As many of you may know, we specialize in wellness and luxury at Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resorts. From our spa to our cooking, we’re constantly ensuring that guests leave our properties feeling healthy and rejuvenated. When it comes to our chefs, they pride themselves on using the finest and freshest ingredients in our dishes and that includes everything from pumpkin, cactus and one of our favorite spices, vanilla pods.

Vanilla pods or beans are the fruit of the orchid Vanilla planifolia, which is native to the tropical forest of our hometown, Mexico. In the wild, vanilla grows as a thick, green vine up trees and produces clusters of trumpet shaped flowers. These flowers typically bloom once per day to be pollinated. If they are not pollinated, they drop to the ground and do not produce vanilla.

Not only does vanilla add delicious flavor to our food and drink, but it also releases an easing aroma and has number health benefits such as:

Relieving nausea: Vanilla can be used to help calm the stomach. Simply add a few drops of vanilla extract to a glass of water and sip on it.

Reducing stress: Studies have shown that the vanilla scent has a positive benefit on people who are dealing with stress and anxiety.

Aiding aches and pains: Vanilla beans contain anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties so don’t be afraid to toss them into a hot bath.

Do you have a special use for vanilla? If so, tell us in a comment below.