Helichrysum Essential Oil is steam distilled from the flowers of Helichrysum italicum, a fragrant flowering plant in the Asteraceae family that is also called immortelle or curry plant. The oil is thin and clear, with a sweet, earthy aroma.
The plant
Helichrysum is native to the Mediterranean region and thrives in its dry, rocky and sandy soil. It is a low-growing shrub that reaches around two feet in height. The stems are upright, whitish and covered in leaves. The leaves are narrow, evergreen and fragrant, with a silvery gray hue. In summer, clusters of globe-shaped yellow flowers bloom in oblong heads at the ends of long stems.
History
The name comes from the Greek words helios, meaning sun, and chrysos, meaning gold. The flowers were widely used in Ancient Greek culture. According to a Greek legend told in Homer's Odyssey, Ulysses was shipwrecked on an island called Phaeacia, where he met the king's daughter, who was renowned for her beauty and used a golden oil extracted from Helichrysum flowers. She gave Ulysses a vial of the oil before he continued his voyage. The legend suggests that Helichrysum was known as early as the eighth century BCE.
The flowers and oil were used across the Mediterranean and by many African cultures. The Xhosa and Zulu people burned the leaves of the plant during ceremonial rituals.
How Helichrysum oil is made
Flowers for essential oil are harvested when around fifty percent of the blooms on the plant have opened. They are picked by hand in the early morning for maximum oil yield and moved to the still within twenty-four hours. The fresh flowers are packed tightly into the chamber of the still. Steam is pumped in and releases the oil from the plant matter. The steam and oil then move into the condenser, where cooling turns the steam back into water. The essential oil floats on top of the water and is separated. It can take over a ton of Helichrysum flowers to yield a single liter of essential oil.
Recipes with Helichrysum Essential Oil
Helichrysum, Frankincense and Patchouli Diffuser Blend
- 1 part Helichrysum Essential Oil
- 1 part Frankincense Essential Oil
- 1 part Patchouli Essential Oil
Add water to your diffuser up to the fill line, then add the blend. The recipe is sized for a 200 mL ultrasonic diffuser, where it comes to about 0.45 mL of essential oil in total. Adjust the amount to the size and directions of your diffuser.
Helichrysum, Peppermint and Lemon Room Spray
- 4 oz Amber Glass Bottle with Spray Top
- 2 oz of High Percentage Alcohol
- 2 oz of Distilled Water
- 0.5 mL of Helichrysum Essential Oil
- 0.5 mL of Peppermint Essential Oil
- 0.25 mL of Lemon Essential Oil
Add the alcohol to the bottle. Add the essential oils and fill the remainder of the bottle with water, leaving a little space at the top. Shake well before each use. Spray around the room.
Flower Fresh Facial Oil
- 2 oz Amber Bottle with Dropper
- 1 oz of Sweet Almond Oil
- ½ oz of Jojoba Oil
- 0.5 mL of Helichrysum Essential Oil
- 0.5 mL of Lavender Essential Oil
- 0.5 mL of Geranium Essential Oil
Add all ingredients to the bottle and give it a good shake to combine. After cleansing your face, add a small amount to the palms and gently press into the skin.
Find Helichrysum Essential Oil in our essential oils collection.
