First discovered by the Totonaco Indians of Mexico who shared their secrets with the Aztecs, vanilla serves as more than a tasty flavoring; it also has soothing and pain-relieving properties that can help you at home. It can be used topically, ingested or as aromatherapy to help you sleep or relieve pain without reaching into the medicine cabinet.
Weight Loss
One of the more recent uses for vanilla is to help with weight loss. Soak a cloth in pure vanilla flavoring and store it in a zip-top bag. Open the bag when you feel your first pangs of hunger or have a sudden craving and breathe in the vanilla fragrance. The scent can help reduce your appetite and cravings, especially for sweet foods.
Stress Relief
Use vanilla flavoring to help relieve stress, calm your nerves and help you sleep. Pour a few drops into boiling water, then set the pot nearby while you sit quietly and breathe in the scent. This can calm you and improve your mood. The pleasant taste helps you find comfort in eating as well; try vanilla in unexpected places, such as rice, for an uplifting fragrance and taste experience.
Toothache
Although there are over-the-counter products that can numb an area around a toothache, try dabbing a vanilla-soaked cotton swab over the area for a homeopathic remedy. Vanilla also has been known to soothe a burnt tongue. Dabbing the area is most effective, but you also can swish a mixture of half vanilla flavoring and half cold water inside your mouth for a few seconds for fast relief.
Nausea
Whether you have trouble with motion sickness or your stomach rolls when you have to speak to a group of people, help your nausea with vanilla flavoring. Add 1/2 tsp. of vanilla flavoring to 2 tbsp. of warm water. Drizzle in some honey and drink the mixture. Breathe in the soothing aroma before drinking to help calm you, if your nausea comes from nervousness.
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