Helichrysum spp.

Helichrysum spp.
Everlasting Flower. Perpétua-das-areias
Asteraceae Family

Southern Europe. Asia, Africa and Australia. Loves Dry Sun. Over 500 species (spp)

Helio, Greek for Sun & Chrysos meaning Golden. The sleeping Giant, that needs to be woken up!

Soft wood cuttings spring and autumn. Late Winter Cut back to one inch (2.5cm) of previous years growth. Or a Haircut\ tidy up.

Preparations: Essential oil, Infused oil. Tinctures. Teas. Essences. Incense. Baths. Massage oil. 
Floral arrangements. Potpourris.

Leaves & Flowers in all preparations. Essential oil made with only with the flowers.
Roots have been used esp in African traditions. 

Big in the cosmetic industry esp in creams for wrinkles. Perfumes. Mid note.

​Helichrysum italicum also known as H. angustifolia & H.serotinum (Curry plant\Immortelle) Perennial


Algeria, Baleares, Corse, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., France, Greece, Italy, Kriti, Morocco, Portugal, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, Croatia, Serbia.


Best viewed by Moonlight.


Opens the Heart to the unseen energies which affect our lives. Helps the walking wounded. Those who have lost connection with their Soul. Helps us to feel Safe as we fully expose ourselves.


Contains monoterpenes incl. pinene, camphene & limonene. Linaloo, Nerol & geraniol. Eugenol. Esters. 1.8- cineole. Sesquiterpenenes & Flavonoids.


Actions: antibacterial, antiviral. antifungal esp for excess candida, antihistamine. antiinflammatory, antispasmodic. Analgesic. Expectorant. Cleansing & Healing the liver & Gallbladder.


Increases the body’s ability to heal. Immune stimulant action


Skin healing & regeneration esp in scarring, psoriasis, eczema & allergic reactions. Bruises. Acne. Burns. Ulcers, open wounds. Bleeding wounds. Many say the deep psychological healing of the herb is equally of benefit to skin esp in Psoriasis. Skin wounds from chemotherapy.
Healthy scalp & Hair growth. Puffy & Swelling under eyes.


In cases of trauma neat essential oil can be applied or 10-50% in a carrier oil.
Very Safe oil. Sensitive skin. Baby’s skin.
Has been said to better than Arnica for bruising. Powerful anti bruising action.


Warming aromatic great for stomachache, fever, tension in the gut. Gastritis, colitis.
Liver tonic (Ceratonia Bitters). Malaria.


Colds & flu. Cough. Rhinitis, sinusitis, laryngitis, Bad breath. Asthma. Bronchitis. Whooping cough. Esp. for spasmodic cough. Cleans out the lungs. Hay fever. Cystitis. For varicose veins and good in diabetes & arthritis. Rheumatism. Muscular aches & pains.


Reduces Stress reaction in the body. Good for Weakness & Lethargy. Exhaustion. Debilitated.


For migraine headaches due to tension. Calms the nerves. Nervous depression. For insomnia.


Patience. Inner Strength and Awareness. Clarity around the obstacles that come in life and to keep going. Endurance & Courage. “Honey for the Psyche”


Essence: For those who have to think on their feet fast. Enhances new thinking, frees the mind of linear thought patterns. Can help those who lack spontaneity.
Increases self worth. Enhances the motivation to put ideas into action.


Culinary: slightly cooked leaves added to rice, vegetable & egg dishes. Fresh chopped up in salads, salsa verde. Gives a slightly curry flavour. Has been used to enhance fruit flavours in foods and drinks. Incl. Sangria. H. stoechas also noted as a culinary herb.


Interestingly, when mixed with mulberry (Morus spp., Moraceae) leaves and fed to silkworms, the flower heads of H. italicum induce the production of naturally yellow silk, a material used in central Sardinia for the production of folk garments. Ancient Romans and Greeks decorated the statues of gods with wreaths of Helichrysum flowerhead. Protect clothes from moths.


Animal medicine: Coughs, wounds and joint pains in donkeys and horses.

Helichrysum stoechas Common shrubby Everlasting. annual\perennial.


Algeria, Baleares, Corse, France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Sicilia, Spain


Best seen in full Sun.


Contains constituents: Nerol acetate,, pinene, limonene, luteolin, linalool, and geraniol, in addition to other flavonoids, sesquiterpenes. 


Higher levels of polyphenols and flavonoids curcumin, kaempherol, quercetin, so powerfully antiinflammatory and antioxidant. Found to have a powerful strengthening impact on the immune system.


Expectorant. Vermifuge. Antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial. Diuretic. Anti-inflammatory. Clears blockages (deobstruent)


Skin disease. Bruises. Burns & Wounds. Herpes. Bronchitis. Asthma. Sinusitis. Flu.


Zulu medicine: Wounds. Stops Blood flow. Leaves to invoke the goodwill of our ancestors.
Transkei peoples burnt the herb as protective cleanser.


Writings by Ancient Greeks and Romans all the same indications as H. Italicum.
Ie Skin, Respiratory & Digestive. Plant often mixed with honey in ancient times.


Spending time with the plant at Ceratonia: Self healing. Calm, Focus & Clarity in the pause. Warming Solar & Heart. Beautiful. Lifts the Spirits. Yin tonic for solar plexus, Heart Love. Generous. Silk Paper. Deep Support. Peace. Gentle. Smell lovely. Soft. Comfort. Safety. Tasty aromatic. Calm and active.
Make an aromatic water and use as a face spritzer.
Ceremony Plant. Yellow Flower= Fortifying.
Protection. Elephant Medicine. Nourishing. Clearing 3rd eye. Strength. Alert. Expansive. Circulation. Head. Spine. Upper chest\opening.Muscle release. Mildly sedative.  Throat. Drying. Spicy. Oily. Silky coating. Bitter.

Gratitude to Helichrysum