DavidWolfe.comHelichrysum essential oil provides a wealth of health benefits. It comes from the Helichrysum flower, which is a medicinal plant with many healing properties. Helichrysum and helichrysum essential oil, for example, boast natural anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-microbial and diuretic properties. All of these attributes can be used to heal irritated skin, boost digestion and even help protect against cancer. (1) The flower isn’t the prettiest in the world, but its scent suggests otherwise. Helichrysum essential oil has a sweet and fruity scent, with a slight note of honey. Find out more about the powerful healing capabilities of helichrysum oil by reading the list below.
Helichrysum Essential Oil Health Benefits
1. Skin Antibiotic and Anti-Fungal
A review conducted by the Health Sciences Research Center at the University of Beira in Portugal found some noteworthy facts about helichrysum. They discovered that the flavonoids and terpene compounds in helichrysum oil were effective against bacteria and fungus that cause rashes, infections and delayed wound healing. These findings support the notion that helichrysum essential oil can help heal irritated skin, including blemishes, rashes and razor burn. (1)
2. Sunburn Relief
Helichrysum essential oil can help relieve sunburn pain and hydrate the skin. It can also help block UV light damage and reduce signs of aging on the skin. Mix a small amount of helichrysum oil with coconut oil and apply the mixture directly to the skin to relieve pain and support healing. Additionally, you may want to mix in a few drops of frankincense essential oil to this concoction. It will help reduce scarring.
3. Acne Treatment
Store-bought acne treatments often contain questionable ingredients. If you’re looking for a great natural acne treatment, consider tring helichrysum essential oil. The strong antibiotic and antimicrobial properties of helichrysum oil work well as natural cure for acne. Apply the oil to affected areas. It will reduce redness and kill bacteria without over-drying the skin.
4. Candida Cure
Candida overgrowth can be difficult to get rid of and difficult for a doctor to diagnose. If you know or suspect you have an issue with candida overgrowth, however, helichrysum may be able to help. Helichrysum essential oil contains compounds that have anti-fungal effects against candida growth. The oil also helps soothe the digestive tract, reduce inflammation in the gut and boost immunity to speed healing. (3)
5. Heart Health Anti-inflammatory
Helichrysum essential oil has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that improve the condition of blood vessels. The oil fights inflammation and blood pressure levels to aid in heart health. (4) It also can help control hemorrhaging and can help clear out blood clots in the brain.
6. Natural Diuretic
The diuretic properties of helichrysum essential oil help stimulate digestion to push toxins out of the body. In this sense, helichrysum oil can be used to help relieve stomachaches and reduce bloating by drawing excess water out of the body.
7. Liver Stimulant
Helichyrusm oil has the ability to detox the liver and support the detox process. It has been used for centuries, in fact, to treat liver disease. Additionally it has been used to remove toxins from the body, such as heavy metals, bacteria and air pollution. It can also and has been used to treat kidney stones as well.
8. Protects Against Cancer
Additionally, this oil may aid in the fight against cancer. The flavonoid antioxidant compounds in helichrysum oil inhibit oxidative stress to protect against cancer growth. Studies found that helichrysum extract has the ability to protect against radiation-induced DNA damage, cell mutation and death, and cancerous tumor growth. (5)
9. Antiviral
Also on the list of helichrysum benefits is the ability fight viruses and heal issues in the stomach. The anti-inflammatory properties of helichrysum oil help boost immunity and heal the gut. The flavonoids in the oil, meanwhile, work to inhibit harmful bacteria, fungi and viruses that grow in the gut.
10. Pain Reliever
Helichrysum oil has the ability to decrease muscle pain by reducing swelling and inflammation. The oil naturally improves circulation and supports the healing of nerves, joints and muscle tissue to heal painful symptoms of arthritis and fibromyalgia, along with exercise-related injuries. (6) For external relief of pain, mix several drops of helichrysum with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil. Massage into the affected area one or two times daily.
Other Uses of Helichrysum:
- Treats cracked and dried skin
- Treats cough
- Acts as an expectorant
- Maintains health of cells
- Treats varicose veins
- Treats anemia
- Neutralizes effects of caffeine and nicotine
- Helps cure neuralgia
How to Use Helichrysum:
- Diffuse it in your home
- Pour it into an essential oils necklace to carry the scent with you all day long.
- Apply it directly to your skin (2 to 4 drops).
- Inhale directly from the bottle.
- Add a few or several drops to your bath.
- Take it internally by adding a few drops to your water. However, do this ONLY if it is 100% pure and organic and therapeutic grade. Consult your doctor first, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or have any medical conditions.
- Mix with shea butter, coconut oil, and frankincense essential oil to use on sunburns
- Mix 20 drops with honey, apple cider vinegar and coconut oil for a great clear-skin face wash.
Potential Side Effects and Safe Use:
As with all essential oils, be sure to test helichrysum on a small patch of skin before using it liberally. Watch for any allergic or adverse reactions. Should any arise, discontinue use. An allergic reaction is likely an allergy to the flower itself, or to other flowers in the same family.
Furthermore, avoid long-term exposure to this essential oil. Try not to be exposed to it for more than an hour at a time, and when using it, be sure you are in a well-ventilated area. It’s important to remember that essential oils are strong, and as such, are best used safely in a diluted form, such as mixed with a carrier oil. Speak to a doctor before taking helichrysum internally.
As it is an anticoagulant, you should also avoid this essential oil if you are at risk for internal bleeding.