptoms of PMS. Over 75% of women around the world experience PMS with symptoms.
Some of these symptoms include fatigue, bloating, breakouts and painful cramps. Vanilla oil has a sedative effect on the body and helps the body relax.
7 Ways to Use Vanilla Oil for Hair & Body
1. Diffusing
Add a few drops of vanilla oil to a diffuser or humidifier in the living room or bedroom. I will share some vanilla oil blends in a later article.
2. Relieving PMS Symptoms
To relieve PMS symptoms, massage a few drops of vanilla oil onto your stomach and chest, and try to relax your body.
3. Bathing
Add a few drops of vanilla oil to a bath taken before bed. Immerse yourself in it to relax senses and get a better night’s sleep.
4. Hair Spray
For the hair, add a few drops of vanilla oil to your favourite deep conditioner, leave-in conditioner or refreshing hair spray.
5. Body and Face Cream
For the skin, add a few drops of vanilla oil to your body butter or facial cream. When using in a facial cream, add 1 – 2 drops to start with to see how your skin will react.
Make sure the vanilla oil you use for this recipe is the type suitable for use on the face.
6. Face Wash
Add a few drops of vanilla oil to your daily face wash. Best used in the morning.
7. Perfume Spray
Mix 5 – 10 drops of vanilla oil with distilled water and pour into a spray bottle. Shake and use to refresh sheets and carpets.
InnoGear Diffuser
VicTsing Essential Oil Diffuser
How to DIY Vanilla Oil
Ingredients
- Carrier oil like grapeseed oil, apricot oil, jojoba oil or sweet almond oil
- A few pieces of vanilla beans. Madagascar vanilla beans are best
- A piece of cheesecloth
- 8 oz jar like this one
Spice Bay Foods Madagascar Vanilla Beans
Directions
- Fill up the jar with your carrier oil of choice.
- Split open the vanilla beans carefully and scrape out the seeds.
- Pour the seeds into the carrier oil then close the jar and let sit for up to 4 weeks.
- Afterwards, filter through the cheesecloth and discard the beans. You can also leave the beans in the oil as long as they’re immersed completely and keep the container tightly sealed at all times. Use as you like.
Best Vanilla Oil
It costs around $100 to produce an ounce of vanilla absolute or CO2 extracted vanilla. Authentic vanilla extract or vanilla absolute is not cheap.
Be wary of any bargain offers for this product. There are a few brands recommended below:-
Leave a Reply