Vanillyl alcohol is derived from vanillin. It is used to flavor food and scent fragrances, and is described to have a mild, sweet, balsamic vanilla-like scent. Recent studies have shown that vanillyl alcohol has some neuro-protective effects by suppressing the oxidative stress and anti-apoptotic activity in toxin-induced dopaminergic MN9D cells. This could make it a potential candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease.

Vanillyl alcohol can be produced by reducing vanillin with sodium borohydride under basic conditions, then quenching using a strong acid such as hydrochloric acid.