Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) Pure CO2 Extract

Description

Vanilla CO2 Extract: The Sweet Smell of Nature

There is more to vanilla than its warm, sultry scent. Loaded with benefits, you will find that the properties found in vanilla oil will make it a valuable tool in your medicine cabinet.

Strictly speaking, there’s no such thing as vanilla essential oil. That’s because the extraction process for vanilla essence is different than the process for extracting essential oils, which are created through an expeller, steam distillation, or cold-pressing. Vanilla bean pods can’t be used in any of these extraction methods, so technically, there is no pure vanilla essential oil. What there is, however, is pure vanilla extract by way of CO2 extraction or using a solvent like ethanol.

Three main kinds of vanilla are used in vanilla essential oil:

• Vanilla Oleoresin: A semi-solid resin extracted from vanilla bean pods using a solvent. This doesn’t completely mix with carrier oils, so there is often a residue in products.
• Vanilla Absolute: A concentrated, thick substance also extracted using a solvent. This can easily blend into body products.
• Vanilla CO2 Extract: A concentrate extracted from vanilla bean pods using high-pressure carbon dioxide that dissolves easily in carrier oils. This is the only one of the three that can be diffused.

Vanilla CO2 Extracts are becoming more readily available. They are a beautiful, more natural and alcohol/solvent-free way to enjoy working with vanilla.The CO2 supercritical extraction process allows the production staff to more easily control the proportions of certain desirable (and sometimes, certain undesirable) constituents that wind up in the final CO2 extract. In the case of Vanilla CO2 Extract, the aldehyde vanillin, is a crucial component in determining the aromatic profile of the extract. However, as Mark Webb confirmed in his CO2 Extract Course, working with CO2 Extracts that exceed 12% vanillin can result in an aroma that is not as full and rich.

Vanilla CO2 Extracts tend to be on the thicker side, but it depends partly on your room temperature.

Country of origin: Mexico

Method of Extraction: CO2 Extracted

Scent Description: Rich, warm, sweet vanilla aroma.

Blends Well With: Jasmine, vetiver, patchouli, sandalwood, neroli, sweet orange, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, lavender, marjoram, bergamot, lemon, roses, and tuberose.

Therapeutic Properties & Uses:

• The health benefits of vanilla co2 extract can be attributed to its properties as an antioxidant, aphrodisiac, anticarcinogenic, febrifuge (reduces fever), antidepressant, sedative, tranquilizing, and a relaxing substance.

• Stress-induced conditions, nervous anxiety, nervousness, insomnia and restlessness, unexplained painful limbs, nervous stomach, nausea, inability to relax. [Valerie Ann Worwood, The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, 25th Anniversary Edition (Novato, CA: New World Library, 2016, 628.]

Shelf Life: 5-6 years

Safety Precautions: