Helichrysum (curry plant) for skin, bruises and well-being

A medicinal plant known since ancient times

From the Greek helios, meaning “sun”, & chrysos, meaning “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 symbolised love & were used to crown statues of Apollo. Helichrysum was already used in the form of solar macerates, poultices, & ointments to promote the healing of wounds & scars. Decoctions made from its flowering tops were also used to clear the respiratory tract & for their diuretic action.

In herbal medicine, the golden-yellow flower heads are used in various forms, including 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

1. 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.).

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

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). 

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.

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.

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.