Vanilla

Generic name: Vanilla Planifolia Andr.
Brand names: Bourbon Vanilla, Flat-leaved Vanilla, Mexican Vanilla, Tahitian Vanilla, Vanilla, Vanillon

Usage of Vanilla

Antimicrobial

Antibacterial and antifungal actions have been demonstrated in vitro for vanilla and vanillin, suggesting a role in food preservation.(Sinha 2008, Choo 2006, Anuradha 2013) Aromatic compounds elucidated from vanilla are toxic to mosquito larvae.(Sun 2001)

Blood

An antisickling effect has been demonstrated for vanillin. In mice, increased survival in hypoxic conditions and a decrease in the percentage of sickle cells was shown, while in a small clinical study, vanillin 1 g daily produced measurable antisickling effects.(Abraham 1991, Zhang 2004, García 2005)

Cancer

In vitro and animal data

Vanillin may exert antimUTAgenic and anticarcinogenic activity by inhibiting a DNA repair process leading to the production of mutagenic cells. Antioxidant action(Shyamala 2007, Kamat 2000) may also contribute to this effect. The ability to suppress phototoxic DNA damage, as well as potentiate cisplatin cytotoxicity, has also been demonstrated in vitro. Clinical studies are lacking.(Kumar 2000, Kumar 2004, Kamat 2000, Durant 2003, Gustafson 2000)

Clinical data

Research reveals no clinical studies regarding the use of vanilla in cancer.

Food/Scent

In controlled studies, meals flavored with vanilla provide a greater degree of satiety relative to nutritionally identical unflavored meals.(Warwick 1993, Brondel 2009)

Vanillin may have hypolipidemic activity.(Sinha 2008)

The odor of vanilla had no impact on response by infants to painful stimulus in a clinical study.(Romantsik 2014)

Other uses

In rats with sciatic nerve compression with and without nerve injury, daily administration of vanillin orally from day 3 to 21 postoperatively increased muscle vascularization. Additionally, vanillin in rats with nerve injury significantly increased intramuscular connective tissue compared to uninjured and injured controls (P<0.001).(Peretti 2017)

Vanilla side effects

Although allergenic properties have been associated with vanilla, they do not appear to be related to the vanillin component of the plant. Rather, dermatitis may be caused by calcium oxalate crystals in the plant. Workers preparing vanilla have reported headache, dermatitis, and insomnia, which together have been characterized as a syndrome known as vanillism.Leung 1980, Duke 1985

In a survey of ingredients in prescription and nonprescription health care products, vanilla was the second most common flavoring superseded only by cherry, suggesting that people with a known hypersensitivity to vanilla extract should be vigilant to the widespread use of this flavoring in pharmaceuticals.Kumar 1993

Before taking Vanilla

Generally recognized as safe when used as food. Avoid dosages above those found in food because safety and efficacy are unproven.

How to use Vanilla

There are no clinical studies to provide therapeutic dosage guidance for vanilla.

In a study in sickle cell disease, vanillin 1 g daily was given in divided doses for 40 days.García 2005 Because vanillin is metabolized rapidly in the upper digestive tract, oral dosing is undesirable for use in clinical trials. A prodrug has been developed.Zhang 2004

Warnings

Research reveals little or no information regarding toxicology with the use of this product.

What other drugs will affect Vanilla

None well documented.

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