Vanilla Essential Oil: Benefits & How to Use

In the realm of aromatherapy, vanilla essential oil is treasured for its sweet and luxurious scent. But it has much more to offer than just an excellent aroma. Vanilla oil has a great deal of benefits and uses too. This article uncovers all that and more. 

What Is Vanilla Essential Oil?

Vanilla essential oils is a dark-coloured oil with a rich, balsamic, and sweet smell.
It is obtained from vanilla planifolia which belongs to the Orchidaceae family.

Vanilla planifolia is a herbaceous vine and bears lovely white flowers. It can grow up to 80 feet long. The fruits, also known as pods, are picked and dried to make vanilla powder as well. The same pods are put in a solvent to extract the oil.
Vanilla essential oil cannot be extracted through the traditional method of steam distillation. Hence, it is mostly obtained through solvent or carbon dioxide extraction.

Vanilla was earlier cultivated in a handful of regions but now due to the immense demand, one can easily find it in Central America, Mexico, Tahiti, Madagascar, India, Africa, and Indonesia. Interestingly, hummingbirds pollinate the flowers in Mexico.

Vanilla Essential Oil Benefits

Here’s a list of the top 5 benefits of vanilla essential oil:

• Relaxes and calms the mind

There is a natural compound in vanilla oil called vanillin. Research has shown that vanillin has an antidepressant effect on the mind. Its effect can be compared to that of fluoxetine. While it is not used for psychotherapy or medical treatment of depression, anxiety, nervousness etc., inhaling vanillin on an everyday basis can significantly reduce irritability. It works well to improve mood and dullness due to everyday stressors. 

• Induces sleep

The rich and balsamic aroma of vanilla essential oil is considered to act as a natural sedative. It eases the mind and prepares the nervous system to unwind. It can be a great essential oil to add to your night-time diffuser blends.

• Vanilla essential oil for skin

There are many reasons to use vanilla oil in lotions, creams, body washes and other skin care products. It is loaded with antioxidants that help fight free radicals. Various bioactive compounds in it like vanillic acid can show up to 43% of antioxidant activity. This means that it can help fight early signs of ageing and reduce the harsh effects of pollution on the skin. 

It also adds a  balsamic and luxurious fragrance to personal care products. Many aromatherapists and perfumers compare its scent to that of mother’s milk. This could be one of the reasons why vanilla is one of the most globally loved scents in cosmetics.

• Natural aphrodisiac

Most romantic perfumes have some notes of vanilla in them. Vanilla essential oil is associated with sensuality, romance and all things love. Its sweet fragrance is perfect to put you in the mood! It is not new in the world of herbal medicine to recommend vanilla for weak libido and to increase performance. A study done on male rats concluded that vanillin can induce aphrodisiac properties.

• Might help control nausea

Vanilla oil has a positive impact on the nervous system. Traditional and herbal medicine considers its aroma to be effective in reducing the feeling of nausea. Certain experiments done around vanilla ice cream pointed to its capability to reduce vomit-like feeling. Try diffusing a few drops of vanilla oil the next time someone arounds you feel sick.

How To Use Vanilla Essential Oil

It is quite simple to use vanilla essential oil as it easily blends well with most aromatherapy oils. You can try any of the following methods to use it in daily life. 

• Sugar Scrub

You can make an all-natural sugar scrub with just three ingredients. In a bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, and 4-5 drops of pure vanilla essential oil. Mix it properly and use to gently scrub away the dirt buildup. It will also nourish the skin and make it smell phenomenal. 

• Vanilla Essential Oil Perfume

Take a glass or PET roll on bottle. Fill 3/4th of it with almond oil or grapeseed oil. Then, add 5 drops of vanilla oil, 2 drops of rose oil and 1 drop of sandalwood oil. Put the rolling top and the cap tightly. Shake the bottle and you have your natural homemade vanilla perfume ready. 

• Car Freshener

You can mask unwanted odours in your car and make it smell like a million bucks with this simple hack. Take a cotton boll and dip it in vanilla oil. Place it near the AC vent. You can also place more than one ball. Replace it whenever the aroma begins to fade away. This will not just make your car smell great but will also help with motion sickness. 

• Aromatherapy Massage Oil

Elevate your massage experience by using vanilla essential oil in an aromatherapy massage. To make a spa-like blend at home, take an appropriate amount of coconut oil and warm it. In winter, you can replace coconut oil with sesame oil. Then, add 2 drops of pure lavender essential oil, 1 drop of rose oil and 1 drop of vanilla essential oil. 

You can use this blend to self-massage (Abhyanga) or work with a professional masseuse.

Vanilla Essential Oil Blends

The easiest way to include this oil in your life is to use vanilla essential oil for diffusers. The rich and delicate aroma makes it suitable to work with a variety of other oils. 

Vanilla oil blends well with oils like chamomile, cinnamon leaf, cinnamon bark, clove, frankincense, cardamom, benzoin, neroli, rose, jasmine and lemon. 

Here’s a list of 5 simple blends that function as fragrant care for your home. These blend recipes work with all kinds of diffusers and are a great natural way to achieve wellness. 

• The Romantic Bedroom Blend

Nutmeg oil - 1 drop

Ylang ylang oil - 3 drops

Orange oil - 5 drops

Vanilla oil - 2 drops

• The Luxury Bathroom Blend

Bergamot oil - 5 drops

Lemon oil - 10 drops

Lavender oil - 10 drops

Vanilla oil - 5 drops

• The Cozy Winter Blend

Cedarwood oil - 4 drops

Patchouli - 3 drops

Vanilla oil - 2 drops

Ginger oil - 1 drop

Cinnamon oil - 1 drop

Side Effects and Safety Guidelines

It is important to approach essential oils with caution. They are potent and concentrated plant extracts that can have side effects if not used properly. Vanilla oil is no exception, it can irritate sensitive skin. Begin with doing a patch test. 

There is little to no research about the effects of vanilla oil on pregnant and lactating women. Hence, they should avoid using it completely. NAHA advises to not consume essential oils internally and should be used only for topical application. 

If you are allergic to vanilla or have a pre-existing medical condition, you should stay away from this oil as it can worsen the symptoms. Vanilla essential oil side effects are redness, irritation, itching, and swelling. Immediately seek medical attention if you have been exposed.

• Is vanilla essential oil safe for dogs?

Yes, vanilla oil is safe to use around dogs if it is pure oil and doesn’t have alcohol content in it. You can diffuse it in well ventilated spaces and ensure your pet doesn’t consume it. 

• What To Look For When Buying Vanilla Oil?

To check the purity and quality of vanilla oil, look for a dark brown coloured liquid that is thick and dense. 

The aroma should feel naturally sweet and balsamic. Read the label and check for the vanilla percentage in it. Anything above 25% is good. 

Conclusion

Vanilla essential oil is historically appreciated for its wide range of benefits. It reduces nausea, improves sleep, enhances sensual performance and is great for the skin. It is processed by solvent extraction even though it is sold as an essential oil and you can use it in a variety of ways to achieve wellness in your daily routine. From car fresheners to aromatherapy massages, it adds sweetness in all areas.

FAQs

What is the vanilla essential oil good for?

It improves sleep, relaxes the mind, acts as a natural aphrodisiac and reduces the early signs of ageing. 

Is vanilla essential oil safe to breathe?

Yes, it is safe to breathe if you are not allergic to vanilla or have any existing medical conditions. 

Is vanilla essential oil safe for cats?

No, cats lack certain enzymes required to process the aroma and hence it can be toxic and dangerous for them. 

Where to buy vanilla essential oil?

Amazon, Walmart, Aromachology and doTerra are good places to buy pure vanilla essential oil.