Health Benefits
Highly valued in the Balkans, helichrysum is a non-toxic, non-irritant, strongly aromatic herb native to the Mediterranean and Africa. It is considered a miraculous herb that treats a wide range of health problems and gives us healthy and long lives.
It is especially useful for:
Skin health and beauty
Heart Health
Digestive Health
Candida infection
Immune Booster & Respiratory health
Cancer Protection
Pain Relief
Liver Detoxifier and Stimulator
Natural Hemorrhoid Soother
Multiple Sclerosis
Skin health and beauty
Helichrysum is most famous for its incredible benefits for the skin.
Around the Balkans, and increasingly more around the whole world, you can find skin and beauty products containing Helichrysum, also named Everlasting and Immortal – which already tells us a lot about its anti-age and healing effects.
The compounds in Helichrysum are effective against fungus and bacteria that cause skin irritations, slow wound healing, skin infections, and rashes. You can use Helichrysum for scars, wrinkles, bruises, burns, hives, eczema, and psoriasis.
A review done by the Health Sciences Research Centre found that Helichrysum is effective against dangerous bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus that can cause a range of health concerns from minor skin rashes to serious, life-threatening heart complications.
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, people also like to use Helichrysum for scars to discourage inflammation and encourage optimal healing, and it’s great to combine with calendula, yarrow, lavender, chamomile or plantain for additional skin benefits.
Another specific way to use Helichrysum is as a natural acne remedy. According to medical studies, it has strong antioxidant and antibacterial properties that make it a great natural acne treatment. It also works without drying the skin or causing redness and other unwanted side effects.
Additionally, it is amazing for psoriasis – first modern research of Helichrysum began when Leonardo Santini accidentally healed psoriasis in his patients, using Helichrysum to improve their respiratory problems.
From healing any skin related problem to keeping it young, hydrated and glowing, helichrysum can be drank as tea or extract or applied directly on the skin to achieve those amazing benefits.
Heart Health
Helichrysum has been used for heart problems in European folkloric medicine for hundreds of years. Today, modern medicine is confirming those claims – a study suggested that Helichrysum improved blood vessel function by lowering high blood pressure, increasing smooth muscle function, and reducing inflammation. This golden flower is a great helper for lowering blood pressure, but also for keeping your heart healthy and preventing any future illnesses.
Digestive Health
Helichrysum helps stimulate the secretion of gastric juices that are needed to break down food and prevent indigestion. For thousands of years in Turkish folk medicine, it has been used as a diuretic, helping reduce bloating by drawing excess water out of the body, and for relieving stomach aches.
A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in 2013 supported the soothing effects of Helichrysum on an inflamed digestive system; helichrysum decreased gut swelling, digestive pain, and cramping.
A cup of helichrysum herbal tea after meals is a great way to reap these digestive and gut-boosting benefits.
Candida infection
Candida albicans may be the root cause of persistent fatigue and digestive problems that many people experience on a daily basis.
The infection can be highly uncomfortable, and it usually happens in the mouth or the reproductive and digestive systems. It can also affect the skin and all the mucous membranes.
Candida symptoms should definitely not be ignored, but luckily, a research confirmed the antifungal effects of Helichrysum against candida overgrowth in various clinical studies.
Immune Booster & Respiratory health
Since a large portion of the immune system is actually located within the gut, the gut-healing and anti-inflammatory properties of Helichrysum help it effectively boost immunity.
Helichrysum is a strong protective herb and it keeps our immunity active and well prepared for any illnesses that come our way. Preventing a problem is always a better option than healing one, and Helichrysum has such an effect on the immune system that it can even reduce the risk of getting HIV.
In clinical studies (1,2), Helichrysum showed inhibition of harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and it was even powerful enough to fight off herpes simplex virus and coxsackie B virus.
Additionally, this means that it could be used in the treatment of viral respiratory conditions such as colds, coughs, asthma, sinusitis, and bronchitis.
Cancer Protection
Research indicates that the antioxidant compounds in Helichrysum may inhibit cancer growth and oxidative stress. Helichrysum may protect against cancerous tumor growth, cell mutation and death, and radiation-induced DNA damage in both human and animal studies.
Pain Relief
Research has found that Helichrysum reduces muscle, joint, and nerve pain by improving circulation and lowering inflammation and swelling. Its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties make it an effective pain reliever for symptoms of exercise-related injuries, fibromyalgia, and arthritis. When it comes to arthritis, the activity of Helichrysum is similar to cortisone!
Liver Detoxifier and Stimulator
Helichrysum has been used for liver detoxification and stimulation for centuries. According to an article published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, the antioxidant properties of Helichrysum are responsible for its liver-protective, detoxifying, and bile producing effects.
Helichrysum is commonly used as a liver disease treatment, and it helps cleanse the body of heavy metals and other toxins.
Natural Hemorrhoid Soother
To help reduce pain and swelling of hemorrhoids, make a strong lavender and helichrysum tea and use it as a sitting bath. Both of these plants, and especially in combination are great to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms of hemorrhoids.
Multiple Sclerosis
Helichrysum may support the neurological system to potentially treat multiple sclerosis symptoms, including loss of balance, deep fatigue, impaired speech, facial paralysis, and numbness or weakness of the limbs.