Vanilla has a long history of diverse usage, both culinary and medicinal. Its medicinal benefits and applications are based on the chemical properties of vanillin and vanillic acid, vanilla’s active ingredients. Although the medicinal uses have faded into history, recent research has brought them back to the light. The intense aromatic flavor is what vanilla is known for, but its medicinal properties have some surprising potential applications.
Vanilla is the world’s most popular flavor and the second most expensive botanical after saffron. Vanilla is extracted from the Vanilla planifolia orchid pods and comprises over 200 compounds, but its characteristic flavor and fragrance primarily come from vanillin.
