Helichrysum italicum (aka Helichrysum angustifolium), a member of the of Compositae (or Asteraceae) family (daisy family), is a short, perennial, evergreen shrub that is native to areas of dry, rocky or sandy ground across the Mediterranean region.
Composite of the Greek words for sun (helios) and gold (chrysos), so-named because the flowers resemble small golden suns. Its common name: Immortelle, or Life Everlasting, derives from the fact that the flowers do not wither. The species name italicum means from Italy. It was once known as herba Jovis, meaning Jove’s herb (Jove is an alternate name for Jupiter, the Roman supreme god), indicating that it was thought to be a vehicle for the transmission of Divine energy. Helichrysum plants are widely distributed across Africa and used medicinally by both indigenous peoples and Europeans settlers. There are over 250 different species of helichrysum found in South Africa.The roots, leaves, stems and flowers are used as in traditional medicine to treat: fever; internal ulcers; headaches; heart problems; coronary thrombosis; hypertension; coughs; colds; infantile colic; kidney disorders; bladder conditions; painful menstruation; decreased sex drive; rheumatism; back pain; and wounds. The essential oil is steam-distilled from the fresh flowers and flowering tops, and varies in color (blue-green, yellow or orange) in accordance with the region from which it is gathered.
Production areas: Throughout the Mediterranean including Corsica, France, Morocco, Italy and in smaller amounts it is grown and produced in the Southern California region In the USA.
Extraction: Helichrysum essential oil is created from the steam distillation of the small yellow flowers.
Helichrysum oil exerts analgesic, antibacterial, anticatarrhal, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiviral, cell regenerative, detoxifying [may be useful in detoxification from alcohol, drugs and nicotine], expectorant, fungicidal, mucolytic, muscle relaxant and nerve regenerative actions. Also, it helps stimulate the flow of chi (vital force). It is considered to have the following symptom specificities: pain; heavy metal toxicity [may exert a chelating action]; fever; headache; migraine; hearing loss; tinnitus; neck pain; circulatory pathologies; spasm of the coronary arteries; cold hands and feet; varicose veins; thrombophlebitis [inflammation of a vein with clot formation, often due to, or exacerbated by, sluggish blood circulation and blood stagnation in the vein]; blood pressure abnormality; cholesterol level abnormalities; lymphatic congestion; asthma; bronchitis; chronic wet coughs; whooping cough; chronic coughs; colds; flu; hay fever; sinusitis; liver deficiency and sluggishness; liver congestion; encourages the flow of bile; spleen congestion; pancreatic deficiency; diabetes; irritable bowel cystitis; Bartholinitis; bacterial infection; viral infection; herpes simplex infection; fungicidal; candidiasis; pain; rheumatism; neuralgia; peripheral neuropathy; rheumatoid arthritis; muscle pain and stiffness; Dupuytren’ s contracture; wound healing; severe bruising and hematomas; traumatic injury; inflamed skin; burns; scars; stretch marks; boils; abscesses; acne; acne rosacea; allergic dermatitis; psoriasis; eczema; skin-discoloration; Athlete’ s foot; ringworm.
It's a skin regenerator, collagen stimulant. It treats eczema, sunburn, cuts, broken veins, scars, stretch marks, adhesions, dermatitis, psoriasis. It acts as a vulnerary, analgesic, antiseptic and anti hematoma successfully treating acute & chronic injuries/tissue trauma with severe bruising/hematoma, pain and bleeding as well as strains, sprains, muscle aches & pains. In addition, Helichrysum Treats sores, ulcers, abscesses, fissures, broken capillaries and skin itching. It is an anti-inflammatory, antipruritic treating all skin irritations and inflammation with itching, redness, swelling and dermatitis.
Helichrysum is undoubtedly one of the most potent oils for healing old traumas and unresolved shock. It is a keystone oil situated as a center-piecein the transformative journey. In Tiffany Carole’s clinical practice it is central to the work that she does and the ways that she supports in healing on all levels of being. Just as Helichrysum can heal even the toughest and “oldest wounds” physically, so too can it resolve and transform old-even ancestral–unresolved wounds that perpetuate themselves transgenerationally through beliefs, habits and “genetic”diseases.
By dissolving strictures and scar tissue (both literally and energetically), blood and qi stasis are resolved and life force can flow once again. The ‘wounded area can be nourished and activated by the Medicine Of Helichrysum it's regeneration. On a metaphysical level, the regenerative powers of Helichrysum are non-ordinary. It can assist us in regenerating from outside of the templates that we have inherited from our bloodlines and also from culture. It helps our energetic and physical bodies attune to and regenerate from the blue-printing of our own Higher Self. In this way it clears old emotional wounds and unresolved traumas individually and collectively, softens emotional scarring, and dissolves ingrained addictive patterns. It opens the Heart Center and expands our capacity for acceptance that is born from an unencumbered Presence.
In Aromatherapy For Healing The Spirit, Gabriel Mojay writes, “At its most transformative, everlasting oil can loosen the very hardest knots lying deep within the psyche.” It is a beautiful ally for us all on the path to greater awareness of who we really are and why we are here; our Universal Selves. A true guardian of Truth and Authentic Power as it assists us on the path of Morphogenesis...dissolving the restrictive structures of old, born of pain and separation, and gently but without waver it offers us direct access to the regenerative matrix that is our birthright.
Chance of adulteration: High, because of the low yield, limited availability and high cost. The more scarce and expensive Corsican helichrysum oil is sometimes mixed with the somewhat cheaper Balkan oil, resulting in a hybrid type from the fragrance and pharmacology aspects. In addition, the Balkan oil may suffer from inferior quality because of poor harvesting habits, e.g. the inclusion of other local plants such as sage. ~ P. Holmes, Aromatica Vol. I
Safety Considerations/Therapeutic status: Mild remedy with no cumulative toxicity. Topical Safety Status: Non skin-irritant, non-sensitizing
Precautions: Good for sensitive & dry skin types
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