Holistic Health Aromatherapy & Essential Oils The Health Benefits of Helichrysum Essential Oil By Cathy Wong facebook twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Cathy Wong Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Meredith Bull, ND on April 12, 2020 facebook linkedin Meredith Bull, ND, is a licensed naturopathic doctor with a private practice in Los Angeles. She helped co-author the first integrative geriatrics textbook, "Integrative Geriatric Medicine." Learn about our Medical Review Board Meredith Bull, ND on April 12, 2020 Print Helichrysum essential oil, also known as Immortelle, is a type of essential oil commonly used in aromatherapy. Sourced from a plant in the sunflower family, helichrysum essential oil is touted for the healing effects of its fragrant compounds. The essential oil and the dried flowers of Helichrysum are also sometimes used in herbal medicine preparations. Fotosearch / Getty Images Uses When used in aromatherapy, the scent of helichrysum essential oil is said to fight conditions such as allergies, arthritis, eczema, and anxiety. In addition, as an herbal preparation, helichrysum may be used/is touted to reduce inflammation, promote the healing of wounds and burns, stimulate digestion, boost the immune system, and soothe body and mind. Benefits Despite its long history of use, the research on essential oils is often limited and helichrysum oil is no exception. However, there's some early research suggesting that helichrysum essential oil may offer benefits. For instance, a 2012 study published in Natural Product Communications found that helichrysum essential oil may possess antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, due to the lack of clinical trials testing the effects of helichrysum essential oil, it's too soon to recommend this oil in the treatment of bacterial or fungal infections. In a small pilot study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2013, researchers determined that a mixture of peppermint, basil, and helichrysum essential oils was more effective than a placebo at reducing the perceived level of mental fatigue and burnout. Common Uses Whether you are interested in learning how to use essential oils at home or would like to get an aromatherapy treatment, there are a couple of options: Topical application: When a very small amount is combined with a carrier oil (such as jojoba, sweet almond, or avocado oil), helichrysum essential oil can be applied to the skin during a massage or added to baths.Inhalation: Helichrysum essential oil also can be inhaled after sprinkling a drop of the oil onto a cloth or tissue (or by using an aromatherapy diffuser or vaporizer). According to aromatherapists, helichrysum essential oil blends well with a number of other essential oils like bergamot, chamomile, lavender, rose, and tea tree oils. Helichrysum essential oil shouldn't be ingested or taken internally. Possible Side Effects As with all essential oils, helichrysum essential oil is potent and shouldn't be used undiluted or in large amounts on your skin. Be sure to dilute the oil in a carrier oil before using it to avoid skin irritation, inflammation, and toxicity (the oils are absorbed through the skin). Do a skin patch test on a small area before using it topically. Some oils can cause allergic skin reactions, which may be caused by allergies to the flower or to other ingredients and additives in the oil. If you experience itchiness, rashes, or redness, don't use it. While brief periods of aromatherapy may be helpful, avoid long exposures (over an hour) to essential oils. If mixing essential oils at home, make sure you're in a well-ventilated area. If you're pregnant, consult your health care provider before using essential oils. A Word From Verywell Although helichrysum essential oil may have some intriguing effects on the body and mind, there isn't enough research to support its use as a primary treatment for any condition. While it may not be the first-line treatment, the soothing scent might still be helpful when used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Just remember that a little goes a long way, and the oil should always be used sparingly and diluted in a carrier oil. In addition to helichrysum, several other types of essential oils have been found to offer certain benefits. For example, lavender essential oil may help reduce anxiety and relieve insomnia, while rose essential oil may ease menstrual cramps and reduce stress. In addition, both orange essential oil and lemon essential oil may help enhance mood. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Elshafie HS, Camele I. An Overview of the biological effects of some mediterranean essential oils on human health. Biomed Res Int. 2017;2017:9268468. doi:10.1155/2017/9268468 Oji KA, Shafaghat A. Constituents and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils from flower, leaf and stem of Helichrysum armenium. Nat Prod Commun. 2012;7(5):671-4. doi:10.1177/1934578X1200700533 Varney E, Buckle J. Effect of inhaled essential oils on mental exhaustion and moderate burnout: a small pilot study. J Altern Complement Med. 2013;19(1):69-71. doi:10.1089/acm.2012.0089 De groot AC, Schmidt E. Essential Oils, Part IV: Contact Allergy. Dermatitis. 2016;27(4):170-5. doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000197