Monday Spotlight: Helichrysum Essential Oil

According to Roberta Wilson in her book Aromatherapy: Essential Oils for Vibrant Health and Beauty, helichrysum essential oil is an amazing oil to treat many conditions, but is especially powerful for treatment of the skin.

Helichrysum can be used medicinally for:

• used as a treatment for any skin disorder or irritation because of its ability to reduce inflammation, fight bacterial infection, balance energy, and regulate blood flow
• abdominal or stomach cramps or irritable bowel syndrome
• bronchitis, colds, coughs, and sinus infections
• menstrual cramps 
• stimulating digestions and improving the function of the liver and pancreas
• reducing swelling and inflammation of arthritis, backache, and carpal tunnel sydrome

Its beauty benefits are abundant.  Helichrysum:

• helps to decrease the inflammation of acne 
• encourages regeneration of the skin and helps it adapt to stress
• has restorative properties for mature skin
• reduces scars and skin discolorations
• reduces inflammation more than any other essential oil
• improves itching, redness, scaliness, and puffiness of psoriasis, eczema, and other forms of dermatitis
• heal athletes foot
• relieves pain and the redness of sunburn
• may serve as sunscreen or sunblock when used in dilution of 3-6% (3-6 drops of helichrysum in 100 drops of sesame oil). 

Helichrysum also has emotional benefits.  It:

• clarifies thought processes and opens the mind to new concepts and ideas
• helps one to build self-confidence and accept change, especially during times of transition
• activates the right side of the brain elevating awareness, awakening intuition and creativity, and inspiring personal growth
• restores emotions and nerves in mental and emotional exhaustion 

If you've decided like me to take advantage of the benefits of helichrysum, you can use it in a variety of ways.  

•  Apply 2-4 drops on location, temple, forehead, back of neck, or outside of ear.
• Inhale directly 
• Diffuse
• Take as a dietary supplement

Interested in purchasing helichrysum essential?  Click here.