Vanilla Beans (Bourbon) (VANILLA PLANIFOLIA)

Description:
Vanilla Beans are seed pods of the tropical Vanilla Aromatica, belonging to the Orchidaceae family. It is a shrubby, long climbing plant, possessing a slender stem with flowers that are yellowish white. The fruit, known as the bean, is very aromatic with a full, rich taste, and has a thick skin and many seeds. Vanilla Beans are used in cooking, liquers, perfumes, cosmetics, and can be added to potpourris.

Origin:
New Guinea - Indonesia

Other Names:
Epidendrum Aromaticum, Vanilla Planifolia

Part Used:
Bean

Culinary Uses:
Vanilla Beans can be used as flavoring for candy, chocolate, ice cream, and liquers. To use the bean, slice it lengthwise to expose the seeds (which contain most of the fragrance and flavor). Some recipes suggest scraping out the seeds, others direct you to use the whole slit pod. You can also grind the seed for use. To substitute whole beans for vanilla extract, use about one inch of the bean for each teaspoon of the extract. You can use a vanilla bean more than once. Simply rinse and dry it between uses. But don't store your vanilla beans in the refrigerator, because they may mold there, place it in a dry spot.

Medicinal Uses:
Vanilla has known to be used, in infusion, for hysteria, rheumatism, and low forms of fever. It is also called an aphrodisiac, as it powerfully excites the generative system. Vanilla is said to help exhilarate the brain, prevent sleep, increase muscular energy, and stimulate the sexual propensities.

Magickal Powers and Correspondences:
Powers: Mental powers, love, lust, passion, and restoring lost energy.
Planet Rulership: Venus
Element Rulership: Water
Gender: Feminine
Sign:

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