- Home ›
- Essential Oils ›
- Helichrysum Oil
by Meenakshi Nagdeve last updated -
The health benefits of helichrysum essential oil can be attributed to its properties as an antispasmodic, anticoagulant, antiallergenic, anti-microbial, anti-hematoma, antiphlogistic, nervine, anti-inflammatory, antitussive, cicatrizant, and an expectorant. It also acts as a febrifuge, antiseptic, cholagogic, emollient, mucolytic, fungicidal, hepatic, diuretic, splenic, and acytophylactic substance. This oil also exhibits antioxidant properties. Helichrysum, the flower that contributes to the “everlasting” and “immortal” essential oil, and known by the names Helichrysum angustifolium and Helichrysum italicum, is a European herb native to France, Italy, and a few neighboring countries. It is a very costly oil and scarcely available, but unlike other essential oils which have a short shelf life, this oil can be stored for a very long time.
Health Benefits of Helichrysum Essential Oil
This essential oil has a wide range of remarkable medicinal properties. Some of the most notable are listed below. [1]
Relieves Spasms
') $('.code-block-11').css({'height':'auto', 'width':'100%'}); } })
A spasm is an unwanted, unbalanced, or excessive contraction in the body. It may occur in the respiratory tract, lungs, muscles, nerves or intestines and may result in severe coughs, breathlessness, cramps, convulsions, and severe abdominal pains. In extreme cases, spasms can even be fatal. Therefore, it is always advisable to attend to it immediately. Helichrysum essential oil is ideal for helping these types of conditions. It is an antispasmodic and can give you quick relief in case a spasm begins, and it can also work as a preventative agent if inhaled regularly.
Protects Heart Health
As an anticoagulant, helichrysum essential oil can be a blessing for those who run the risk of heart attacks due to the thickening of blood because of a high cholesterol content. It can immediately provide relief in such cases by liquefying or thinning the blood. These days, extensive research is going on to derive anticoagulants from natural substances (even saliva from mosquitoes and vampire bats is being considered), since heart diseases and cases of heart attacks are growing at an alarming rate.
Helichrysum is the Latin name for a flowering plant meaning immortal or everlasting. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Prevents Allergies
This quality can also save your life in certain situations. Perhaps you may think it is an exaggeration because allergies are limited to some rashes on the skin and stomach aches. You might be surprised to know that these are only external symptoms or expressions of allergy. Allergies first show up in internal organs such as the liver, spleen, lungs, respiratory tracts, intestines, and even heart, and in extreme cases may result in severe attacks of asthma, cardiac arrest, unbearable pain in the stomach, convulsions, and even death. So why risk your life? Keep this oil within reach and use it without delay before visiting a doctor if you think that you may be experiencing a severe allergic reaction.
Dissolves Blood Clots
The essential oil of helichrysum helps clear the accumulation of blood or blood clots which result from a hemorrhage. This can be very helpful in clearing blood clots out of the brain after a brain hemorrhage. These clots often interfere with the normal functioning of the brain.It also helps dissolve or melt away such clots by stimulating the enzymes which do that.
Lowers Fever
Research suggests that helichrysum essential oil is effective in reducing inflammation resulting from fever since it is an antiphlogistic. This can help the patient feel less worn out and exhausted during fever, and it also aids in reducing the frequency of fever. [2]
Relieves Inflammation
Apart from giving relief to inflammation resulting from fever, this oil also provides relief from inflammation due to other causes and generally soothes the body. [3]
Reduces Cough
Being an antitussive, helichrysum oil gives relief from coughs that are stimulated by phlegm in the respiratory tracts or by itchiness in the throat caused by infections.
Protects Nervous System
Helichrysum oil is nervine, which means that it keeps your nervous system in order, strengthens it, and protects it from disorders. Regular use can protect you from nervous disorders that result from aging. It can help you reduce anxiety over insignificant things and generally lower stress levels.
Fights Infections
Fever is not a disease in itself; it is just a symptom which shows that the immune system of our body is fighting against infections or unwanted substances. This is why you will rarely see fever as a solitary symptom. It always accompanies colds, viral infections, bacterial infections or infections from wounds, liver malfunctions, pox, boils, allergic reactions or arthritis. According to a research published in 2014, helichrysum oil helps not only eliminate the root of fever but also reduces the fever itself. [4] [5]
') $('.code-block-13').css({'height':'auto', 'width':'100%'}); } })
This property of helichrysum essential oil makes your wounds and cuts heal quickly and scar marks disappear fast. It is equally effective in clearing up spots left on your skin by pox and boils. Also, helichrysum oil has long been used to fight acne as well. [6]
Helichrysum essential oil is also an expectorant. It provides warmth to the respiratory system, which loosens the deposition of phlegm there and does not allow new phlegm to be deposited. It gives relief from a continuous cough and congestion that show a sign of infection or illness.
Helichrysum oil has cholagogic properties, which means that it promotes the discharge of bile into the stomach and helps neutralize acids, thereby promoting digestion, curing acidity, and reducing symptoms of acidosis.
Helichrysum Oil inhibits microbial growth and protects the body against a long list of microbial infections.
