1. Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial Skin Helper
A review done by the Health Sciences Research Centre at the University of Beira in Portugal found that helichrysum’s flavonoids and terpene compounds were effective against dangerous bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus that can cause a range of health concerns from minor skin rashes to serious, life-threatening heart complications. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, people also like to use helichrysum essential oil for scars to discourage inflammation and encourage optimal healing. The oil also has anti-allergenic properties, making it a great natural remedy for hives.
To use helichrysum essential oil for soothing and healing the skin, combine with a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba oil and rub the mixture onto onto the area of concern for hives, redness, scars, blemishes, rashes and shaving irritation. If you have a rash or poison ivy, applying helichrysum mixed with lavender oil can help cool and soothe any itching.
2. Acne Treatment
Another specific way to use helichrysum oil on your skin is as a natural acne remedy. According to medical studies, helichrysum has strong antioxidant and antibacterial properties that make it a great natural acne treatment. It also works without drying the skin or causing redness and other unwanted side effects (like the ones by harsh chemical acne treatments or medications).
3. Anti-Candida
According to in vitro studies, the special compounds in helichrysum oil — called acetophenones, phloroglucinols and terpenoids — appear to demonstrate antifungal actions against harmful Candida albicans growth. Candida is a common type of yeast infection caused by Candida albicans. The infection can occur in the mouth, intestinal tract or vagina, and it may also affect skin and other mucous membranes. If you have candida symptoms, you definitely don’t want to ignore them.
4. Anti-Inflammatory that Helps Boost Heart Health
The hypotensive action of helichrysum improves the condition of blood vessels by lowering inflammation, increasing smooth muscle function and lowering high blood pressure, according to a 2008 study done by the School of Medical Sciences at the University of Durban. During the in vivo/in vitro animal study, the observed cardiovascular effects of using helichrysum oil support the basis for its possible use in the management of high blood pressure and the protection of heart health — just like it’s been traditionally used for many years in European folkloric medicine.
5. Natural Digestive and Diuretic
Helichrysum helps stimulate the secretion of gastric juices that are needed to break down food and prevent indigestion. For thousands of years in Turkish folk medicine, the oil has been used as a diuretic, helping reduce bloating by drawing excess water out of the body, and for relieving stomachaches.
The flowers of Helichrysum italicum are also a traditional remedy for the treatment of various intestinal complaints and are used as an herbal tea for curing digestive, stomach-related, damaged gut and intestinal diseases.
Scientific research confirms the use of Helichrysum italicum as a natural remedy for digestive, stomachic and intestinal diseases. Animal research published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology demonstrates helichrysum’s antispasmodic properties and hence its ability to aid intestinal complaints.
An herbal tea made from dried helichrysum flowers is a great way to reap these digestive and gut-boosting benefits. You can also take helichrysum oil internally as long as it’s 100 percent pure and therapeutic-grade.
6. Potential Natural Cancer Protector
Research published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine demonstrates the anticancer ability of helichrysum. This in vitro study reveals the antitumor actions of extracts from the Helichrysum zivojinii plant. The anticancer ability of the helichrysum extracts on cancer call lines were selective and dose-dependent, but the research is one of several studies highlighting the potential for helichrysum to be used in the natural fight against cancer.
7. Antiviral that Increases Immunity
Since a large portion of the immune system is actually located within the gut, the gut-healing and anti-inflammatory properties of helichrysum help it effectively boost immunity. In clinical studies, the flavonoids and phloroglucinols of helichrysum oil showed inhibition of harmful bacteria, fungi and viruses, even powerful enough to fight off herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and coxsackie B virus type 1. The helichrysum flavonoid that gets most of the scientific credit for fighting off these viruses and other harmful invaders is called galangin.
8. Natural Hemorrhoid Soother
To help reduce pain and swelling of hemorrhoids, apply three to four drops with a cotton ball to the affected area. Repeat every few hours as needed to ease pain, inflammation and swelling. You can add three drops of helichrysum oil along with three drops of lavender oil to a warm bath and soak in it to ease hemorrhoid symptoms.
9. Kidney Stone Reliever
Helichrysum oil may reduce the risk of kidney stones by supporting and detoxifying the kidneys and liver. A preliminary study published in 2016 finds that helichrysum extracts may be useful in the treatment of kidney stones and can be used as an alternative therapy to potassium citrate. The flowers were also found to be helpful for urinary tract stones or urolithiasis.
Another study out of Turkey published a year earlier in 2015 concludes, “Helichrysum extracts could reduce the formation and growth of kidney stones in Ox-induced urolithiasis and can be beneficial for patients with recurrent stones. In addition, this is the first study on the preventive effect of immortal flowers.”
I recommend putting two drops of citrus oils like lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit in your water two times daily, and rub the helichrysum oil topically over lower abdomen two times daily.
