Helichrysum

Buy Helichrysum Essential Oil
Buy Helichrysum Herb

Scientific Name:  Helichrysum italicum 
Also known as: everlast, immortelle

Parts Used:  leaves and flowering tops

Cautions:

• Can cause skin irritation (contact dermatitis/rashes), especially in sensitive individuals
• Potential bleeding risks due to blood-thinning properties
• It should be avoided by those on anticoagulant medication and during pregnancy/nursing

Healing Properties

• Anti-catarrhal, anti-coagulant, antioxidant, antispasmodic, expectorant, mucolytic
• Used to treat respiratory ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough
• Good for skin disorders and issues such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, bruising, insect bites, scarring and wrinkles
• Used for blood cleansing, chelating agent for metallics, detoxification of chemicals/toxins
• Can be used for pain relief, headaches, stomach cramps
• Also used for liver ailments, viral colitis, gallbladder infection, hematoma, hypo-cholesterol, liver cell function stimulant, lymph drainage, pancreas stimulant, phlebitis, sciatica, sinus infections, high blood pressure and cravings (smoking/alcohol/drugs)

How to Use: 

• Essential Oils used directly or in blends/other products.
• Tea/Infusion (best consumed immediately, but can be stored in the fridge for up to 48 hours):
  • Cover fresh (1/4 cup) or dried (1 Tablespoon) herb with boiling water.  Let steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain & drink.
• Syrup (Can be stored longer - up to 2 weeks in the fridge, or frozen indefinitely): 
  • Make 2 cups of the tea.  Add to cast iron or stainless-steel pan.  Add 2 cups sugar or honey and heat the mixture on med-low heat until the sugar/honey is dissolved and it thickens into a light syrup.  Remove from heat and let it cool.  Store in a glass bottle (cork top, not screw, because syrups can ferment and explode if sealed too tightly).  Take in 1-2 teaspoon doses every 3-4 hours. 
• Tincture (Can be stored longer - generally last for 2+ years and some say potency increases with age):
  • Add 2 cups water to 1 quart of vodka or rum that is approximately 37.5% alcohol).  Put this in a clean bottle, clearly labeled (not all will be used for the tincture and you can use the remaining for additional batches).  Put 1/4 pound of dried herb (or 3/4 pound fresh) into a large wide-mouthed glass jar.  Add 2 cups of the diluted alcohol mixture to the jar, screw lid on tight and shake well.  Leave jar in a cool dark place for 2 weeks, shaking well every couple of days.  After 2 weeks, strain the mixture and store the liquid in a clean, dark glass bottle.  Add 1/2 - 1 teaspoon tincture to juice or warm water  3-4 times daily.  
• Oil Infusions (Can be stored longer - generally will last for at least a year, often longer): 
  • Hot Infusion:  Use a large double boiler.  Fill lower pan with water and put 1/4 pound dried herb (or 1/3 pound fresh) and 2 cups of base oil (sunflower or similar) to the top pan.  Heat on medium-low heat for 3 hours (check water level of bottom pan often and add boiling water as needed). Strain the oil into a pitcher.  Cool completely, then pour oil into glass bottles and store in a cool dark place.
  • Cold Infusion: Pack a medium sized jar with dried or fresh herb (1 inch from the top).  Cover herb with safflower or walnut oil.  Leave the jar in a sunny indoor location for at least 3 weeks.  Strain the mixture and repeat process again using more herb and the oil from the first infusion.  Leave it in a sunny indoor location again for an additional 2-3 weeks.  Strain the oil again, place in glass bottles and store in a cool dark place. 

Grow/Harvest Yourself: 

• Buy Helichrysum seeds
  
• Harvest the flowering tops (when just beginning to open) in summer/early fall
  
• Hardiness: Zones 8-11
• Soil pH: slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.5)
• Well draining soil (such as sandy or rocky)
• Full sun