Helichrysum Essential Oil (Helichrysum italicum)
Helichrysum essential oil (AKA Immortelle) is a powerful healing medicinal essence with a sweet, spicy, herbal aroma used to speed healing process of wounds. Helichrysum essential oil benefits include:
- Anti-inflammatory (Powerful!)
- Anti microbial (viral, fungal, bacterial)
- Anti-oxidant
- Diuretic
- Relaxant / Sedative
- Speeds healing process of wounds
- Stimulates immune system
Dr. Nick Notes
The therapeutic properties and functions of Helichrysum essential oil are ever-expanding. Since the dawn of society, this medicinal plant has been used across the world to promote bodily health and treat conditions. It has been said that during the Middle Ages, Helichrysum was used to treat sickness and the flowers were offered to the gods to pay tribute. The oil of helichrysum plant has been a core medicine in Mediterranean Cultures for many centuries, especially in the Balkans and Corsica.
The impressive potential of Helichrysum essential oil comes from its natural antibiotic, antimicrobial, and anti-fungal properties. Helichrysum oil may improve flare-ups in skin conditions including acne, eczema, psoriasis. Immortelle may be used to aid in healing infections, wounds, to reduce inflammation or to reduce an allergenic response. Soothing on the stomach, helichrysum oil may be considered to for indigestion or upset stomach. This is a super healing essence!
I will touch upon on some of the more common and functional uses of Helichrysum essential oil. As an antibiotic and anti-fungal it is extremely useful for speeding up the healing of wounds, bruises, skin infections and other skin conditions. Experiments show that when the oil is placed on a red or irritated patch of skin one of two things can happen - the area improves, or stays the same. It never has negative affects unless the user has an allergy to helichrysum oil which is very rare. A very important essential oil to have in your personal medicine chest, for sure!
When rubbed into the skin with a carrier oil, Helichrysum can relieve inflammation and speed healing of hives, blemishes, rashes, shaving irritation, poison ivy. Heli even has potential to minimize scarring (most effective shortly after injury). When Immortelle is blended with organic Lavender oil, it can soothe itching and aid in repairing sun burnt skin, especially when blended with Tamanu (Foraha) oil. Consider massaging helichrysum over the chest during onset of a cough or cold to stimulate the immune system or use the palm inhalation method to inhale into the lungs.
As a adjunctive therapy options against candida (an overpopulation of a certain type of fungus in the digestive system which affects a large portion of the U.S) Helichrysum is super effective. There are special compounds in the oil of this plant called acetophenones, phloroglucinols, and various terpenoids which have been shown to have anti-candida properties. In clinical studies these compounds have proven to “soothe the digestive tract, fight inflammation in the gut lining” and speed up recovery from Candida.
Helichrysum essential oil exhibits free radical scavenging activity and inflammatory enzyme inhibition which restores the protective and regenerative properties of cellular tissues making it a powerful medicine in tissue regeneration. Fuzheng therapy is a type of auto-immune disease and tumor treatment that originates from Chinese medicine. Fuzheng therapy features Helichrysum to eliminate fire toxins (responsible for tumors, cancer etc…) in the body. The plant oil does this by strengthening the body’s ability to distinguish “self from non-self, and thus to attack what is foreign” (Schnaubelt, p. 190).
As a final note, Helichrysum oil helps to detoxify and support the kidneys and liver. Thus, when blended with lemon, lime, orange, or grapefruit and rubbed topically over the lower abdomen, it may aid in flushing the system or built up toxins, and reduce the risk of kidney stones. Always be aware that these citrus oils should be diluted before applying to the skin and can cause a phototoxic reaction when exposed to the sunlight (stay out of direct sunlight when applying citrus oils).
How to Use
Sunburn, skin protector, and relief of other skin conditions - Blend a 1 to 5 ratio of Helichrysum essential oil with carrier oil - for this specific purpose I suggest Argan oil or Tamanu due to their inherent anti-microbial and healing properties. Rub the blend into the affected area a few times a day to promote healthy skin renewal.
Kidney and liver support - Blend 5% Helichrysum essential oil, 5% citrus of your choice (lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit) and a carrier oil and warm in the hands and massage into the lower abdomen, and lower back.
Respiratory support - Place a few drops of the pure essence oil into your palms. Rub them together, cover the face and inhale deeply. Consider adding in ReSpire formulation to your hands for added protection from infection.
Safety Summary
Hazards: None known. Non-irritating, non-sensitizing. Allergies very rare.
Notes: Organic
Origin: Southern California or Bosnia | Herzegovina or Bulgaria
Largest Producing Countries: France, Italy, Spain, Corsica
Blends well with: Clary Sage, Sweet Orange, Patchouli, Geranium, Bergamot, Lavender, Sweet Marjoram, Rosemary, Rose, Black Spruce, Leleshwa
References
- Schnaubelt, Kurt. The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils. Healing Arts Press 2011, India. Pp 21, 152, 161, 190, 199, 203
- Axe, Josh. draxe.com. (http://draxe.com/helichrysum-essential-oil/) Accessed 12/10/2015 2:50PM.
** This product has not been approved by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have history of seizure disorder or any other medical condition, consult your physician before using this product. **
5 reviews for Helichrysum Essential Oil
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Lisa (Essential Oil Wizardry) –
California, United States
This is going in my face serum blend
amanda c. (Essential Oil Wizardry) –
Canada
Super potent. I can see how it’s soo healing
Jordan Darnell (Essential Oil Wizardry) –
Oregon, United States
Amazing effects using micro drops rub on my hair and hands, let’s my cat come to calm effects/ grounding presence.
Michelle (Essential Oil Wizardry) –
New York, United States
Anonymous (Essential Oil Wizardry) –
Arizona, United States