Helichrysum Essential Oil
Helichrysum is an essential oil that comes from one of the varieties of Helichrysum flower that can be found in Italy, France plus a few other European countries. Most people aren’t that familiar with Helichrysum essential oil because it is rare and difficult to find and it also is quite costly. There are other essential oils that can provide many of the same benefits that do not cost nearly as much but there are some unique benefits that Helichrysum essential oil provides and this particular essential oil has the advantage of being able to be stored for a long time, which is quite different than most.
The Basics about Helichrysum Essential Oil
Helichrysum is a medicinal plant that has been used for thousands of years to create cures and it has a number of benefits that are present in both the plant form and the essential oil. Two of the major benefits that Helichrysum provides are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, helichrysum italicum, or a particular type of Helichrysum essential oil, has been shown to be one of the most effective anti-inflammatory medicines available. Helichrysum is a member of the Asteraceae and first came to use in the Mediterranean mostly in Italy, Spain and Portugal.
How is Helichrysum Essential Oil Manufactured?
Helichrysum oil is created using a very simple process and one that is often used to make essential oils out of plants. The flowering part of the plant is processed through steam distillation but factors like indigenous growth, peak harvesting times and proper temperature and pressure are all factors which affect how good the essential oil is that is extracted.
Types of Helichrysum Essential Oil
There are actually several varieties of Helichrysum essential oil, and they offer separate benefits. Although the oils are all similar there are one or two unique things that only that particular essential oil has. For example, Helichrysum italicum helps to heal tissue and rejuvenate cells. Here are the varieties of Helichrysum that are used to create essential oils.
- Helichrysum italicum
- Helichrysum odoratissimum
- Helichrysum bracteiferum
- Helichrysum gymnocephalum
How to Use Helichrysum Essential Oil
There are several ways that you can use Helichrysum essential oil. You can use the undiluted form on the skin, but you should use caution in case of an allergic reaction. You can also inhale the oil directly from a bottle or by dabbing some onto a cloth. Some people also find that using a diffuser or adding several drops of essential oil to a warm bath is the best way to get the benefits of it. There are also some types of Helichrysum essential oil on the market that are sold in supplement form.
Composition of Helichrysum Essential Oil
Here is the chemical composition of Helichrysum essential oil:
- a-pinene
- camphene
- b-pinene
- myrcene
- limonene-1
- 8-cineole
- Linalool
- terpinen-4-ol
- neryl acetate
- nerol
- geraniol
- eugenol
- italidone
- b-diketones
Aromatic Description of Helichrysum Essential Oil
When it comes to the smell of Helichrysum essential oil, it is something that many people enjoy and it can be used in aromatherapy to evoke certain emotions or feelings. This essential oil can often make people think of their favorite relaxation spot because it provides tea and honey fragrances along with a slightly fruity smell. In addition, there is a smell of fresh straw associated with Helichrysum essential oil.
Precautions & Side Effects of Helichrysum Essential Oil
As always, there are a few things that you want to keep in mind when it comes to Helichrysum essential oil. Although it is regarded as one of the safest oils with no toxicity or irritation reported, you may want to test it on your skin before you use it. If you’re going to ingest it – or really use it in any way – you should be aware that Helichrysum essential oil has anticoagulant properties so that means that blood does not clot as well when you’re using it. This can be somewhat healthy and helpful but anyone who has just had surgery or has a chance that internal or externally bleeding will not stop, should avoid Helichrysum essential oil. There is also a warning that comes with giving it to children or women were pregnant.
Attributes of Helichrysum Essential Oil
This essential oil has a number of excellent benefits for health. But all of the benefits are not listed on the standard chart. This particular essential oil has some unique benefits that you won’t find with most other essential oils. As an example, Helichrysum essential oil is antitussive, which means that it helps prevent coughing. It is also antihaematoma, antiphlogistic and works as an anticoagulant as well as having antibiotic properties.
| Attribute | X | Definition |
| analgesic | Reduces pain in muscles and joints | |
| anti-arthritic | Reduces arthritis symptoms | |
| anti-infectious | Prevents infection | |
| anti-inflammatory | Reduces inflammation | |
| antibiotic | Keeps biotic infections from developing | |
| antidepressant | Helps to alleviate depression | |
| antiemetic | Prevents nausea and vomiting | |
| anti-galactogogue | Reduces milk supply in the body | |
| antifungal | X | Kills harmful fungal life forms |
| antimicrobial | X | Kills microbial life forms that cause disease |
| anti-neuralgic | Counteracts nerve pain | |
| anti-rheumatic | Counteracts pain from rheumatism | |
| antiseborrhoeic | Keeps the body from making an unhealthy amount of sebum | |
| antiseptic | X | Prevents growth of organisms which cause disease |
| antispasmodic | X | Prevents spasms from occurring |
| antiviral | Kills viral agents | |
| aperient | Relieves constipation | |
| aphrodisiac | Increases sexual desires | |
| astringent | Causes skin tissue to contract – to counter lines and wrinkles | |
| bactericidal | Kills bacterial agents | |
| carminative | Prevents formation of gas in the GI tract | |
| cholagogue | Assists with the discharge of bile | |
| cicatrisant | X | Assists in the formation of healthy scar tissue |
| circulatory | Promotes healthy circulatory system function | |
| diaphoretic | Induces perspiration | |
| decongestant | Reduces or eliminates congestions of nasal cavities | |
| deodorant | Eliminates and prevents body odor | |
| depurative | Helps to detoxify the body | |
| digestive | Helps with the digestion of food | |
| diuretic | X | Removes excess water from the body |
| expectorant | X | Loosens mucous and helps clear it from the body |
| emenagogue | Promotes healthy menstrual discharge | |
| febrifugeX | X | Aids in the reduction of fever |
| hepatic | Promotes healthy liver function | |
| hypotensive | Helps to lower blood pressure | |
| Insecticide | Kills certain types of insects or pests | |
| muscle relaxant | Relaxes tight muscles and prevents muscle spasms | |
| nervine | X | Reduces anxiety and calms the nerves |
| sedative | Aids in calming or induces sleepiness | |
| stimulant | Increases physiological or nervous system activity | |
| stomachic | Aids in a healthy appetite or digestion | |
| sudorific | Promotes or aids in activation of sweat glands | |
| tonic | Tones the skin or muscles | |
| vermifuge | Kills parasitic worms | |
| vulnerary | Promotes rapid healing of wounds |
What is Helichrysum Essential Oil Primarily Used For?
There are a lot of things that Helichrysum essential oil are primarily used for. The anti-inflammatory properties are one of the major reasons that so many health experts recommend this essential oil. The way that it lowers information is due to several different factors including inflammatory enzyme inhibition. This essential oil is also an excellent antibiotic and antifungal treatment for the skin and it helps to calm itching and heal wounds, killing bacteria and harmful fungus that cause skin problems. In addition, Helichrysum essential oil is an effective acne treatment and a cure for yeast infections and hemorrhoids. It also helps to detoxify the body.
Other Uses for Helichrysum Essential Oils
There are other benefits that Helichrysum essential oil provides. It can help with coughing, acting as an expectorant and even relieving congestion. It also helps to remove toxins from the liver and has been shown to help with a variety of conditions including: herpes, cystitis, arthritis, sinusitis, colitis, neuralgia and varicose veins. Many health experts also recommend Helichrysum essential oil as a treatment those who are quitting smoking or cutting down on caffeine consumption.
Recommended Combinations Involving Helichrysum Essential Oil
There are some great combinations that you can make when it comes to aromatherapy, combining Helichrysum essential oil with other oils like Rose, neroli, Orange, Sage, lavender and lime just to name a few. In fact, any other citrus oils or spice oils that you add to Helichrysum essential oil will probably turn out to be an amazing flavor combination. You may also want to try Jasmine, frankincense or even Sandalwood.
The Final Word on Helichrysum Essential Oil
When it comes to healthy essential oils that provide a myriad of benefits, you will not find too many that have a longer list of reasons to use them as Helichrysum essential oil. There are so many mental and physical conditions and body processes that are helped by Helichrysum that it should definitely be a staple in every alternative medicine library.
