8 Surprising Health Benefits of Vanilla
By Lizzie Ball
In the early 1990s, perfume makers began to introduce vanilla as a significant note in their fragrances. Now, vanilla is a widely used ingredient in a great number of perfumes, largely due to its ‘happy’ scent which is so easily associated with pleasant memories of sweet treats and ice-cream holidays.
Vanilla is not just a ‘feel good’ scent though. Its incredible capacity to expedite healing, improve acne and promote hair growth means that it is a great multi-tasking tool to have in your natural health armoury.
Here’s 8 Surprising Health Benefits of Vanilla:
- It’s good for your heart – research has shown that vanilla can reduce cholesterol levels. This is very important for those who are at high risk of heart attacks and strokes, with lower cholesterol helping to prevent inflammation of the arteries and blood clots.
- It has healing properties – vanilla is rich in antioxidants, which can help prevent the breakdown of cells and tissues in the body and stimulate the body’s natural regrowth. Due to its antibacterial nature, it also serves to boost your immune system and lower stress on the body, making it much easier to recover from injury or illness.
- It’s great for your hair – If you suffer with split-ends or hair loss, vanilla used as an essential oil can strengthen the hair and induce blood flow to the scalp promoting hair growth.
- It can help with anxiety – the strong aroma of vanilla is known to have a direct impact on the nerves that induce calm and relieve stress, particularly when used as part of an aromatherapy treatment.
