Helichrysum Italicum Essential Oil Monograph & Profile

Family: Asteraceae (Compositae – daisy family)

Latin Binomial: Helichrysum italicum

Synonyms: Helichrysum angustifolium

Other Species: Helichrysum bracteiferum, Helichrysum gymnocephalum

Common Names: Everlasting, immortelle, curry plant, Elicriso, St. John’s Herb (different from St. John’s Wort)

Source of Extraction:

Helichrysum italicum essential oil is extracted through steam distillation of the flowers and flower tops. An absolute (and concrete) is also derived from the plant through solvent extraction.

Type: An essential oil and absolute is extracted from the plant.

Substitute Essential Oils: Possible substitutes of helichrysum italicum essential oil includes frankincense, cistus, and cypress

Aroma Intensity: Medium

Perfumery Note: Heart to Base (Medium-Base)

Aroma Description: Sweet, honey-like aroma. Helichrysum italicum essential oil wears a woody-earthy richness. It’s also warm and dry, with a floral, tea-like fragrance.

Ideal Blends: Helichrysum italicum essential oil blends well with German and Roman Chamomile, lavender, bergamot, clary sage, mimosa, geranium, vetiver, ylang-ylang, cypress, frankincense, clove, Peru balsam, sweet orange, grapefruit.

Reported Therapeutic Properties/Benefits of Helichrysum Italicum Essential Oil

Mental exhaustion & slight burnout
Reduces skin inflammation
Effective in killing some bacteria and fungi, namely Candida albicans
Strong potential as a wound healing and bruising agent (especially the absolute)
May aid skin regeneration in scars after surgery
Possibly antiaging
May contain antioxidant properties
Toxic against the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus larvae)
Exhibits insect repellent action against the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes Aegypti).
May provide relief in those with contact dermatitis, especially as a study showed that it inhibited “contact dermatitis in different animal models” (Sala, 2001; Ríoset al., 2005).

Activities of Helichrysum Italicum Essential Oil:

Helichrysum italicum essential oil is said to be:

Anti-inflammatory
Antimicrobial (antifungal & anti-bacterial)
Antioxidant
Fungicidal
Skin regenerator (collagen stimulant)
Dermal restorative

Key Chemical Compounds of Helichrysum Italicum Essential Oil

Major chemical compounds found in helichrysum italicum essential oil includes nerol, neryl acetate, α–Cedrene, Geranyl acetate, α-Curcumene, Limonene, α-Pinene, geraniol

Associated Hazard: No known hazard associated with helichrysum italicum essential oil. The oil is said to be non-irritating and non-toxic. In fact, research suggests that helichrysum italicum essential oil is well-tolerated, even after extensive use.

Topical Maximum Use: Helichrysum italicum essential oil did not show genotoxic reaction when used up to 0.3% (Idaomar et al., 2002). Tisserand & Young suggest using the essential oil at a dermal maximum of 0.5% (Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals)

Safety Notes: There’s not enough research to suggests that helichrysum italicum essential oil cannot be used in individuals with certain comorbidities or may interact with certain drugs.