Vanilla
Vanilla planifolia
The cured pods of a Mexican climbing orchid, the source of vanilla flavor. Known as tlilxochitl to the Aztecs, it was one of the first Mexican plants with medicinal uses recorded after the Spanish arrived.
What is Vanilla?
- Plant family
- Orchidaceae, the orchid family
- Parts used
- The cured seed pods (vanilla beans) and the flowers
- Where it grows
- Mexico
- Genus
- Vanilla
- Species
- planifolia
Also called
Vanilla Bean
Regional names
Vainilla
Traditional names
Tlilxochitl, Xanat
Traditionally used for
- Flavoring
- Fatigue (traditional)
- Stomach problems (traditional)
- Nervous complaints (traditional)
Traditionally described as
Safety
Pregnancy
In Mexican traditional medicine, vanilla has been used to bring on menstruation and to speed up childbirth. Its effects in pregnancy haven't been studied.[1]
What does the research say?
Traditional use
These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.
Vanilla, called tlilxochitl, was the first native Mexican orchid whose medicinal uses were written down after the Spanish arrived, in a 1552 herbal by Martín de la Cruz. In Mexican traditional medicine, the pods and flowers have been used:
- To flavor chocolate and drinks
- For tiredness and nervous complaints
- For stomach and gut problems, and pain and inflammation
- To lower fever and increase urination
- To bring on menstruation and speed up childbirth
In short
Traditionally used to bring on menstruation and speed childbirth; not studied as a medicine.
Sources
- [1] Medicinal Orchids of Mexico: A Review · DOI: 10.3390/ph17070907Peer-reviewed study
This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.