Today’s Fragrant Friday covers an essential oil that I’ll never be without in my home first aid kit.
Helichrysum is known for its quick healing properties,
and is the best essential for topical wounds and bruises.

Essential Oil of Helichrysum
(Helichrysum italicum)

My personal relationship with Helichrysum (or Slamming my Hand in the Van Door):

A few years ago I was the keynote speaker for a conference.  As I finished unloading my van of the many supplies I needed for the talk, I slid the door closed but failed to move my hand out of the way in time and slammed the door on the first three fingers of my right hand!  I just stood there in shock not taking in what had happened.

The conference organizer had been helping me unload my van and quickly opened the sliding door saying, “Quick! There’s a paramedic inside.”  I asked him to wait a minute (he looked at me like I was crazy) while I opened my box of demonstration essential oils and grabbed the Helichrysum, and put a couple of drops across my purple, bleeding, crunched fingers.  In retrospect, it was a miracle that I happened to have that particular oil with me.

I was quickly ushered inside where the paramedic examined my hand. When he saw the deep cuts and bright purple bruising forming on my fingers he suggested someone drive me to the Emergency Room right away. As I waited to see the doctor, I continued to apply the Helichrysum (which drew a lot of funny looks from others in the waiting area because it smells like curry).  I was x-rayed, cleaned up, fingers wrapped and sent back to the venue where I was still in time to speak. Yes, I still wanted to give my talk. 🙂

When I returned from the ER, the paramedic who had initially examined my fingers asked to see them again.  When I removed the wrapping he was shocked!  He said, “Wait. Is that the same hand that you slammed in the door?”  Even I was impressed with what I saw.  There were still deep cuts, but the bruising was nearly gone.  He said he had never seen any wound heal as quickly as mine.  I explained that it was because I’d applied the Helicrysum so quickly after the impact to my fingers, and continued to do so for about an hour after.   That day I sold every single product I’d brought with me! My only regret is that I didn’t get before and after photographs.

Foundational Information

Note: Middle

Geographical source: Corsica, USA, Bosnia, and Croatia

Plant Part: Flowers

Oil Characteristics: Helichrysum is fresh, herbaceous, warm and radiant

Chemical Families: Monoterpenes, Sesquiterpenes, Monoterpenols, Sesquiterpenols, Ketones, Esters

Therapeutic Properties:

• Alleviates inflammation
• Helps prevent and relieve symptoms of allergies
• Supports the healing of wounds and burns
• Fast healing of bruises

Applications:

The amazing healing benefits of Helichrysum oil have to be seen to be believed.  It can disperse bruises, help with injured muscles and help reduce skin scarring.

Some Suggested Uses

• Use neat (1 drop only) on cuts. wounds and bruises.
• Add to massage oil for soothing an overactive mind
• Add to Arnica oil to help reduce bruising
• Use in a nasal inhaler to help reduce symptoms of allergies

Blends well with Lavender, Orange, Frankincense

A Recipe Using Helichrysum:
Minor Cuts and Wounds Oil
Ingredients:
1 oz Trauma Oil
10 drops Lavender
6 drops Helichrysum
4 drops German Chamomile
1 oz bottle

Subtle Properties (vibrational and energetic):  Helichrysum gives spiritual strength and helps integrate spirituality and compassion.  Just as this oil beautifully facilitates healing of the physical body, it also support healing of emotional wounds. It helps dissolve feelings of depression and emotional exhaustion.

Fun Facts: A member of the daisy family, Helichrysum grows in dry, rocky and even sandy environments. The “curry plant” is a multi-talented bloom and its range of use stretches from the medicinal to dried flower arrangements.

Safety Information: Non-toxic, non-irritating. Thought to be most useful at low doses.

Where to Buy:  You can find all these essential oils and the Trauma oil at Natures Gift Aromatherapy. 

If you’d like to read past Fragrant Friday posts,
check out the Fragrant Friday Archives

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