Immortelle Oil

Immortelle oil, also known as Helichrysum Italicum, Helichrysum Angustifolium, or St John’s herb, is extracted by steam distillation from the flowers and flowering tops of the plant. The plant is mainly cultivated in the Mediterranean regions, such as Italy, France, Spain, and in the countries of former Yugoslavia (Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina) where is known under the name of Smilje. It is quite a strongly scented herb, more than half a meter high with the much-branched stem. Helichrysum retains its bright yellow colour even when it matures and dries, leading middle ages medicine men to believe that it is immortal, hence the name.

Traditionally, it is used for respiratory problems, such as bronchitis, asthma and indigestion, usually in form of infusion. It has been used to treat skin conditions, even as serious as psoriasis, however, some users with highly sensitive skin could find this oil as a bit of an irritant. Some evidence suggests that the oil may help reduce inflammation, help wound healing and, especially in treating colds and coughs indirectly with a difuser. It has a honeylike sweet scent, which occasionally can be smoky too.

This oil, in its purest, natural form is extracted by steam distillation from the fresh flowers and its tops.

In aromatherapy it is used in:

- Skin care: treating acne, burns, eczema, wounds etc.
- Muscle and joint problems: relieving muscular aches, rheumatism, sprains.
- Respiratory problems: asthma, chronic coughs, bronchitis.
- Digestive system problems: liver and spleen congestion.
- Nervous systems problems: depression, lethargy, neuralgia, etc.

Pure Helichrysum Italicum oil (the one we sell) is very seldom used like that. If you apply it to the skin and want to avoid eventual allergic reactions, it is recommended Immortelle Oil to be blended with the carrier oil (3 drops of immortelle to 1 drop of carrier). If you use a diffuser to inhale the mist from the oil, keep children, animals and pregnant women away.

The health benefits of the oil are quite well known, however, most of them are based on laboratory finding that weren’t done on humans. Therefore, use helichrysum essential oil with caution. As mentioned above, diluting or using diffuser is the best way.

Never, ever take the oil by mouth.

The immortelle essential oil we sell is known both as Helichrysum Italicum and Smilje and it comes from the Mediterranean. Its scent is quite sweet and smoky.