Vanilla is a spice obtained from the flavoured pods of an edible orchid species of the vanilla family (a prized and quite expensive spice of great culinary value).
• When choosing quality vanilla, one must look for pods over 14-15 cm long that show no bruising or blemishes.
• Its a flowering vine that can reach impressive heights of around 3 meters. Since it is a member of the orchid family, its flowers are beautiful, creamy-white, yellowish orchids.
Plant Description
History
Mechanism of Action
Additional Information
Key Actions
• Vanilla is:
• Flavouring agent
• Glucovanillic alcohol – (hydrolysis) -> Glucose + Vanillic Alcohol – (Oxidation) -> VanillinVanilla Essential Oil
Vanilla oil is extracted from Vanilla Beans (Vanilla planifolia) with the use of a solvent.
Properties:
• Anti-oxidant,
• Aphrodisiac,
• Anti-carcinogenic,
• Febrifuge,
• Anti-depressant,
• Sedative,
• Tranquilizing,
• Relaxing,Health Benefits:
• Neutralizes effects of free radicals & oxidants and repairs damages due to oxidation,
• Enhances libido & promotes arousal,
• Inhibits growth of Cancerous cells,
• Reduces Fever,
• Fights Depression & uplifts mood,
• Sedates inflammation & nervous afflictions,
• Promotes sleep,
• Gives relief from Anxiety & Stress,
Usable Parts
vanilla beans
Collection
• Fruit is collected when it is ripen to a yellow colour.
• It is cured by dipping in warm Water.
• Fruit is sun dried by placing it between woolen blankets in the sun during day and packing them in woolen blankets during night.
• After 2 months, 70-80% of original weight of fruit is lost and it takes a characteristic odour and colour of vanilla (i.e Colour – violet black, odour – Aromatic).
Directions of Preparation
Recommended Dosage
Its Active Constituents:
• Vanilla pods and seeds contain:
• It s very good in Energy.
• It has average trace of Carbohydrate, Potassium, Manganese, Vitamin B2.
• almost 200 hundred aromatic compounds (such as vanillin, caproic acid, vanillic acid, eugenol and many other Phenolic Acids),
• Natural Alcohols,
• Lactones and other esters.
• It extracts are obtained by extracting the flavour from the pods using pure alcohol, however, it is possible to make non-alcoholic vanilla extracts.
• Before curing – It contains two (2) Glycosides (Glucovanillin and Glucovanillic acid).
• After curing – Its active principle is obtained (Vanillin).
Note:
* The pricey spice (vanilla) is a touch of class on a gourmet dessert, whereas the great majority of us sample a mere synthetic extract meant to give ordinary, day to day desserts an exquisite taste.
* Its pods are quite expensive and the real thing so you will find them mostly in gourmet dishes in fancy restaurants.
* It has a relatively poor nutritional profile, but compensates for this with an excellent aromatic profile.
* It flowers are trumpet-shaped and flower for only one day (or several hours).
* Manual pollination must occur while the flower is open and it results in an incredibly aromatic pod fruit, containing vanilla seeds.
* When ripe, its pods are dark-brown, almost black in colour and split slightly at the ends.
• Vanilla planifolia (the most fragrant and most widely cultivated form).
Health Benefits of Vanilla
Cardiovascular System
• Its average Potassium content can help maintain a healthy heart, ensures body fluid balance and regulates blood pressure.
• Potassium balances or lowers Sodium levels, counteracting the harmful effects of excessive Sodium consumption and helps lower High Blood Pressure at the same time.
• Dietary Potassium is a key component of healthy blood pressure and significantly lower blood pressure in both Hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients.
Foods & Cardiovascular System
Circulatory System
• Its average Potassium content supports blood circulation, can help relax both the nerves and muscles, and nerve cell activity.
Foods & Circulatory System
Digestive System
• Its average Manganese content can help activates special enzymes necessary for proper digestion and synthesis of Carbohydrates, fatty acids and Cholesterol.
Foods & Digestive System
Energy
• Its average Manganese content efficiently contributes/aids in converting Proteins and fats to Energy, thus combating tiredness, low blood sugar levels and mood swings by ensuring there is an elevated Energy levels, while its average Vitamin B2 content can also help in playing a role in the production of Energy (Energy Metabolism) by enabling the body to make better use of nutrients (such as fats, Proteins and Carbohydrates).
Foods & Energy
Immune System
• Its two important Mineralscontent (Copper and Manganese) detoxify cells by means of superoxide dismutase (an enzyme which uses trace Minerals such as Copper, Iron and Manganese to form and prevents cells from being damaged by dangerous oxygen molecules), while its average Vitamin B2 content can also help in sustaining the functions performed by all the other B-group Vitamins.
Foods & Immune System
Musculoskeletal System
• Vanilla average Potassium content helps relax both the nerves and muscles, basically ensures nervous impulses are sent to heart at proper intervals, resulting in controlled, rhythmic contractions of the organ and as an electrolyte, ensures the body has enough Water in and out of cells to conduct electrical impulses to neurons and muscles, resulting into the good functioning of both nerve cells and muscles, while its average Vitamin B2 content can also help in normal growth, cellular repair and quick Wound healing.
Foods & Musculoskeletal System
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of Vanilla
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)
(per 100g) of
Vanilla Extract
