The Healing Help of Helichrysum

"Hands down, helichrysum is the most used oil in our home.  If I had to choose just two oils that surpass all the rest, it would be Helichrysum and Lavender." -Brittany

If there was ever an oil that was truly worth its weight in gold, this would be it.  The effectiveness of helichrysum in the regeneration process and in pain relief places this oil heads and tails above the rest.  

Helichrysum is most widely used for is its regenerative qualities.  It increases your body's ability to heal itself (2), earning the nickname "liquid stitching."  Because helichrysum is a cell regenerator that rejuvenates the skin (5), it is ideal for treating a broad spectrum of injuries and skin conditions. These range from minor things like small cuts and bruises, to more severe issues such as sprains and hematomas. (4)

Helichrysum is listed in The Basic Care Kit for Children as one of “the twelve most useful essential oils to have in the home.” (1)  The helichrysum plant has lots of different varieties, but only the honey-sweet smelling H. italicum is used to make essential oil.  The “Everlasting flowers”  that produce helichrysum essential oil are popular among floral arrangers, and the oil is sometimes used in soaps and cosmetics because of it's sweet aroma. (2)

Helichrysum is most active and gives the best therapeutic benefits when used in conjunction with other oils.  It blends well with chamomile, citrus oils, clary sage, clove, frankincense, geranium and lavender, to name a few.  It can be used in blends to treat acne, allergic reactions such as hives, and several other skin conditions. (3)

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Nicknamed "liquid stitching", Helichrysum essential oil increases your body's ability to rejuvenate and heal itself because it is a cell regenerator. (2,5)

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It is also non-toxic and safe to use even on sensitive skin, so it is awesome for kids!  Which is nice since they tend to get bumps and bruises more than the rest of us. ;-) (2)  Have you ever wondered what to use for your little one’s asthma, cough, bronchitis or even whooping cough?  Then you are going to want to go with helichrysum, lavender and mandarin!  (3)

Helichrysum can be used in a bath or as massage oil for achy joints or muscles.  It may even relieve pain from arthritis and rheumatism.  95% eucalyptus with 5% helichrysum, diluted in carrier oil should do the trick.  

Helichrysum is also a lovely option to use as a part of a non-irritating, firming skin care routine. (2)

Its anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and antiseptic properties make it useful for all of these things and more.  Shock, phobia, lethargy and stress can also all be positively affected by this oil’s antidepressant qualities. (3)

If you have small wounds, like scratches or scrapes from shaving, you can use helichrysum to staunch the bleeding.  If you allow it to bleed for 30 seconds or so before applying the oil, it can help push unwanted dirt and bacteria out of the wound before it closes up.  Helichrysum is a strong hemostatic, and relatively non-irritant so it can be applied directly to the wound.  Only use this method for minor injuries though... if you have a deep cut or blood is spurting, you should probably seek medical help... let's not get crazy. ;-)