Vanilla Essential Oil -Some Myths and Facts

Vanilla essential oil has a variety of uses, predominantly as a flavoring and as a perfume in cosmetics, body lotions and balms. Unlike many other essential oils, vanilla is not usually used in aromatherapy as it's scent is too delicate. It is used in many oriental perfumes because of it's reputed aphrodisiac properties. The species which is mainly cultivated in order to harvest vanilla is Vanilla planifolia which is native to Mexico and is currently grown all through the tropics. The plant is an orchid and a climbing plant.

The history of the vanilla plant is filled with myths! Many years ago vanilla was cultivated by the Totonac peoples who lived on the Gulf Coast of Mexico. The legend says that the princess Xanat, who's life was dedicated to Tonoacayohua, goddess of the crops, ran to the jungle with her lover when they were forbidden to marry by her father. Xanat and her lover were found and beheaded. Where their blood fell on the ground the first vanilla orchid grew. The Aztecs discovered vanilla after conquering the Totonac people in the 15th century. In the 16th century, with the arrival of the Spanish and the Portuguese the vanilla plant spread to the Old World. It was named vanilla from the word for little pod.

Vanilla Extraction

Time consuming methods have to used to produce the vanilla plant which makes it very expensive. Vanilla essential oil is extracted from the vanilla fruit when it is green. The fruit is dried and then fermented, which produces the familiar brown vanilla pod. Vanilla oil is then obtained by a method called enfleurage which uses the oils are absorbed by fats then extracted using alcohol. The alcohol is then removed by distillation to produce the vanilla essential oil.

Uses of Vanilla Essential Oil

Vanilla essential oil may be used in lip balms, body lotions and massage oils. It is not often used for soap due to the fragile character of the vanilla fragrance. It is often used along with other types of essential oils to enhance and compliment their aromas.

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