Helichrysum - The Essential Healer
If you use essential oils, you probably reach for Tea Tree and Lavender, two wonderful all-purpose oils used often in aromatherapy and by many around the world. However, in recent years, Helichrysum essential oil (sometimes known as Immortelle or Everlasting) has gained tremendous popularity for its amazing physical healing properties for everything from bruising, scarring, skincare, inflammation, and pain, to emotional healing. Not that long ago, in the early to mid-1990s, many aromatherapy guides did not reference Helichrysum at all, for even the experts were unaware of its incredible healing power. How things have changed in the past ten years!
The Helichrysum italicum ssp serotinum essential oil, best known for overall healing is steam distilled from the tiny yellow blossoms of the Immortelle flower grown on the French Island of Corsica. Although Helichrysum is grown all over the world, the highest quality oil, yielding the best results seems to come from the plants grown on Corsican Island and should be the country of origin listed when purchasing Helichrysum for therapeutic use. Its fragrance is warm, slightly honey-like, rich, and buttery, with green notes of wood, spices, and herbs, and its color is normally yellow, from pale to golden.
Helichrysum is known to be anti-inflammatory and anti-hematomas, making it useful for pain relief from arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and a variety of injuries, as well as in healing bruises extremely quickly, sometimes almost overnight. It acts by having the blood reabsorbed into the tissue, thus removing the discoloration and the pain caused by pressure on the nerves. According to Dr. Christoph Streicher, Helichrysum Essential Oil is useful in treating heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, and the risk of stroke. Blended with Ylang Ylang it is useful in treating high blood pressure. Dr. Streicher, along with many other authorities, also states that Helichrysum, in a base of Rose Hip Seed Oil will fade scars. Valerie Worwood author of "The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy," recommends Helichrysum for rebuilding a weakened immune system. Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, and thought to regenerate skin, many skin problems could benefit from using Helichrysum, including acne, rosacea, skin irritation, rash, or sunburn. For safety, always dilute in appropriate carrier oil for use on the skin.
Among some groups, Helichrysum is considered one of the "sacred" oils. Mentally, it is very supportive and comforting. It is believed by some to open the right side of the brain and improve creativity as well as increase dream activity and would be a good component in a meditation blend to encourage spirituality and personal growth. Again, according to Dr. Streicher, it can help an individual get in touch with unresolved feelings, and emotions that have been denied and/or buried, and it helps release defense mechanisms and offers comfort in processing emotional traumas.
From ancient times the effects of the Helichrysum plant have been recognized but only in the past decade have aromatherapists, holistic practitioners, and their patients begun to recognize and benefit from its precious Corsican essential oil, a must-have for any 21st Century medicine cabinet or first aid kit