48,406
edits
Changes
no edit summary
[[File:Vanilla_Illustration.jpg]] The type of vanilla grown on Madagascar and in most other locations Vanilla planifolia, also known as Madagascar Bourbon or Bourbon Vanilla. About 97% of the world's real vanilla comes from Madagascar. However, an estimated 95% of all vanilla products contains artificial vanilla. In ancient times, vanilla was said to have aphrodisiac properties effects and help against fever. Although these properties remain scientifically unverified, it is known that vanilla increases levels of catecholamines, including epinephrine, more commonly known as adrenaline. In an in-vitro test, vanilla was able to block quorom sensing in bacteria. In many bacteria , quorum sensing signals function as a switch for virulence in that microbes only become virulent when the these signals indicate that they have the numbers to resist the host immune system response. The essential oils of vanilla and vanillin are often used in aromatherapy.