Vanilla Essential Oil — 10% Oleoresin
A 10% solvent-extracted oleoresin from fermented vanilla beans grown in Mexico — vanilla's original homeland. Complex, deep, with the warmth and sweetness that has made vanilla one of the most loved fragrances in the world.
Botanical profile
- Latin name: Vanilla planifolia
- Origin: Mexico — vanilla's original cultivation region, by the Totonacs of Veracruz
- Extraction: Solvent extracted from fermented beans, 10% oleoresin
- Aroma: Complex, sweet, deep — fermented vanilla beans contain over 250 aroma compounds. Far richer than commercial vanilla flavouring.
- Perfumery note: Base
- Blends well with: Sandalwood, rose, ylang ylang, frankincense, benzoin, citrus oils, cocoa absolute
Traditional uses & properties
- Long-prized as an aphrodisiac aromatic
- Used in perfumery as a warming, sweet base note
- A common ingredient in love and intimacy blends
- Comforting and grounding in evening aromatherapy
History
The Totonacs of Veracruz, Mexico are credited as the first cultivators of the vanilla bean. In the 1400s, the Aztecs showed Spanish colonizers how vanilla could sweeten chocolate and perfume cigars. By the mid-1500s, vanilla beans were a staple of Spanish colonial trade. The name 'Bourbon vanilla' refers to high-grade beans cured according to the process developed on the Bourbon Islands in the Indian Ocean.
How to use
As a 10% extraction, vanilla oil is rich and resinous — warm gently before blending. Use as a base note in perfume blends, body oils, or massage oils. Pairs especially well with sandalwood, rose, and frankincense.
Safety
External use only. Patch test before broader application. The solvent-extracted oleoresin is concentrated — use sparingly.
Storage
Store sealed in a cool, dark place. Most essential oils keep 1-3 years; citrus oils oxidize faster — best within 12 months.
This information is for educational purposes only. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Always dilute essential oils for skin application; patch test before first use; keep away from children and pets.