Magickal Properties & Uses Of Vanilla

Plant/herb – Vanilla 

(Vanilla Planiflora)

Vanilla (Vanilla Planiflora) is a tropical flower from the Orchidaceae family. The dried beans of the Vanilla plant produce a warm aroma and sweet scent. It is used for culinary, magickal and aromatherapeutic purposes 

Appearance:

Vanilla is a climbing vine that, with support, can grow up to 10-15
 metres in height. It has long, flat, fleshy, bright green, oval shaped

leaves with pale greenish yellow to creamy-white flowers, around 5cm wide. The Vanilla flowers once opened, last only 1 day.

The actual Vanilla pods are long and thin (15-20cm) and have the appearance of green beans when immature. Once cured, they can be used for flavouring/scent extraction.

Where It Grows:

Vanilla is a tropical orchid native to Mexico and Central America, but today it’s grown in various equatorial regions around the world. The majority of Vanilla produced today comes from Madagascar, however it is also produced in countries such as Réunion Island and tropical areas along the Indian Ocean. There are now 2 other species of Vanilla grown  around the world- V. Pompona (grown in the West Indies, Central America and South America) as well as V. tahitensis (grown in the South Pacific).

Vanilla thrives in hot, humid climates with partial shade and well-drained, rich soil. Vanilla is typically grown at low elevations, often under the canopy of taller plants to mimic its natural forest habitat.

Harvesting Vanilla:

Vanilla relies upon external pollination, and as such, all commercially available Vanilla is pollinated by hand. The only pollinators of Vanilla in the wild are orchid bees (in the genus Eulaema) and the Western honeybee.

Vanilla pods are harvested by hand, 8–9 months after pollination when they are still green and slightly yellowing at the tip.

Prior to use, Vanilla pods need to be cured. This process involves blanching or freezing the beans to stop maturation, sweating them in a humid condition to cause fermentation and develop the vanilla aroma, then drying the beans gradually over several weeks prior to storing the dried beans in closed boxes for a few more weeks to allow the flavours to mature.

This curing process can take 4-6 months and is what gives vanilla its rich, complex aroma and flavour.

 

Magickal Uses Of Vanilla

Vanilla is particularly used for love magic. It's sweet, slightly intoxicating scent makes it useful for attracting men and women. 

Folk Names: Banilje, Tilxochitl

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Venus

Element: Water

Powers: Love, Passion, Sex, Physical Energy & Lust

Parts Used: Dried fruit (pod)

 

 

Some Of The Magickal Uses Of Vanilla Include:

1. Attracts both women and men: The warm aroma of Vanilla is sensual and appeals to men and women alike.
2. Induces Lust: Vanilla can be used in love magic to induce lust.
3. Aids Physical Energy

 

How To Use Vanilla in Magick

1. Add Vanilla to a love sachet and carry with you to induce lust
2. Add Vanilla beans (with intention) to sugar and use the sugar in
   
   baked goods given to your love interest
3. Add Vanilla oil to your oil burner in your bedroom to increase feelings of passion and desire.
4. Wear a Vanilla perfume oil to attract love.
5. To create a warm, loving environment in winter, add a vanilla bean to a bowl of water situated near your indoor fireplace and let the aroma permeate your home.
6. When low on energy wear a vanilla scented perfume to promote increased physical energy.
7. When performing love spells, burn a Vanilla scented candle.

Let us know what you think about this fantastic herb. Do you use it for mundane purposes, magickal purposes, or both? We'd love to hear your experiences.

Please note: This information is for entertainment purposes only and should not replace professional advice.  I am not a qualified herbalist/doctor and am only reporting self-researched information. 

If you are looking for vanilla products, check out our range here

 

References:

Wikipedia contributors. (2025, April 5). Vanilla. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 01:03, April 17, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vanilla&oldid=1284041768

Cunningham, S. (2023). Cunningham's Encyclopedia Of Magical Herbs (2nd ed., p. 250-251). Llewellyn Publications.

Cunningham, S. (2022). Magical Aromatherapy (p144-145). Llewellyn Publications.