Could Helichrysum be the Number 1 Healing Essential Oil?
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Lavender is a well-known, often used essential oil. Besides being inexpensive, its healing properties are legendary and it is usually the first oil you are told to have on hand for any situation.
However, there is another contender that has not been mentioned enough, one that is also a powerful healing essential oil.
In fact, according to David Crow from Floracopeia:
“This is a serious, serious healing oil. Because of that I now rank helichrysum oil to be the number one healing oil that I know about.”
French aromatherapist Daniel Penoel referred to Helichrysum italicum as:
“The Super Arnica of Aromatherapy”.
This knowledge, and the fact that Helichrysum is less unknown compared to Lavender, led me to be intrigued.
So I’ve been doing some digging and indeed helichrysum essential oil has impressive therapeutic functions. Let’s take a look.
Helichrysum Essential Oil Therapeutic Benefits
1. Wound Healing
Helichrysum essential oil (HEO) promotes the healing of wounds by stimulating cell regeneration.
2. Skin regeneration
HEO may also promote faster skin regeneration. For example, one study found that HEO promoted faster re-epithelialization of skin and greater expression of epidermal genes.
3. Scar tissue resolving
In addition to promoting faster wound healing, HEO may also help resolve scars (3).
Biodynamic farmer and author Patricia Damery has used the helichrysum hydrosol to resolve old scar tissue on her knees from over twenty years ago in order to decrease the area of hypertrophic scarring and promote better re-epithelialization.
4. Circulation
HEO has been shown to promote vasodilation.
Here’s an interesting paper on researchers studying the cardiovascular effects of Helichrysum ceres S Moore, see here.
5. Pain Relief & Skin Healing After Burns & Cuts
HEO also works well for wound healing after burns or cuts.
The oil will help boost circulation, form a protective barrier, reduce inflammation and promote better healing.
6. Antibacterial & Antifungal
HEO may help with fungal infections due to its antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
For example, in one study, the researchers found that HEO has shown potent antibacterial activity against Gram positives.
7. Anti-inflammatory
HEO is a very effective anti-inflammatory, making it a valuable oil for inflammatory conditions such as arthritis or when applied topically for inflammation of the skin being able to help heal scars and skin eruptions.
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the aerial part of Helichrysum italicum extracts have been established in different experiments.
8. Pain
HEO can be very helpful for pain relief. Being an effective anti-inflammatory it will help with joint pain as well as arthritis conditions and general sprains and also strains.
9. Swelling and Bruising
HEO also helped speed up the healing process of wounds, reducing swelling and bruising when applied to bruises and swelling caused by injuries or other medical conditions.
10. Soft Tissue Injuries
HEO has traditionally been used for soft tissue injuries, but due to its antifungal and antibacterial properties, it can also be helpful in repairing wounds that are often caused by injuries or surgery.
11. Cold & Skin Infection
HEO may also help treat colds, coughs and skin infections.
Besides being an antibacterial essential oil, HEO was found to exhibit antioxidant properties. These two properties make it possible for HEO to support the immune system as well as fight against viruses.
12. Digestive System
In addition to its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, HEO is also a good choice for digestive system support.
For example, researchers found that HEO can help stop intestinal spasms.
13. De-stressing & Anti-depressant
HEO has a beautiful, soothing, healing aroma.
This makes it a good choice for stress and anxiety reduction. It has also been proven to have an anti-depressant effect.
14. Anti-aging Effects
Helichrysum is considered to be an anti-aging oil. This is due to its antioxidant properties and ability to reduce wrinkles, scarring and age spots.
Helichrysum is a wonderful oil to add to your anti-aging routine. It can be used in skin care products (anti-aging skin products), added to your bath water or diffused.
15. Spiritual Powers
Helichrysum may be a powerful addition to your essential oil collection.
The italidiones in helicrysum italicums are highly prized for their spiritual and psychic properties.
Known as “The Healer”, it will help you overcome trauma, bad memories, abuse, loss, grief… Inhale or use in your diffuser (5-6 drops).
How to Use Helichrysum Essential Oil
For Injuries
Helichrysum is simply first aid for your body. It will help with cuts, soft tissue injuries, burns, fractured bones, tears, gashes, wounds… Just apply directly into the open wound or on the broken, injured skin. 2-3 drops 3 times a day until the area is healed.
For Skincare
Its antiaging properties are amazing. It can be used in a lot of skincare products. Add 3 drops to your favourite cream, emulsion or serum and apply. You can also use neat: 3 drops into the palm of your hands, rub and apply to your face, neck and decolletage (don’t forget the back of your hands). Twice a week as part of your skincare routine.
It will:
- reduce blemishes
- reduce fine lines and wrinkles
- reduce sun spots
- give you a vibrant, fresh skin glow
Here’s a very helpful. video by My Oil Lab. Very simple and a quick overview of what it does and how to use it.
Here are a couple of photos of the lavender and helichrysum plants that I have! Enjoy 🙂
Helichrysum Essential Oil
Helichrysum essential oil is expensive (much more expensive than lavender) but it is well worth the extra cost. It’s been used by healers for thousands of years and is a wonderful addition to your essential oil collection.
This is a USDA Certified Organic, Undiluted, Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil.
Check Out My Top 10 Essential Oils List Here!
Want To Know About Essential Oil Amounts for Your DIY Products?
Check Out My List of Anti-Ageing Essential Oils here!
We should all be using these oils in our daily skincare routine. Whether it’s to do with our fine lines and wrinkles, acne or as part of our daily beauty regime, essential oils are great to use.
Love,
Patri ❤️💕
Resources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5506734/
https://tisserandinstitute.org/learn-more/helichrysum-different-species/
