Vanilla essential oil: properties, uses, tips for face and body care and aromatherapy. Where to find it and how to use it.
Vanilla essential oil is extracted from the Vanilla planifolia species, native to Central America and the West Indies. Vanilla planifolia grows well in a warm and humid, typically tropical climate. Vanilla essential oil is mainly produced from the vanilla crops of Mexico and Madagascar.
Vanilla essential oil is extracted from the fruits that grow on the most mature plants, at least 3 meters in height. The fruits are long pods (about 23 cm) which ripen within 5 months. Vanilla extract, as well as vanilla essential oils are produced from the pods of the plant.
The main chemical constituents of vanilla essential oils are the so-called vanillin, vanillic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde.
The properties of vanilla essential oil
Vanilla essential oil can be used in the food sector but also in the cosmetic and perfumery sector. For natural DIY cosmetics, vanilla oil can be used for hair care.
To make hair soft and silky
Vanilla essential oil brightens the hair in a natural way making it softer, silky and shiny. It helps to detangle even the most neglected and frizzy hair. In the home, it is possible to prepare a do-it-yourself conditioner by mixing different ingredients such as:
- 30 ml avocado oil
- 1 drop of rosemary essential oil
- 1 drop of lavender essential oil
- 7 drops of vanilla essential oil
The application is simple: dry hair must be massaged with this ointment, paying particular attention to the tips, leave on for 15 minutes and then proceed with a normal neutral shampoo.
In aromatherapy
This essential oil has important properties in the field of aromatherapy. Its beneficial effects can be exploited through diffusion in the environment or thanks to massages. Among the most popular properties, we point out the anxiolytic, calming, anti-stress properties… Vanilla essential oil is suitable for perfuming domestic environments dedicated to relaxation.
As a natural aphrodisiac
A few drops of vanilla essential oil can be added to bedroom linens to take advantage of its aphrodisiac properties.
For a sensual massage, you can add 10 showers of vanilla essential oil to two tablespoons of almond oil. Alternatively, you can prepare a couple bath by adding 20 drops of vanilla essential oil to the bath water. To emulsify, you will need to add the essential oil at the same time as a handful of coarse salt (wet the coarse salt with the essential oil and dissolve it in the bath water).
As an anti-wrinkle
In natural cosmetics, vanilla essential oil can be used for the preparation of DIY wrinkle creams.
Add 7 drops of vanilla essential oil to a neutral base of 100 grams of face cream. Alternatively, you can prepare a do-it-yourself anti-wrinkle cream by combining 25 ml of Argan Oil with 10 drops of vanilla essential oil. Apply to the face staying away from the eyes.
Where to buy vanilla essential oil
Based on the extraction process, it is possible to find vanilla essential oil in different concentrations on the market. In herbal medicine it is not easy to find 100% pure vanilla essential oil because usually, for an economic reason, herbalists offer vanilla essential oil already diluted in another vegetable oil. Very common is vanilla essential oil diluted in jojoba oil, this combination can be useful if you want to use vanilla essential oil to make relaxing massages or to prepare DIY anti-wrinkle creams.
