When vanilla is being talked about, what usually comes to our minds is the flavor of the ice cream, pastries, milk drink, cookie filling, food ingredient, scent of a perfume and other vanilla recipes. What we do not know about vanilla, specifically the vanilla beans is that it has other benefits that are essential to human health.

Along time ago, the Aztecs used the vanilla bean oil extracts as an aphrodisiac. It has also been proven that they can relieve any erectile dysfunctions, arouse previously shaken off sexual desires and even cure impotency. The aphrodisiac effect of vanilla to a person is mainly because of the stimulation of both the male and the female sexual hormones making both sexes more inclined to a sexual act. Although subtle, it has also been used as a relaxing agent for the senses, nerves and muscles in terms of aroma therapy.

Maybe not all of us are aware of it, but vanilla bean also has a cleansing effect to the body. It rids the body of any toxins that are detrimental to one’s health. It prevents the body’s cells and tissues from dying. The dying process of the cells is called oxidation, wherein the free radicals and the oxidants are burning the tissues causing then to die. By preventing this process, the human body’s immune system is boosted, making you less likely to become sick; vision and hearing organs are not impaired, and mental stability is maintained. In addition to being an antioxidant, another reason why vanilla is beneficial to our health is that it can also act as an anti-cancer agent. Vanilla has certain oils that check the growth of cancer cell.

Vanilla beans extracts also act as an anti-pyrogenic agent, which relieves fever. The febrifuge effect of vanilla is because of its Eugenol and Vanillin Hydroxybenzaldehyde. These two components also act in preventing tissue inflammation. Another thing that’s good about vanilla is that it elates one’s personal behavior. Anyone who is depressed or feels bad about themselves, when offered with any vanilla recipes such as an ice cream or a vanilla drink turns out to feel good about themselves. Even just smelling the rich aroma of vanilla already calms a person, how much more when tasted?

Vanilla also acts as an insect repellent. To us people, vanilla is the sweetest. However, the insects’ sense of smell specifically the mosquitoes, find it quite irritating. So you see? Vanilla is not just used as a food flavoring or perfume, but it is also used in other ways that are beneficial to our health.