Vanilla: benefit and harm

Vanilla is a pod of dark brown color, impregnated with essential oil.It is known for its high price - it is one of the most expensive spices in the world, the price of which reaches 8400 rubles.Per kg.This is due to the fact that vanilla is complex in cultivation - with artificial pollination, necessary to increase productivity, only half of the plants produce fruits.In addition to spicy vanilla, more than a hundred decorative plant species are grown.

To reduce the cost of trying to develop a synthetic vanillin - an artificial analogue of crystalline vanillin, contained in the fruits of the plant and giving vanilla its taste and aroma. Synthetic vanillin is made from resin and only taste with a smell and transfers - it does not have any useful qualities peculiar to this vanilla, as it is impossible to synthesize a unique set of oils and other biological substances for this spice.

Interesting! In expensive perfume and cosmetics samples, vanilla is used as a natural flavoring component.

Composition and caloric content

Useful properties of vanilla, like its aroma, are provided with a rich content of essential and tannic oils. The main flavor is vanillin, aldehyde, obtained during the breakdown of glycoside glycoside.The set is supplemented with various resins, anisic acid and anisic aldehyde.

Vanilla is rich in Group B vitamins:

• thiamine;
• riboflavin;
• pantothenic acid;
• pyridoxine;
• nicotinic acid.

The use of spices is also due to a complete set of macroelements and some trace elements( zinc, copper, manganese).

Caloric value - 287 kcal per 100 g of seasoning.

Useful properties

Because of its high cost, vanilla is rarely used in folk recipes;However, it helps to fight a variety of diseases:

• dyspepsia;
• rheumatism;
• convulsions;
• with fever;
• by chlorosis;
• Mental Disorders;
• psychoemotional disorders - drowsiness, irritability, nervous overstrain.

The ability of vanilla to positively affect the digestive system is known.Essential oils in its composition, improve appetite.Other components stimulate smooth muscle activity, improving intestinal motility. Vanilla can treat inflammation of the digestive tract, colitis, colic, rectum disease.

The fruits of the plant include various antioxidants that neutralize free radicals in the body, preventing the destruction of cell membranes and the development of certain forms of cancer.

Most often vanilla is used in aromatherapy and cosmetology.Its pleasant smell can quickly relax, relieve stress and irritation of .The use of vanilla oil in massage helps to improve the regenerative capacity of the skin - this is due to the high content of fatty acids.The permeability of the skin is restored, the skin becomes softer, more elastic and more elastic.The rash caused by nervous disorders disappears.

Interesting! Vanilla is considered a natural aphrodisiac and is used to improve sexual function both in the form of aromatherapy, and as an oil in erotic massage.

The analgesic and sedative effect of vanilla is manifested when it is used to relieve the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, to fight infections and inflammations of organs of various body systems.

Possible harm

The main contraindications to the use of vanilla:

• pregnancy;
• is an allergy.

Spice can be harmful in large doses of .Its components exert an active influence on the skin, causing not only an improvement in their condition, but also light photosensitivity - an increase in susceptibility to ultraviolet radiation.To avoid sunburn, after using vanilla oil during massage, it should be avoided for a while under direct sunlight.

Tips for choosing and storing spices

Although vanilla has a very pleasant aroma, it tastes slightly bitter, so in its pure form it should not be added to food.Beforehand, the vanilla stick should be grinded into powder and mixed with 0.5 kg of powdered sugar. The resulting mixture can be added to almost any confectionery and pastry, as well as jams, compotes and sweet salads.

You can also make liqueurs with it.If there is no confidence in how much vanilla is required by prescription, it is better to put less and add to taste - if overdo it, even sugar will not save, and the taste will turn out to be bitter.

You should only buy closed dark pods - ground vanilla and the opened sticks quickly lose their useful properties .Store spices in a glass container, which protects it from moisture.For better preservation, each stick should be wrapped with a food film.

You can not put vanilla in a refrigerator - under the influence of a low temperature vanillin crystallizes and comes to the surface.With proper storage, the aroma of spices persists for decades.