BEST FOR BLEMISHED SKIN

INGREDIENT FEATURES

balsamic

USER BENEFITS

soothing

active

fragrance

ABOUT THE PLANT

A native species to Mexico and Central America, Vanila planifolia is most commonly known as 'Bourbon', Mexican, and Reunion Vanilla. This perennial climbing vine of the Orchid family can reach up to 25 meters in height and produces white, trumpeted flowers which last only a day and must be pollinated manually if fruit is desired (and only during the morning). The resulting green fruit pods (mistakenly called beans) are typically cultivated in Madagascar and Mexico then shipped to Europe or the United States for curing. Curing the pods entails fermentation and drying; it is this process that enables the fragrance to emerge.

Orchids are considered the most highly evolved flowers, and this is the only one with an edible fruit. When first transplanted in Reunion, vanilla didn’t produce pods because the hummingbirds and bees that pollinate it didn’t live there. A hand-pollination method developed in 1841 is still used today.

ABOUT THE OIL

Resinoid, absolute, oleoresin, and CO2 extract. Vanilla is typically found in two forms: an absolute or CO2 extract. Vanilla essential oil is typically found as an 'absolute' or solvent extracted oleoresin (all oleoresins are solvent extracts), whereas the less common CO2 distillation is a natural product free of solvents. The best have a high vanillin content–the component that gives Vanilla its great unique scent.

OF INTEREST

Vanilla essential oil has been traditionally used as a flavoring agent, an aphrodisiac, and to balance the emotions.

soothing

warming

Subtle Aromatherapy

Soothing and harmonizing to the fire element in us.

Stabilizes emotions.

Consoles when sadness or grief seems overpowering.

improves confidence

helps dissolve pent-up anger and frustration

consoles

can unleash hidden, often subconscious, sensuality

USES

calms the nervous system

consoles

dissolves pent-up anger and frustration

lessens anxiety

improves confidence

improves mood

reduces stress

sensual

uplifts

Added in small amounts to 'round out' aromas, Vanilla brings a balance and smoothness to natural perfumes and aromatic creations.

AROMA NOTES

MIDDLE-BASE NOTE

BASE NOTE

Richly sweet

Creamy balsamic

Slightly spicy

Classic ‘vanilla bean’ aroma

Aromatherapy, A Complete Guide to the Healing Art by Kathi Keville and Miny Green

Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit, Restoring Emotional and Mental Balance with Essential Oils by Gabriel Mojay

Essential Oil Safety, Second edition by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young

Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin by Steffen Arctander

The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy Second Edition by Salvatore Battaglia

The Fragrant Heavens, the Spiritual Dimension of Fragrance and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, The Complete Guide to the Use of Oils in Aromatherapy and Herbalism