Sweet, creamy dessert spice sleep aid, antidepressant
By Sari Huhtala
Who knew that a commonly used sweet and creamy dessert spice has similar antidepressant activity as Prozac, and eases anxiety, promotes calm and improves sleep, not to mention protects against neurodegenerative diseases.
The flavour and taste of vanilla spice is dreamy in desserts, but this spice, derived from the pods of vanilla orchids, has so much more going for it than just an add-on to a flavour profile in foods.
Vanillin, the main part of the vanilla bean, is a feel-good spice. When ingested, “vanillin molecules bind to dopamine receptors in the brain,” according to a review in the Oriental Journal of Chemistry. This binding triggers a “cascade of molecular events ultimately influencing mood and behaviour.”
A 2013 study in the Indian Journal of Pharmacology found vanillin at a dosage of 100mg/kg orally has shown antidepressant activity in mice, comparable with fluoxetine (Prozac).
While much more expensive than the synthetic artificial vanilla extract made of chemical concoctions, the real deal, pure vanilla extract or pure essential oil made from vanilla bean pods, is the only form that is beneficial. Or, purchase vanilla bean pods, cut in half lengthwise and scrape the seeds out, adding them to recipes.
Vanilla is a powerful antioxidant. A 2017 study in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found vanillin helps protect against neurotoxicity, and plays a role in treating neurodegenerative diseases.
The smell of pure vanilla has been shown to help calm a crying baby. Make your own vanilla sleep spray. Fill a small spray bottle with about one quarter witch hazel, then fill bottle with distilled water and add a few drops of pure vanilla essential oil. Spritz your wrists, face, neck, or body, or spray on your pillow case.
(This information is not intended to replace medical advice and treatment from a health care practitioner).
Sari Huhtala is the creator, publisher and editor of Alive and Fit Magazine, which was created in 2007. She has over 25 years of experience in journalism and over 15 years of experience as a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor, and is a holistic chef, offering holistic cooking and edible wilds workshop, and My Farmacy workshops. She is an organic farmer, wild-crafter and grandmother, who has spent over 20 years navigating a holistic, healthy path for her family. Reach her at friends@thelaughingforest.ca
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