Helichrysum is a medicinal plant grown from the Asteracea plant family. They are mostly found in Mediterranean regions. It has been used as medicine to treat various ailments in countries such as Spain, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Portugal, and Italy. Helichrysum essential oil contains a lot of beneficial medicinal components. It rich in anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-hematic, anticoagulant, and many other rewarding and beneficial properties.
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Helichrysum essential oil is collected in the form of helichrysum itlaicum extract. It is used in many studies to test the ability of having lower inflammation or higher inflammation properties. It has several heavy mechanisms attached to it, such as inflammatory enzyme inhibition, free-radical scavenging activity, and corticoid-like impact.
Many reports also indicate that Helichrysum flowers were considered as sacred and were dried in order to offer them to Greek Gods. Even in today’s time, in Mediterranean region, these flowers are used for sacred and medicinal purposes. The only difference is that scientists over the years have distinguished its miraculous medicinal values. This plant has gained a lot of global popularity.
And why not! Modern scientists have passed that Helichrysumitalican essential oil has been used since ancient times. Its anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties make this oil special and uniquely versatile. There are a lot of ways in which this oil can be used.
Helichrysum Essential oil Benefits
As mentioned above, Helichrysum essential oil is extracted only from Helichrysum italicum flower. And this flower contains a huge amount of medicinal features. It is no surprise that it is frequently used for pharmacological uses. It is also commonly known by other names: Everlasting, Curry Plant, and Immortelle. Other names came in light because Helichrysum has more than 600 species and distinguishing of the plant became a bit difficult.
However, not only Helichrysum Italicum essential oil is beneficial, but its flowers and leaves have also been trending since ancient times. In south India, this is known as Curry plant and it is frequently used in recipes.
People offer Helichrysum flowers to Gods and mostly use them in all auspicious occasions, such as weddings, birthdays, and so on. The leaves are ground to make a fine paste and applied on hair as a hair mask to improve hair health. It strengthens hair follicles and roots, eradicating hair fall and dandruff issues.
Including the leaves in recipes maintains the stomach wellness by keeping the abdominal issues at bay. These flowers are frequently used in South-India. Also, Helichrysum plant has secured place in the history of India.
Nourishing and strengthening hair is just one of the many uses of this plant. With Helichrysum essential oil you can treat various health conditions including
- Allergies
- Wound Healing
- Colds
- Constipation
- Skin Inflammation
- Cough
- Liver diseases
- Indigestion and Reflux
- Candida
- Infections
- Muscle and joint pains
- Insomnia
- Bloating
- Stomach problems
- Gallbladder disorders
Besides being a strong medical treatment aid, this oils also has numerous emotional benefits:
- It reduces stress
- Helps insomnia issues
- Promotes positive feelings
- Promotes hopefulness, courage, strength, and positivity
- Recovers person from trauma.
Although many of the mentioned above ailments have been treated by this helichrysum essential oil, they are yet to be proven scientifically. Research is continued through experimental tests to prove the promises of this miraculous oil.
Helichrysum essential oil has proven to be free from side-effects and can indeed heal the mentioned ailments as told by ancient scriptures.
Helichrysum essential oil uses
The most popular uses of this oil include the following:
- To smooth fine lines, wrinkles, stretch marks, and skin scars.
- To soothe acne and acne inflammation
- To cleanse body naturally
- To relieve tension and stress (Massage a drop or two on back of the neck and temples)
- To relieve respiratory issues. (Add a drop or two and rub in the hands and inhale several times in a day)
However, the use of this oil goes far beyond the mentioned ones. Let’s have a closer look at how you can apply this oil to treat your health conditions.
- Anti-biotic and Anti-fungal
Helichrysum essential oil can soothe and heal the skin. It works as an antibiotic and antifungal agent for skin rashes, skin diseases, and skin infections. To use essential oil for this purpose, use of good carrier oil is recommended, such as jojoba and coconut oil. It is also effective on hive rashes, redness, face blemishes, acne rashes, acne and shaving irritation on the face. If you are infected with poison ivy or rash, then apply this solution: 3 drops of Helichrysum essential oil, 2 drops of lavender oil and 5 drops of carrier oil. This solution can help soothe skin inflammation and eradicate any itchiness.
- Sunburns and skin cancer protector
Use this oil to treat sunburns. It can instantly eradicate skin inflammation, soothe the skin, and relieve you from the pain. If the sunburn is intense, use cotton balls to apply oil on the burns. Do not apply with fingers and also do not massage in the oil.
Additionally, this oil can decrease the wrinkle formation on the skin and prevent pre-ageing of the skin. UV- rays can form skin cancer and that is the reason many cosmeticians and dermatologists recommend people to wear a good sun block as it protects skin from harmful UV rays. If your skin is not made up for chemical products, then this essential oil can be your skin’s best friend in scorching Sun.
- Acne Treatment
Acne requires a product that has a combination of anti-fungal, anti-biotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties to have a lasting impact on acne, since active acne needs antimicrobial and antifungal agents to kill the bacteria growing inside and outside the skin. Usually, chemical products do not reach the last layer of the skin. Regular creams cover the mouth of a pimple and make the acne worse, whereas helichrysum essential oil penetrates deep into the skin tissues and targets the layers of the skin and tackles the core issue.
- Antispasmodic
Spasm is an unwanted or excessive excretion in the body. Excessive production of spasm can cause respiratory tracts and lungs issues, resulting in intense cough, abdominal pains, cramps, breathlessness, convulsions and so on. In a few extreme instances, the spasm can prove to be fatal. Henceforth, it is advised to treat it instantaneously. Helichrysum oil is perfect for helping these types of ailments. Its antispasmodic properties can provide quick relief. It can also be used as a preventative agent for spasm increase. To treat spasm issue with helichrysum oil use inhalation method.
- Anticoagulant
Life-saving feature of Helichrysum has also made it quite popular among the masses. Helichrysum essential oil is a boon for people who run the risk of heart-attacks. Heart attack usually happens when the blood thickens and cholesterol level shoots up. Helichrysum essential oil can liquefy blood. A huge research activity has been laid out to tap the anticoagulant properties present in natural substances to decrease the alarming rate of heart-attacks.
- Anti-allergenic
Antiallergenic is also one of the important aspects to save certain life instances. It might sound like an exaggeration of its properties, but allergies are sometimes fatal. Many people think allergies are just limited to rashes and abdominal aches, but you will be surprised to know how fatal they can be. Allergies can attack internal organs such as spleen, lungs, liver, intestine and heart. There are many cases of allergy causing asthma, unbearable abdominal pain, cardiac arrest and even death. If you are prone to allergies, this oil can work as a preventive agent.
- Anti-hematic
This oil can help in removing blood clots that result in hemorrhage. Helichrysum essential oil helps in thinning of blood and clears the collection of blood or clots. The stimulating enzymes present in the oil can dissolve or liquefy the blood clots.
- Antitussive
This property of Helichrysum oil can heal extreme cough and cold attacks. Helichrysum oil gives relief to respiratory tracts and eradicates the formation of phlegm that causes intense coughing. It also clears the infection causing cough.
- Nervine
Not many know this, but Helichrysum oil is a nervine, which means it stimulates nervous system and keeps it in order. It strengthens the nerves of the brain and regular use of this oil can protect you from hemorrhage, blood clot formation, stress, anxiety attacks, and depression.
- Febrifuge
Fever is not a typical disease or ailment, it is an indication that something is wrong with the body and soldiers of the body are fighting to eradicate that disease. Even cold or flu indicates the same thing. So, fever, cold or flu should never be taken lightly. They should be treated instantaneously. Proper diagnose should be done. However, this oil is capable of healing your febrifuge problem.
Helichrysum Essential Oil Use Precautions
- Always do a patch test on a skin before letting this oil in daily routine.
- Excessive usage of this or any essential oil can cause skin sensitization.
- Keep out of the reach of children. Do not apply close to eyes and ears area and avoid direct sunlight contact after application.
- Not all brands produce 100% pure oil, it is recommended to check the brand and the quality of the product before purchasing.
doTERRA Helichrysum Essential oil
doTERRA brand of essential oil has proved that it is not only the best brand around but it also serves 100% pure essential oils to its customers. doTERRA Helichrysum essential oil extraction is done with natural method without utilizing any chemical components. Helichrysum essential oil is also referred to as helichrysum italicum essential oil in the product line of doTERRA brand.
A few inspiring recipes for Helichrysum oil application
Skin soothing blend
Ingredients:
- Add 10 drops of helichrysum oil
- 10 drops of frankincense oil
- 10 drops of sandal wood oil
- 3 drops of rosemary oil
Application:
Add all the ingredients in a 3 ml bottle and top it off with jojoba oil or coconut oil. Apply whenever required to soothe and nourish skin.
Sun burn elixir
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp. of aloe vera
- 2 drops of helichrysum essential oil
- 2 drops of lavender oil
Application:
Apply this elixir on the sunburnt skin. It will soothe the skin and also heal it at the same time. However, if the burns are intense, add 2 drops of peppermint. It will add cooling effect to the solution.
Youth Elixir
Beautify and tighten your skin with this blend.
Ingredients:
- 30 drops of frankincense oil
- 20 drops of helichrysum oil
- 10 drops of lavender essential oil
- coconut or avocado oil
Application:
Pour all these oils in a 5 ml bottle and fill the remaining bottle with coconut or avocado oil. Apply on wrinkles and dark spots.
Face wash
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp. of coconut oil
- 3 tbsp of honey
- 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar
- 20 drops of helichrysum essential oil
Application:
Mix all ingredients together in a plastic non-reactive bowl and use a hand blender to blend. Apply on face and massage in for 1 minute, wash with lukewarm water.
Helichrysum essential oil can easily replace your chemically stuffed medicines. If you are on look for a natural remedy for many health issues, then this essential oil can undoubtedly suit you, since it is capable of healing wounds, battling digestion issues, infections, and nervous system problems, providing support in maintaining a healthy heart, preventing respiratory issues and bladder problems.
Sources and References
- Wikipedia Helichrysum
- NCBI Helichrysum italicum
