Helichrysum

Helichrysum oil is expensive, so why do we love it so much? Because it is THE best oil for healing, which makes it worth every penny spent on it. Distilled from the daisy like flower of the evergreen plant, this oil has a strong, aromatic sweet scent with medicinal undertones. Breathe it in deep. Let it smooth out the lines in your forehead.

There a couple of different Helichrysum oils that are more commonly sold -- Helichrysum gymnocephalum and Helichrysum italicum. In general, they can be interchanged. The following are the differences:

• Gymnocephelum: Good for pain, bruising, and inflammation. Not as good for open wounds.
• Italicum: Does the above as well as wound healing and nerve regeneration. This one is best for major injuries or healing up quicker.

Combines Well With

Lavender, Orange, Lemon, Lime, Tangerine, Bergamot, Red Mandarin, Grapefruit, Rosemary, Geranium, Rose Geranium, Clove Bud, Clary Sage

Tips

• Also known as Immortelle and Everlast
• Long tradition of therapeutic use, in particular to help chronic immune complaints, and headaches and skin problems.
• Relaxing. Helps you reduce stress.
• Relieves aches and pains, and menstrual discomfort.
• Helichrysum Italicum is good for nerves.
• Non-toxic, non-irritant, can be used on nearly all skin types.
• Is a great skin oil. Helps rejuvenate skin and encourages new cell growth.
• Increase muscle endurance.
• Works best when it's mixed with other oils, which is good since it is a pretty expensive oil.
• Stimulates the liver, gall bladder, pancreas, and kidneys, which makes it a good detoxifying oil.

Ways to Use

• Helichrysum Italicum is a great oil for healing open wounds and surgical scars. Apply 1-2 drops to scars twice each day until healed.
• Diffuse 2 drops Helichrysum and 4 drops Myrrh to ease mucusy coughs.
• Blend 1 drop Helichrysum with 3 drops Red Mandarin with 1/2 teaspoon of carrier oil and use as a moisturizer for dry skin.
• Has anticoagulant properties so it works great when treating bruises. (Recipe below). Can add 1-2 drops to a cold compress to treat a bruise.
• Has some of the strongest anti-inflammatory properties so it works great for sore muscles and arthritic joints (recipe below).

Recipes

Here are a few recipes involving Helichrysum oil. To check for more, you can click on Helichrysum italicum and/or Helichrysum gymnocephalum in the tagged section at the end of the article. That will show you all articles mentioning them. *Please note: With any recipe's involving bath or massage blends, always test on a small part of your skin first before using all over your body. Please be sure your skin can handle the blend before being covered in it.

Red and Blue Oil (for Bruises)

• 8 drops German Chamomile
• 5 drops Birch Bark or Wintergreen
• 3 drops Helichrysum italicum
• 2 drops Lemon
• 1 tablespoon Tamanu oil
• 1 tablespoon Rosehip Seed oil

Add all ingredients to a dark colored, glass bottle. Seal tightly and shake well for 2 minutes to blend. Label and place in a dark, cool location for 24 hours so the oils can synergize. Shake well before every use. Gently massage a few drops into newly bruised area that is exhibiting pain, heat, discoloration, and inflammation. Follow with an ice-cold compress or ice pack for 10-15 minutes. Do 3 or 4 times a day for the first 2 days, until swelling subsides. Continue until bruise heals, especially if the trauma was severe. Discard after 1 year.

Repair and Restore Elixir

• 7 drops Carrot Seed
• 7 drops Helichrysum gymnocephalum
• 6 drops Calendula
• 1 teaspoon Rose Hip Seed base oil
• 1 teaspoon Tamanu base oil
• 1 teaspoon Macadamia Nut base oil
• 1 tablespoon Apricot Kernel base oil

Add all ingredients to a dark colored, glass bottle. Seal and shake vigorously for 2 minutes. Set bottle in a dark, cool cabinet for 24 hours so oils can synergize. Morning and evening after cleansing, apply the appropriate toner, astringent, or hydrosol. While skin is still very damp, apply 3-5 drops of elixer into your skin, beginning with throat, then face, moving upward and outward. Wait 5 minutes before applying sunscreen, additional moisturizer or make-up. Discard after 6 months.

Ease Frustration and Anger

• 2 drops Helichrysum italicum
• 2 drops Rose
• 6 drops Sandalwood
• 1 tablespoon Carrier oil

Massage blend into shoulders and neck as needed.

Soothe Deep Emotional Stress

• 2 drops Helichrysum gymnocephalum
• 2 drops Rose
• 1 teaspoon Jojoba

Add formula to a warm/hot bath and soak for 30 minutes. Can also dissolve formula into 1/2 cup epsom salts and add to bath.

Repair Damaged Skin Formula

• 2 drops Helichrysum italicum
• 2 drops Roman Chamomile
• 4 drops Frankincense
• 1 tablespoon Shea Butter

Apply to affected areas daily. For skin damaged by Psoriasis, Eczema, or Ulceration.

Last of All

The Helichrysum oils are really quite amazing. How do you like to use them? What is your favorite thing to do with them? Please share in the comment section at the bottom of the page so that everyone else can learn from you. Disclaimer: Rocky Mountain Oils is not liable for any damage caused by use of these recipes. Each recipe was tested by employees of RMO and did not cause damage to home or person, but we still implore our customers to use caution before trying a recipe in their home. Test recipes on small areas before applying them to the entire surface and do not apply recipes to areas that are potentially sensitive (i.e. priceless Victorian tubs, Baby Grand pianos, etc.).