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A Deeper Look Series: Immortelle (Helichrysum or Everlasting) Essential Oil

Immortelle is a versatile and premium essential oil whose therapeutic benefits fall into various categories. It is an anti-inflammatory and an antiseptic. It is helpful in treating skin conditions such as eczema, rashes, allergies and psoriasis. Immortelle helps heal burns, dermatitis and acne. It is a wonderful aid in treating diseases affecting the respiratory system, the lungs, mouth, nose and other body parts responsible for breathing.


#6 of 10: Immortelle Essential Oil

Immortelle is a short flowering herb that grows roughly up to 60 centimetres (22 inches). It has multiple branches, grey, lanciolate leaves and daisy-like, yellow flowers. The flower is called immortelle in France and some English-speaking countries, such as Australia. The same herb in America is called everlasting. Both names are inspired by the fact that the immortelle flowers do not lose their colour when dried. As well as a source for a premium essential oil, immortelle is a commonly used plant in flower arrangements.

The name helichrysum comes from two Greek words: helios (sun) and chrysos (gold). The golden sun is indeed an apt description for this bright, yellow flower.

Immortelle belongs to the Compositae family of plants, which has about 500 species. The ones used for essential oils are not many, however. Helichrysum gymnocephalum comes from Madagascar, off the coast of Africa. Helichrysum patulum is sourced from South Africa. Helichrysum italicum (also known as helichrysum angustifolium) is found at Corsica and in the former Yugoslavia.

Helichrysum is native to the Mediterranean countries and North Africa. It is cultivated in Italy, Spain, France and Dalmatia, in Croatia.


Chemical Makeup of Immortelle Essential Oil

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Immortelle Essential Oil is extracted from the helichrysum flower by steam distillation. It is a yellow liquid with some extraordinary qualities. The main active constituents in Immortelle Essential Oil are nerol and neryl acetate which constitute 30-50% of its chemical makeup. Other chemicals present are geraniol, pinene, linalool and beta pinene. The Immortelle Essential Oil aroma is a combination of bittersweet, fruity and tea-like odours. As it is a premium oil, Immortelle Essential Oil is best used in combination with other essential oils or on its own sparingly.

Immortelle is a versatile essential oil whose therapeutic benefits fall into various categories. It is an anti-inflammatory, an antiseptic and an antitussive (it is used to prevent coughs). It is a cholagogue (it helps your liver rid itself of bile) and a cicatrisant (it helps to heal wounds).

Immortelle is also a diuretic as well as an antimicrobial agent against staphylococcus aureus, escherichia coli and candida albicans bacteria. Perhaps most importantly, Immortelle Essential Oil seems to have a stimulating effect on the immune system and thus helps the body heal itself.


Traditional Uses of Immortelle

Traditional herbal medicine has used Immortelle Essential Oil for much of the same reasons as it is used today. It has been used historically for ailments ranging from bronchitis, asthma, rheumatism and liver diseases to headaches and burns, all conditions that Immortelle Essential Oil is prescribed for today. The one exception to the list of commonalities is possibly its usage as an aid to expel worms. Not because it has stopped being effective as a worm expeller, but because we now have fewer people with worm infestations.


Applications of Immortelle Essential Oil

Immortelle Essential Oil can be used topically in massage, baths, ointments, compresses or as part of your personal skin care regime. It can also be inhaled by using an oil vapouriser or a diffuser, or directly from the bottle.

Although ingesting Immortelle Essential Oil is not necessarily recommended it can be done as long as its stimulating effect on the liver is understood. If you do take Immortelle Essential Oil orally, limit your dosage to one drop taken twice a day.


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Detoxifying Effects

Immortelle Essential Oil purifies and regulates the blood as well as helps to drain the lymph glands. It stimulates and detoxifies the organs including liver, gall bladder, kidney, spleen and pancreas. It can effectively be used in lymphatic drainage massage.


Anti-clotting Properties

Its anticoagulant (or anticlotting) properties make Immortelle Essential Oil a valuable tool in treating haematoma, a swelling caused by clotted blood. It is also useful treating thrombophlebitis, or the inflammation of the vein wall, often suffered by pregnant women.


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Rheumatoid Arthritis

Because of its analgesic (pain reducing) and anti-inflammatory qualities, Immortelle Essential Oil may be used for treating rheumatoid arthritis. For an invigorating massage oil, mix 95% Eucalyptus Essential Oil with 5% Immortelle Essential Oil. Add the mixture into a carrier oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil, in a proportion of 3% essential oil to 97% carrier oil.


Skin Conditions

Immortelle Essential Oil is helpful in treating various skin conditions. For eczema, rashes, skin allergies, and even psoriasis, you may mix Immortelle Essential Oil with Lavender Essential Oil and Rose Essential Oil. Immortelle Essential Oil acts as an antiseptic as well as having a calming, regenerating effect on inflamed skin tissue.

Immortelle Essential Oil helps heal burns, dermatitis and acne. It does not irritate the skin and speeds up cleaning, while reducing swelling and inflammation. It can be used as a first-aid treatment for wounds and cuts by applying it undiluted on the wound before bandaging.


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Respiratory System

Immortelle Essential Oil is a wonderful aid in treating diseases affecting the respiratory system, the lungs, mouth, nose and other body parts responsible for breathing. It helps to dissolve thick mucus and relieves involuntary muscular spasms, thus making a spell of coughs or asthma shorter and more tolerable. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, Immortelle Essential Oil can also be used to treat bronchitis and sinus infection.


Homeopathic and Industrial Use

In homeopathy, Immortelle Essential Oil is used to treat lower back pain, as well as the gall bladder.

Industrially, it is used as a fragrance and as a fixative in soaps, cosmetics, perfumes and tobacco.


Chinese Medicine

In Chinese Medicine, Immortelle Essential Oil is used to enhance and regulate the flow of Qi. It has a similar effect to that of Roman Chamomile Essential Oil. Both oils can be used to dissolve deeply embedded repression caused by stagnant Qi. Both help with irritable moods.

Immortelle Essential Oil has a relaxing and comforting effect on the solar plexus. It can release tension caused by unrealistic expectations on work performance and a tendency to micro-manage and control everything.

People with cold feet that spend too much time in their heads can benefit from using Immortelle Essential Oil. It is also recommended for people who did not receive enough warmth and love as children.

Immortelle Essential Oil stimulates the right brain and may lead to more frequent dreams. It has been known to dissolve negative feelings such as resentment and lingering anger, and to restore a person’s capacity for compassion. People with emotional blockages, rigid thinking and a fear of vulnerability are also advised to use Immortelle Essential Oil.


Immortelle Personality

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The immortelle personality is characterised by quietness, shyness and youth. An immortelle person is mentally agile. They may have a degree of spiritual awareness, but may just as often walk about with their heads in a cloud.


Safety

Immortelle Essential Oil is safe to use by most people and in most situations. It is non-toxic, non-sensitising and non-irritant, even for people with sensitivities and allergies.


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