Meet Helichrysum—Commonly Called Immortelle

IMMORTELLE:

History, Uses, and Why You Should Love It!

The genus Helichrysum includes several hundred species – most of them distinct in form and chemistry.  A smaller subset has interesting herbal/medicinal properties, with subtle variations relating in part to where and how they grow.  The genus is native from southern Europe all the way down through to southern Africa.  Perhaps the most known, used, and studied is the Mediterranean species Italicum - which can be found growing from the seashore, high up into mountains.  It favours free draining soil and hot sunny locations.  It is a tough, highly drought tolerant plant that can also withstand a fair bit of cold.  The evergreen leaves have a strongly herbaceous, maple syrup & anise scent.  The flowers have a less herbaceous and sweeter fragrance.

 The plant has several common names, including Italian Straw Flower, Everlasting, and the name we favour – Immortelle.  The etymology of the latter name traces back to the early Greek period - where the first documented herbal/medicinal uses of the plant also appear.  The name Immortelle has endured for more than two thousand years because the freshly cut golden flower buds retain their colour as they dry (therefore being immortal) and perhaps also because the name hints at some of its botanical powers.

 Since recorded history, Immortelle has had a wide range of ceremonial, spiritual and medicinal uses.  It plays a prominent role in Greek culture as the sacred flower of Artemis – Greek goddess of the hunt, wilderness, nature, and childbirth.  The earliest known references are in the Greek “Historia Plantarum” by Theophrastus (3^rd-2^nd century BC), and “De Materia Medica” by Dioscorides (1^st century AD).  Both note its usefulness in treating, among other things, burns and snake bites.  It became the “go to” plant across the Mediterranean for treating cuts and burns – using a poultice of the flowers and leaves.  Centuries later, we pick up its paper trail again during the Renaissance.  In 1727, the Dutch botanist Boerhaave noted the usefulness of South African Helichrysum species for treatment of nervous conditions.  

In modern times, science has delved deeper into the traditional folk wisdom associated with Helichrysum.  Santini conducted clinical research into Helichrysum Italicum in the 1940-50’s – most notably using it to treat hundreds of patients suffering from psoriasis.   He found it had cortisol-like effectiveness in relieving the symptoms.  Since then, many other studies have unravelled its complex and unique chemistry, and we better understand how it produces its therapeutic effects.  The plant offers benefits are in broadly three areas:

• Cuts, burns & skin conditions – lowering risk of infection, speeding healing, and reducing scarring
• Skin Care – reducing lines & age spots and renewing/rejuvenating complexion
• Anxiety, stress & PTSD - a topic we will explore in a future Journal article

Today, though much less common in the wild, it can still be found in considerable quantities in southern France, Corsica, Sardinia, and Italy.   Wild harvesting is now tightly regulated in those areas and todays harvest is mostly from plants cultivated, harvested and distilled by artisan farmers & distillers in southern Europe.  The essential oil is highly valuable as an active ingredient for skin care products.

 Helichrysum Italicum has been an important part of Lavender & Black Farm since our beginning almost 10 years ago.  Back then, though widely used in Europe and Africa, it was little known or grown in North America.  But we knew the plant has a lot to offer.  We proudly grow it using natural/organic farming methods – in a mixed farm/forest setting.  It grows exceptionally well in the sub-Mediterranean climate of Salt Spring Island – where the climate mirrors the mountainous areas of its homelands.  We carefully hand harvest it late in summer, and steam distill it in our copper alembic.  Along with the precious essential oil, we produce a beautiful floral water/hydrosol – which people often choose because it is the gentlest therapeutic form of helichrysum.   

The essential oil plays a leading role in many of our products – including IMMORTELLE SKIN SERUM, HELICHRYSUM RENEW, IMMORTELLE BALM, and our new IMMORTELLE BODY BUTTER (that uses helichrysum essential oils from Lavender & Black Farm, Corsica, and South Africa!).  And a very special extraction of just the sweet flower blossoms lends an important note to our 123 WEST perfume – anchoring this fragrance not only to Salt Spring Island, but directly to Lavender & Black Farm.