These are two essential oils with different properties, derived from plants of different botanical subspecies! These two essential oils do not have the same biochemical compositions and do not have the same active molecules. Italian Helichrysum, Helichrysum italicum, is known for its powerful anti-coagulant and anti-hematoma action, as well as its regenerating and healing properties for the skin. Madagascan Helichrysum, Helichrysum gymnocephalum, is known to stimulate the body's natural defenses and restore energy during periods of winter infections.
Helichrysum (immortelle): Benefits, properties, and uses
An iconic Mediterranean flower with a recognizable scent of hay and curry, Italian Helichrysum, Helichrysum italicum, is known for its healing properties on bruises, bumps, and contusions. Alongside arnica, it is a must-have in any natural medicine cabinet. Widely used in cosmetics, Italian helichrysum is suitable for all skin types. Renowned for its anti-aging properties, thanks to its regenerating and healing qualities, it also soothes skin prone to redness and acne. Discover the benefits of Immortelle and how to use it for your health, well-being, and natural beauty rituals.
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100 ml
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250 g
In short:
Italian Helichrysum, also known as Immortelle, is recognized for its effectiveness on bruises, bumps, and contusions, while also being highly prized in cosmetics for its repairing, regenerating, and soothing properties on all skin types.
It can be used in several forms: as an essential oil (always diluted), as a macerate or hydrosol, which are gentler and can be applied undiluted: they promote skin repair, decongest and are even suitable for sensitive skin.
The article specifies risk profiles, particularly for pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as precautions to take in case of allergy or prolonged use, to ensure optimal safety in your natural routine.
A medicinal plant known since ancient times
From the Greek helios, "sun" and chrysos, "gold," Italian Helichrysum, also known as Italian Immortelle or Corsican Immortelle, grows in small clumps throughout the Mediterranean region. Its name, Immortelle, comes from its flowers, which do not wilt after being picked.
In ancient Greek times, Helichrysum flowers symbolized love and were used to crown statues of Apollo. Helichrysum was already being used in the form of solar macerates, poultices, and ointments to promote the healing of wounds and scars. The ancients also made decoctions with its flowering tops to clear the respiratory tract and for their diuretic action.
In herbal medicine, the golden-yellow flower heads are used in the form of dried plants, Helichrysum essential oil, Helichrysum oil macerate (sometimes commonly called immortelle oil) or Helichrysum hydrosol (Helichrysum floral water).
Italian Helichrysum
Helichrysum italicum is the most famous and prized subspecies of Helichrysum, particularly for its essential oil from Corsica. An essential in aromatherapy, this essential oil is renowned for its powerful properties: anticoagulant, circulatory, anti-hematoma, anti-inflammatory, and healing.
The most sought-after species is Helichrysum italicum ssp.italicum, Italian or Corsican immortelle,which has the most interesting composition for skincare. Its complex and exceptional biochemical composition is linked to the terroir on which the plant grows, the nature of the soil, the climate, and the amount of sunshine.
Exceptional products, Aroma-Zone's organic Italian Helichrysum essential oil and hydrosol both come from the Isle of Beauty. To find out more and discover their history, read our article Stéphane's Italian Helichrysum, Corsica's little sun
Several types of Helichrysum, different properties
There are several sources of Helichrysum on the market. Did you know that there are more than 300 herbaceous or shrubby species of the Helichrysum genus? Depending on their origin, Helichrysum essential oils will not have the same active molecule compositions and will therefore not have the same properties. If you are looking for Corsican Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum), be careful not to confuse it with Balkan Helichrysum (Helichrysum angustifolium) or Madagascar Helichrysum (Helichrysum gymnocephalum). Each of these essential oils has a different chemotype (i.e., biochemical composition) in aromatherapy. So remember to check the botanical name of the plant before purchasing a Helichrysum product.
Its active ingredients under the microscope
Italian Helichrysum essential oil from Corsica is distinguished by its high content of terpene esters, particularly neryl acetate (more than 30%), which has powerful analgesic and anti-edema properties.
The italidione molecule (more than 8%) contributes its healing properties.
These molecules work in synergy with monoterpenes: alpha-pinene has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and vasodilatory properties, which contribute to the anti-hematomaaction of Italian Helichrysum essential oil.
What are the benefits of the Immortelle plant?
The Italian Helichrysum plant, and in particular its essential oil, offers a wide range of benefits, from healing minor bumps, bruises, and trauma to skin care and soothing emotional shocks.
Among its many properties, the following actions can be mentioned:
blood thinner, circulatory
anti-coagulant
anti-edema
powerful natural analgesic (pain relief)
anti-hematoma
healing
anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic
liver support
mucolytic (clears the bronchial tubes) and anti-catarrhal
calming and balancing for the nervous system, anxiolytic
Natural health: Helichrysum, an essential part of your natural medicine cabinet
Pain: A powerful natural pain reliever, Helichrysum essential oil can provide relief for: pain (sprains, blows, trauma, phlebitis, varicose veins, etc.); inflammation of the tendons and joints (tendinitis, rheumatism, arthritis, etc.).
Bruises: After a blow, blow, fall, or minor injury, use Italian Helichrysum essential oil or Helichrysum hydrosol to: reduce recent or old bruises and contusions; prevent bruises, contusions, and bumps from forming immediately after a blow or fall; promote healing of minor wounds.
Circulatory problems: If you suffer from heavy legs, varicose veins, or phlebitis, Helichrysum, with its anticoagulant and blood-thinning properties, can: help relieve the feeling of heavy legs: promote the reduction of varicose veins, phlebitis, edema, Raynaud's disease, etc.
Respiratory comfort: In cases of rhinitis, bronchitis, or congestion of the lower respiratory tract, it can help restore respiratory comfort and clear the bronchial tubes thanks to its anti-catarrhal and mucolytic action.
Skin care: Helichrysum, anti-aging and healing
Suitable for acne-prone skin as well as mature or sensitive skin prone to redness, Helichrysum, in the form of essential oil or hydrosol, will bring the following benefits to your skincare routine:
Promotes skin healing
Prevents and reduces wrinkles and fine lines
Prevents and reduces acne scars
Calms redness in skin prone to couperose and rosacea
Reduces recent stretch marks
Well-being: Helichrysum to soothe emotional shocks
In psycho-energetic olfactotherapy, Helichrysum is known to help heal emotional wounds. You can use Helichrysum essential oil or Immortelle floral water to:
Soothe emotional shocks (breakups, separations, bereavements)
Promote intuition and creativity
Help regain confidence and grounding in life
Help you get through difficult situations and move on to new stages in life
Organic Italian Helichrysum essential oil from Corsica
Helichrysum italicum essential oil should be diluted, mixed with a vegetable oil, applied to the skin, or incorporated into a cosmetic product. This essential oil should not be used in a diffuser or taken orally.
To quickly soothe a bruise, dilute one drop of Italian Helichrysum essential oil in a few drops of vegetable oil or macerate (St. John's Wort, Arnica, etc.) and apply by massaging into the bruise.St. John's Wort, Arnica, etc.) and massage into the bruise.
To relieve heavy legs and varicose veins, mix 30 drops of Italian Helichrysum essential oil in 10 ml of Calophyllum inophyllum vegetable oil and 30 ml of Hazelnut vegetable oil and massage into the legs and ankles.
For your skincare routine, add Italian Helichrysum essential oil to your recipes for anti-redness face cream or by customizing the neutral youth cream , for example, with 17 drops of essential oil for a 50ml jar of cream.
Warning
Please note: always follow the recommended dosages and consult the precautions for use and contraindications before using essential oils (see the bottom of this article, the Essential Oils Guide, and the product page for our organic Italian Helichrysum essential oil from Corsica).
Italian Helichrysum oil macerate
Obtained by macerating Italian Helichrysum flowers in vegetable oil, Corsican Helichrysum oil macerate is packed with the plant's active ingredients, without the contraindications of essential oil. This immortelle oil can be used pure on the skin, as a regenerating facial treatment or as a soothing treatment to be massaged onto bruises and contusions to help them heal.
Focus on Aroma-Zone's Organic Italian Helichrysum Floral Elixir
A precious infusion of Italian Helichrysum flowers in organic safflower oil, which is antioxidant and regenerating. This concentrated facial treatment can be used as a youth serum with anti-aging and revitalizing properties, ideal for mature or sensitive skin.
Italian Helichrysum hydrosol
Obtained by steam distillation of the flowering tops, organic Italian Helichrysum hydrosol from Corsica, also known as Helichrysum floral water, offers benefits similar to Italian Helichrysum essential oil while being gentler and easier to use. For external use, it is suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding women as well as children to relieve minor ailments.
In a facial lotion, it soothes sensitive skin, calms redness and itching, revitalizes and firms the skin. Applied as a compress, it reduces dark circles and puffiness under the eyes thanks to its decongestant and circulatory action. Helichrysum extract is also found in Aroma-Zone 5% Caffeine & Helichrysum Eye Contour Serum.
To make an anti-rosacea mask, mix organic Italian Helichrysum hydrosol from Corsica with white clay, leave on the face for 5 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
In terms of health, it helps bruises and bumps disappear when applied as a compress to small hematomas and bruises. You can also clean small wounds with Helichrysum hydrosol.
Sprayed on the legs, it relieves the feeling of heavy legs.
The scent of Corsican Helichrysum hydrosol is also known to soothe bruises of the soul.
Italian Helichrysum infusion
Dried Helichrysum herbal tea is uncommon and reserved for therapeutic use, on the advice of your phytotherapist or healthcare professional.
The precautions below relate to the use of Italian Helichrysum essential oil:
Do not use on pregnant or breastfeeding women, children under 6 years of age, or people with epilepsy.
Internal use is reserved for therapists and should only be used as a short-term treatment.
Avoid use in people taking anticoagulant medication.
Avoid contact with the eyes.
Keep out of reach of children.
As a general rule, always test your preparation on the inside of your elbow at least 48 hours before use.
Store your bottle of essential oil away from light and heat.
Spotlight on our Naturopathic editor, Lucie Granjon
Passionate about plants and their properties, she started her career as a perfumer before moving to the world of natural beauty and aromatherapy over 10 years ago. Lucie supports ethical and committed brands with strategy development, product formulation and expert advice for their customers. She has worked with the Aroma-Zone team on several books, including "Le grand guide de l'Aromathérapie et des cosmétiques naturels" ("The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy and Natural Cosmetics"). She also has years of training in aromatherapy, herbalism and essential oil distillation, and supports the work of French plant growers.
