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Vanilla

Useful properties and applications of vanilla


Vanilla is a curly vine belonging to the Orchid family. Fragrant vine is parasitic on tall trees, clinging to the trunk of a tree with my roots and climbing to the top of the tree to the crown. The leaves of the plant are oval, fleshy and lanceolate. Nice smelling vanilla flowers are collected in a brush. The size of flowers rather large, the flowers have a light green colour.

The perianth consists of 5 leaves, and the sixth piece forms a lip and is rolled into a tube. The tube enters into stamen and pistil, that is why pollinating vanilla is only one kind of butterfly.

The vanilla – box in the form of the pod is brown with a length of about 25-30 cm and a width of not more than 1 cm In fruit there are many seeds whose color varies from dark-brown to black.

There are varieties with a plaque of white crystals. Vanilla may fruit from 20 to 50 years.

In the world there are almost 100 species of vanilla. However, the most common are only three types:

1. Vanilla planifolia. This kind of vanilla gives only a few high-quality cultivars of vanilla boxes which are very long (20-25 cm);

2. Vanilla tahitensis – it is called Thai vanilla. This plant is reddish-brown in color, with pods of 12-14 cm

3. Vanilla pompona is the low-quality vanilla, the box plants are very short.

Vine grows very fast, it can grow a meter in just 30 days. However, it is necessary to create good conditions.

The birthplace of vanilla are Mexico, Panama and the Antilles. But the cultivation of plants engaged in other tropical countries: Brazil, Oceania, Paraguay, Ecuador and others.

Vanilla is propagated only by cuttings. Already in the first year the plant begins to bear fruit. The fruiting period lasts up to 20 years, and there were times when the vanilla crop yielded an age of about 50 years.


Vanilla beans

The fruit of vanilla is boxes green color. To collect the fruits of vanilla need in the immature form (during this period the fruit contains 80 % water) when they begin to turn yellow. Next, after collecting the need to implement special processing of the fruit, which is produced in 3 stages. Let us consider these stages.

Stage 1 – maturation. Vanilla beans should be put in boiling water, after pulling them out of the boiling water to wrap the fruit in a woolen towel. Since the fruit is left for a day in a warm place where the temperature is 60 degrees Celsius.

Stage 2 – fermentation. First you need to make fruits to fresh air in a Sunny place.An hour later you need to bring them back to the room. Every day you should increase the time that the fruit will be in the sun. Drying so they should be two weeks.

Stage 3 – drying. This step must be performed in a dark place outdoors throughout the month. At this stage the fruit will appear white coating from the crystals. You can also feel the sweet, subtle and refreshing scent of vanilla.

After passing all three phases the volume of vanilla to be smaller than the original 2/3. However, after processing the raw material will gain all the desired properties.

Vanilla sticks on the kind of twisted and oily, the color of their brown. If you touch the sticks, they are soft. If the vanilla is properly stored, it will remain for many years.


Chemical composition of vanilla

The vanilla contains the following beneficial substances: vanillin (so vanilla odor), essential oil, gluco-vanillin, tannins and cinnamic esters.

Useful properties of vanilla

Vanilla is a plant, preparations of which is used as an essential oil flavouring agent. In vanilla contains vanillin, aromaceane, fat, resins and enzymes are the main active ingredients. Vanilla is added in the production of herbal medicines, in the manufacture of medicines as a flavoring.

Since ancient times, vanilla, considered a powerful aphrodisiac, why it is and used men wishing to increase the potency.

Vanilla has an impact on system and internal organs, namely, relieves insomnia, improves digestion, normalizes the blood sugar levels, stabilizes the acidity, relieve the pain of premenstrual syndrome, improves mood and human performance.


Essential oil of vanilla

Essential oil of vanilla is surprisingly nice flavor. This oil is a natural and strong aphrodisiac, which contributes to the awakening in man of sensuality and instinct. In addition, the essential oil of this fragrant plant has a sedative effect. Experts advise to apply it after a hard day: it will relax and soothe.

Oil of vanilla is used for flavoring premises. To aromatize the room with vanilla, you should sprinkle a few drops to a diffuser and a pleasant scent will be hovering in the air (15 square meters – 3-5 drops of oil).

The essential oil is used for massages and baths. In the bath you need to add 2-5 dropsvanilla oil can take kamawanu. Massage is done in the following way: mix 3-5 drops with 15 grams of regular massage oils to produce the massage exercise.


The use of vanilla

Vanilla is used in nervous disorders, neurosis, insomnia, delayed menstruation, diabetes, colic and flatulence. Vanilla is especially valuable as a means for the treatment of anemia and medication that not only excites, but also stimulates the muscles.

In folk medicine, vanilla is used for rubbing, as a means to compresses, skin care, aromatherapy and Aromasin.

Vanilla, as an additive: plant is added to food for the complete saturation of the body (1-2 drops of the product, for example, in cake).

Anti-cellulite scrub of vanilla. For its preparation it is necessary to take 150 grams of sugar, a half Cup of ground coffee beans, 10 drops vanilla oil 10 ml almond oil. First mix coffee with sugar, after add the almond oil and stir. Next, add the vanilla oil. In case you obtain a thick mixture add a little almond oil. This scrub should be used in the washing process, after the skin will become softer and elastic. This scrub can be stored in the refrigerator, but not more than 14 days. Scrub should not be used if there is damage to the skin or the skin is too delicate.

Vanilla for facial massage. Take 30 ml of carrier oil, add to it 3 drops vanilla, 1 drop of oil of rose and sandalwood, 2 drops of oil limetta, and the same of parsley. All mix and make with this oil massage.


Contraindications to the use of vanilla

Contraindications to the use of vanilla is not revealed, the only thing that could be is allergies in case you are hypersensitive to vanilla.