Immortelle (Helichrysum italicum)
Helichrysum italicum is a bright golden flower that has long theraputic history. Helichrysum italicum means golden sun and comes from the Greek words of “helios” meaning sun and “chrysos” meaning gold. It is often known as “Immortelle” (French for “immortal”) or “Everlasting” due to its bright flowers that retain their colour when dried.
There are more than 600 species in the Helichrysum genus. It is a perennial herb and member of the daisy family. Native to Italy and the Balkan coastal regions of the Adriatic, it made its way to the island of Corsica where it grows wild, often growing on rocky coastal ledges. It reaches more than 60 centimetres (24 in) or more in height and has narrow downy silver white leaves. A hardy shrub, it can grow in most soils and under very harsh conditions, provided there is abundant sunshine.
Immortelle flowers are harvested in mid-summer (with a possible smaller 2nd harvest in autumn). To derive its precious essential oil, the flowers are steam distilled with approximately one tonne of flowers being needed to extract a litre of essential oil.
Immortelle flowers ready to be distilled at Black Teal Bay
Immortelle has a long history going back thousands of years to the Eutuscans, the Romans, Greeks and Egyptians all using it for its restorative, beautifying and wound healing properties. In the 7th century BCE, the ancient Romans and Greeks were known to decorate the statues of gods with wreaths woven from Immortelle flowers due to their colour and longevity. The statue of the Greek god Apollo at the entrance to Delphi was said to have worn a wreath of Immortelle to remind the world of his immortality.
Immortelle was even mentioned in the Odyssey in which Ulysses was shipwrecked and given a vial of immortelle oil by princess Nausicaa which after applying it to his body he regained his strength, vigour and beauty.
Immortelle flowers have long been used as symbol of love and immortality in Greek celebrations of marriage and even today many Greek households hang twigs or wreaths of Immortelle as a good omen.
Immortelle has only relatively recently come to the attention of the wider world, first appearing as an essential oil in Europe in the 1980’s in French medical aromatherapy. Global aromatherapy expert Kurt Schnaubelt has long advocated the benefits of Immortelle and describes it as “an oil that one almost cannot live without once you have experienced what it does”.
Immortelle essential oil is now recognised as one of the most potent, safe, effective, and versatile therapeutic oils used in aromatherapy. Its aroma is rich, herbaceous, honey-like bouquet with tea-like, earthy undertones and possesses outstanding tenacity.
Immortelle oil is used increasingly in skincare and cosmetic products and it is renowned for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. The oil and hydrosol are also used for wound healing, helping the skin regenerate and improving its tone and elasticity. It has also been shown to help aid muscle tension and alleviating anxiety symptoms.
At Black Teal Bay, immortelle is one of our key botanical flowers we grow organically. We are progressively adding more Immortelle plants to ensure a steady increase in our oil yeild and production in coming years. To date, we have already produced our first organic Immortelle essential oil, immortelle hydrosol, imortelle body oil and immortelle lip balm.