Helichrysum italicum syn. Helichrysum angustifolium 3% in jojoba. Certified Organically Grown also known as curry plant, St. John’s herb, Everlasting or Immortelle. Steam distilled from the flowering tops in the Balkans. Social Enterprise.

Aroma: The yellow-reddish essential oil is popular in fragrance for its unique scent that some described as a mixture of burnt sugar, floral mint and ham! Others describe a sweet, rich honey-like scent with a delicate tea-like undertone.

Description: The Helichrysum italicum herb is found on dry, rocky or sandy ground around the Mediterranean, growing up to 60cm tall with daisy-like brightly coloured flowers with a highly branched woody stem. As the plant matures, the flowers become dry but retain their colour.

History: Immortelle has a long history of medical use in Europe. It was the chosen remedy for chronic skin conditions and lymphatic system problems as well as for treating migraines, headaches and liver ailments through infusion with the oil.

Properties: Anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitussive, antiseptic, astringent, cholagogue, cicatrisant, diuretic, expectorant, fungicidal, hepatic, mucoltic, nervine.

Constituents: a-pinene, camphene, a-pinene, myrcene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, terpineol-4-ol, neryl acetate, nerol, geraniol, eugenol, italidone, and other a-diketones.

Uses: Helichrysum Essential Oil is credited by aromatherapists as being effective for acne, bruises, boils, burns, cuts, dermatitis, eczema, irritated skin and wounds. It is anti-inflammatory, fungicidal, and astringent. It soothes burns and raw chapped skin. It is used as a fixative in perfumes and has an intense fragrance.

It is said to support the body through post-viral fatigue and convalescence, and can also be used to repair skin damaged by psoriasis, eczema or ulceration. It is an ideal oil for the lymphatic system and is popular in drainage massages, stimulating the liver, gall bladder, kidneys and spleen. Its expectorant properties make it a wonderful inhalation for bronchitis, coughing and sinus infection sufferers. It may also be used to treat prostatitis in men.

Helichrysum Essential Oil is believed to soothe away deep emotional stress and diffuse anger and destructive feelings. Used in cooking, cosmetics and aromatherapy, immortelle has strong psychological effects by stimulating the right side of the brain.

Safety: Non-toxic, non-sensitizing and non-irritating.

Photo thanks to Júlio Reis, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons