The essential oil distilled from the small yellow flowers of the Helichrysum plant is quickly becoming one of the most popular essential oils used in aroma-medicine (perhaps the more appropriate term than 'aromatherapy' for the growing medicinal use of volatile plant extracts in the United States). Other monikers for this important oil include Everlasting and Immortelle -- they all refer specifically to Helichrysum italicum -- one of more than 500 known Helichrysum species. What's making this oil so popular? It's not due to its somewhat medicinal aroma -- Rose or Jasmine it is not (though many people do love the scent). It has to do with its fantastic healing potential. Helichrysum has an array of therapeutic effects, all supported by the science in its natural chemical makeup. Here's a look at the marvel of healing found in the chemistry of Helichrysum...
Healing The Body's Structure
Helichrysum's most revered effects have to do with the healing of the musculoskeletal system -- it happens to have several natural chemical constituents that synergize to produce quick, profound results. Pure essential oils are often made up of many, sometimes hundreds of individual molecules. The 'chemistry profile' of Helichrysum essential oil is very special, containing a spectrum of healing compounds produced by a single plant. Many essential oils have proven medical effects (search Pub Med for 'essential oil' to see thousands of results), including antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer activity. Helichrysum's primary applications are on the healing of the muscles, joints, skin and connective tissues -- though there are more diverse uses, these are the easiest for most users to experience.
Cooling Inflammation
A great many drugs today, including the most popular over-the-counter pharmaceutical medicines, are made to specifically reduce inflammation. Swollen, irritated tissue will tend to both HURT, and cause MORE INFLAMMATION -- which of course HURTS MORE! And that's just the surface of it -- inflammation not only causes pain, but ages our body more quickly. Inflammation has been targeted by pain relieving drugs as well as anti-aging medicines. Curcumin, the extract of the spice Turmeric, has become a very popular dietary supplement to treat inflammation. Helichrysum essential oil is high in a related compounds also with strong anti-inflammatory activity: alpha-, beta- and gamma- curcumene. The essential oil can be made up of 10-25% curcumenes, depending on the region where the plant is grown (Serbian and Croatian varieties may have the highest values of curcumenes). One of the oil's most important uses is the application during the initial stages of physical trauma, greatly reducing slow-healing hematomas from forming.
Muscle Relaxant
The first place where the 'serotinum' sub species shines is in the area of relieving tight muscles. Much back and neck pain, for example, is the result of the muscles being chronically cramped. Helicrysum contains a natural chemical called 'neryl acetate' which acts to relax these cramped muscles. Helichryum italicum essential oils contain in the range of 5% to 50% neryl acetate. This natural chemical is from a group of compounds called Esters, found in a great many relaxing essential oils -- most notably that of Lavender, the most widely-studied and highly revered 'relaxing' essential oil.
The 'serotinum' sub-species is nearly all grown on the island of Corsica (the island is well-known for its bounty of many high quality, therapeutic essential oils). The Corsican variety has the highest neryl acetate levels of all, in the range of 25-50%. Some aromatherapists believe this makes this Helichrysum type the most valuable for its more esoteric applications, that of relieving deep emotional wounds. And this may have a solid foundation, in that many therapies, such as yoga and massage, acknowledge that emotional trauma is often 'held' in the physical body. Releasing muscle and connective tissue tension (which can happen even on the smallest, cellular levels) is crucial to the healing process, as it allows the movement of damaged material OUT, and new healthy material IN.
Regeneration
Helichrysum contains molecules regarded for their ability to signal our cells to heal and regenerate. These compound are called 'di-ketones', of which Helichrysum specifically contains several Italidiones. You'll find the essential oil an ingredient in nearly every wound healing and scar reducing formula in aromatherapy. (It should not be used on open wounds due to its anticoagulant effects, but is suitable once an injury is no longer likely to bleed). These same regenerative di-ketones make the oil an excellent choice for all sorts of skin-care recipes; the regenerative action can be complemented by a carrier oil like Rosehip seed, whose carotene content also supports skin healing -- these two oils together form the foundation of many anti-aging skin care blends.
Anti-Hematoma, Bruise Preventative
A wonderful effect for all us accident prone folks is the bruise prevention offered by Helichrysum. Keeping a little of the oil on hand at all times is a smart way to keep ourselves injury-free. An application or two of the oil on any part of the body experiencing physical trauma can profoundly speed healing by preventing the formation of a hematoma, a bruised area where blood flow almost comes to a halt. For athletes twisting an ankle, for example, the oil can significantly reduce the swelling that occurs in the minutes after the injury, speeding healing by quickening the nutrient/waste exchange in the area. ANY blunt injury (walking into furniture in the middle of the night, or hitting your head on an open kitchen cabinet are but two common examples) will greatly benefit both in terms of healing time AND immediate pain reduction. (An important safety note: it is due to this anti-coagulant action that folks taking blood-thinning medication should check with their physician before use. It is likely that small topical applications of the oil should not pose a problem).
Personal Experiences and Anecdotal Reports
Personal and anecdotal experience with Helichrysum essential oil confirms its purported healing actions. A user with chronic neck pain from a sever auto accident found relief within minutes of massaging the essential oil at 100% into the stiff and painful vertebrae. Other users find their sports-related injuries to heal more quickly, and are less likely to become chronic overuse conditions. Application after simple burns in the kitchen leads to quick pain relief and fast healing. Another user reported While the scientific evaluation of Helichrysum's effects are yet to be performed, this is no reason to avoid trying this essential oil for yourself -- the conventional thinkers firmly believed the Earth was flat for a very long time!
Author Resource:-
Extensive research has been done on the therapeutic benefits of natural botanicals on immunity and overall well-being. To learn more read the author's aromatherapy blog.
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