Vanilla as a Medicinal Plant

Abstract

Vanilla has been coveted over the ages for culinary and medicinal reasons alike. Vanilla’s high status in the culinary world comes from a long history of flavoring sweet, sensual desserts such as ice cream, sugar cookies, puff pastries, and butter creams. While vanilla’s history is steeped in culinary traditions, its lesser know uses as an aphrodisiac and a medical botanical stretch back to its discovery in Mesoamerica by ancient cultures who cultivated and honored the sweet orchid. European nations also historically valued vanilla for its flavor, its lore as a love potion, and its medicinal uses. While traditional medical uses of vanilla have faded away, its culinary traditions have changed little. Present day advances in basic science research have shed light on the medical benefits of vanillin, vanilla’s active constituent.