| e United States, common use of the term | | | | dilution in a common base oil applied thereafter; the oil |
| 'Aromatherapy' is a bit misleading. The practice has | | | | is safe to use as frequently as desired. |
| been given a 'touchy-feely', 'soft-science' status to | | | | Helichrysum is included in many therapeutic blends for |
| the general public through mainstream media. With | | | | the skin. It is considered anti-inflammatory, tissue |
| progressive natural health practitioners, and | | | | regenerating and a cicatrisant (scar reducing). To |
| throughout much of the rest of the world, the | | | | treat scars, old and new, use 25 drops Helichrysum, |
| therapeutic use of essential oils has a more elevated, | | | | 25 drops Rosemary Verbenone and 75 drops |
| scientifically-backed status. In the realm of medical | | | | Calophyllum (Tamanu) in each ounce of Hazelnut oil. |
| aromatherapy, Helichrysum italicum essential oil holds | | | | Apply regularly to the scar; this formula is even used |
| an important place for its broad range of healing | | | | for smoothing of old keloid scars over a period of six |
| actions, which can benefit individuals from many | | | | months. For additional support, add 75 drops of |
| walks of life. | | | | Rosehip seed oil to the blend. Helichrysum is used in |
| There are many, many species of the Helichrysum | | | | blends to reduce stretch marks after pregnancy: Use |
| plant; it is crucial to find oil distilled from a particular | | | | a 3% dilution of Helichrysum oil in Hazelnut with 20% |
| variety for therapeutic use. The most healing | | | | Rosehip seed as the base and apply regularly. During |
| essential oil is extracted from the small golden | | | | pregnancy, a low dilution blend (1% total essential oils) |
| flowers of the Helichrysum ‘italicum’ | | | | of Neroli and Cypress in Hazelnut oil is recommended |
| species, with the ‘serotinum’ | | | | to prevent the marks from occurring. Hemorrhoids |
| sub-species being the most highly regarded. Though | | | | may be relieved with 1% Helichrysum and 1% |
| oils from other Helichrysum species are available, their | | | | German Chamomile in Sesame oil. Allergic skin |
| therapeutic actions are not as dramatic. To make | | | | reactions and eczema may be calmed with 1% each |
| matters more complicated, Helichrysum essential oil is | | | | Helichrysum and Blue Tansy essential oils in Hazelnut |
| also known as ‘Immortelle’ and | | | | oil. |
| ‘Everlasting’ – check the Latin | | | | Helichrysum essential oil is indicated for many other |
| name to be sure of the oil’s source. | | | | conditions, and should be discussed with your |
| Helichrysum italicum is found growing wild around the | | | | healthcare provider to see if it makes sense as an |
| Mediterranean, where fine grades of the essential oil | | | | adjunct therapy. The oil may ease symptoms of |
| are distilled. With growth in the oil’s popularity, | | | | neuralgia through its regenerative and analgesic |
| exceptional oils are now being produced in North | | | | properties – apply a 3% dilution of the oil in |
| America as well, with laboratory credentials and | | | | Hazelnut or Jojoba to tingling or painful areas. It may |
| brilliant aromas to prove it. As with many other | | | | offer support for other physical conditions such as |
| essential oils, it is the care taken in the growing of | | | | fibromyalgia and arthritis in a similar concentration, |
| the plant and use of precise distillation techniques | | | | with added warming oils may be added for improved. |
| that make an oil ‘therapeutic grade’; | | | | Helichrysum acts as an anti-coagulant, and is |
| where different geographical locations can sometimes | | | | supportive of the veins. It is considered effective for |
| produce different ‘chemotypes’ of | | | | reducing tinnitus: a drop is placed on a cotton ball and |
| essential oils, this does not seem to be the case with | | | | put in the ear each night for two weeks – |
| Helichrysum. As is also the case with most essential | | | | some recommend simply placing a drop on the pinky |
| oils, a pleasing, well-rounded, natural aroma is | | | | and massaging the ear canal. The antispasmodic and |
| indicative of its healing potency. | | | | decongestive actions help with coughs, colds and |
| So what are the wonderful healing effects of this oil? | | | | asthma. It also can offer great support for stress |
| Helichrysum has a brilliant synergy of naturally active | | | | related exhaustion and headaches. |
| molecular ingredients. It is the only essential oil known | | | | More esoterically, the oil may be used |
| to contain regenerative ‘di-ketones’, | | | | ‘aroma’ therapeutically for those with |
| chemicals which signal living tissues to heal | | | | emotional pain, and physical pain or conditions |
| themselves. Other oils contain ketone molecules, but | | | | associated with the emotional wounding. It is |
| these can be harmful in high amounts. Helichrysum oil | | | | particularly noted to support release of deeply rooted |
| and its components are totally benign and regarded | | | | or stuck emotions such as enduring resentment, |
| as completely safe. Helichrysum also contains | | | | suppressed anger, or a persistently bitter or negative |
| curcumene molecules recently being studied for their | | | | attitude. Massage is the most healing of modalities for |
| strong anti-inflammatory properties, and | | | | employing the oil, as healing touch can affect the |
| ‘spasmolytic esters’ (muscle and | | | | psyche as much as the body. Use the oil at a low |
| tissue relaxants). | | | | concentration in any common massage base alone or |
| The oil has a great variety of applications due to this | | | | with other soothing essential oils such as Lavender or |
| broad range of action: “The pain-reducing, | | | | Chamomile. |
| analgesic, and regenerative effect is unique” | | | | So as you can see, Helichrysum is well-suited to a |
| states Dr. Schnaubelt. It is regularly used for skin, | | | | great many individuals concerned with natural health, |
| muscle and connective tissue injuries and healing with | | | | wellness and fitness. Whether you’ve got |
| profound results. As noted in ‘Medical | | | | active children, you’re active sports |
| Aromatherapy’: “Generally, | | | | enthusiast or have one in your family, you’re |
| Helichrysum italicum works for all conditions in which | | | | healing your skin or improving its appearance, or have |
| inflamed tissue needs to be calmed down and | | | | other muscular, nerve, joint or vascular conditions, |
| regenerated.” | | | | Helichrysum italicum oil may offer welcome healing |
| The oil is exceptionally handy for moms with little | | | | action. Helichrysum can be applied regularly, as it is a |
| sports enthusiasts where bumps and bruises seem to | | | | safe essential oil with no contraindications. The oil is |
| be a regular part of their game. A little Helichrysum oil | | | | still relatively rare, and the flowers only yields a small |
| immediately applied on the hurt area can prevent a | | | | amount, so the cost may seem a little high - but a |
| bruise from even appearing, and if applied later (and | | | | little goes a long way. It is only used undiluted in |
| perhaps several times over the next couple of days) | | | | acute situations; otherwise a low dilution is often |
| can significantly speed healing. Of course, the effect | | | | used. Helichrysum italicum is one of |
| isn’t limited to little ones – the oil is | | | | aromatherapy’s stand-out healing oils, coming |
| growing in popularity for folks of all ages that are into | | | | highly recommended by many natural healers, and |
| sports and fitness, for use with acute and chronic | | | | deserves a place in nearly everyone’s |
| injuries alike. Most often, the oil should be used | | | | medicine chest. |
| ‘neat’ right away, then a 5-10% | | | | |