What is Helichrysum?
Helichrysum is a genus in the Asteraceae plant family, which is also known as the daisy family. Over 500 species of Helichrysum belong to this genus (Rodrigues, et al, 2015), each with its own unique characteristics. As members of the daisy family, helichrysums are related to several other herbs, including calendula, yarrow, feverfew, chamomile, dandelion, and echinacea. Growing helichrysum can be a great way to add extra fragrance to your herb garden.
I often describe helichrysum as an aromatic plant that smells a lot like curry when a new client asks, “What is helichrysum?” One of helichrysum’s nicknames is actually curry plant. Although it is not the same plant as the one we know of as curry tree (Murraya koenigii syn. Bergera koenigii), when you brush up against a helichrysum plant or rub its leaves between your fingers, you will find that it does smell a lot like a rich curry. That classic, earthy-sweet helichrysum smell has a unique personality and can stick to your skin and clothes all day long after working with the plants.
Other common names for helichrysums include:
The bright yellow flowers seen on many species of Helichrysum are comprised of papery bracts and thus retain their form when dried quite well. The dried flower clusters look almost just as they would on the plant. Historically, they have been used in dried flower arrangements, hence the nicknames everlasting, life everlasting, and immortelle flower.
Which Helichrysums Are Most Commonly Used in the Aromatic Apothecary?
Several species of helichrysum are grown for use in the apothecary. Most often, I work with the Helichrysum italicum species, as its essential oil and hydrosol are highly valued in the aromatherapy community.
Helichrysum odoratissimum, Helichrysum bracteiferum, Helichrysum gymnocephalum, and Helichrysum splendidum are other species you might commonly see on the market in the United States, particularly in their essential oil forms. Many people prefer to work with these four species because their essential oils can be more affordable than that of Helichrysum italicum, which is one of the most expensive essential oils available on a commercial scale. Their chemical compositions do vary and thus so do their therapeutic effects and applications.
I primarily work with helichrysums in their hydrosol and essential oil forms in my own practice. When it comes to Helichrysum italicum, I like to grow the plants myself and distill them to gather hydrosol and essential oil whenever I can to help offset the cost of the prized essential oil in my own work.
Growing Helichrysum
Growing conditions for helichrysums can vary a bit between species but most of the ones that are useful in the aromatic apothecary are hardy down to a USDA zone 7 and can be grown in the ground, in raised beds, or in large pots. In colder areas, you can grow them in containers and overwinter them indoors with supplementary light.
To grow helichrysum plants from seed, scatter the tiny seeds across the surface of a light, airy soil, gently press them into the soil, and carefully water them in. The seeds require exposure to light to germinate, so position your tray or pot (if you are not direct sowing) in a spot where it can get some sunlight or supplementary indoor light. Keep the soil moist until the seeds sprout, then water as needed. You do not want the soil to dry out while the seedlings are small, but the plants do not like soggy roots, so you need to keep a good balance of moisture in the soil.
Once the plants have a few sets of true leaves, you can either pot them up and grow them out a bit or you can transplant them directly into the garden.
Helichrysum can also be propagated via cuttings and divisions.
Mature helichrysum plants can grow quite large, so I like to give them at least 24″ of space between plants. They do well in full sun, and I have also had good success growing them in partial sun.
These Mediterranean natives do best in soil that drains well, so if your garden tends to be soggy during the rainy season, I recommend planting them on a slope, in a large container that will allow you to have more control over the soil moisture levels, or in soil that has been well amended to increase drainage.
Helichrysum italicum stays evergreen in my zone 8 backyard garden. I recommend harvesting the flowers throughout the growing season to prolong blooming. Prune the plants into a pleasant dome shape each fall when they have finished flowering to help keep the plants looking tidy.
Growing helichrysum is easier than you might think. I highly recommend giving it a try. The plants are a delight to have in the garden.
Notes on Distilling Helichrysum
Distilling aromatic herbs to gather their hydrosols and essential oils is one of my favorite apothecary chores. Helichrysum is an especially fulfilling plant to work with in this way because Helichrysum italicum essential oil can be very expensive. Offsetting that cost by distilling it myself is so satisfying, and the process is simpler than one might expect.
It is a common myth that you always need a lot of plant material to distill hydrosols and essential oils. This is true sometimes, particularly with plants that yield very small amounts of essential oil from large amounts of plant material. However, many common aromatic herbs can yield beautiful hydrosols and essential oils even from small batches distilled using a small stovetop still or stock pot.
When distilling a small batch of helichrysum, the primary product you will receive will be hydrosol. Depending on the size of your batch and the species with which you are working, you might not see any harvestable essential oil in your distillate.
Helichrysum hydrosol is especially lovely for skin care and first aid. The aromatic constituents in the plant can have a soothing, anti-inflammatory effect (Sala, et al, 2001), and some of them make it through the distillation process into the hydrosol. I often recommend the hydrosol as a skin toner for use after cleansing the skin and before moisturizing.
If you want to try distilling helichrysum at home, I suggest planting four to six plants, growing them out for a year or two, then harvesting the flowers when you are ready to distill them. If you would like, you can include the top few inches of leaves when you harvest the flowers since they are also aromatic.
Whether you are distilling using a small stovetop still or the stock pot and wok method (an easy at-home distillation method that makes distilling more accessible for many people), small batches can often be completed within an hour or less, leaving you with a quart or more of aromatic hydrosol for your apothecary.
Formulating with Helichrysum
I like to formulate with helichrysum hydrosol when I am making after-sun skin-soothing sprays, facial toners, hand lotions, and skin care creams.
The essential oil of Helichrysum italicum is one I often use in topical first aid products, emotional support blends for people who are recovering from a traumatic experience, and skin remedies. It is an essential oil that seems to work best when used at lower dilution rates, so I tend to limit it to a 1-2% dilution in a recipe formulated for a healthy adult.
The other Helichrysum essential oils often contain constituents – camphor and 1,8-cineole – that make them more effective for supporting the respiratory and musculoskeletal systems, so I will sometimes utilize them in decongesting vapor rub recipes, post-workout massage oil blends, and diffuser blends for adults.
Safety Notes
Helichrysum is related to other daisy plant family members that are known for causing allergic reactions. If you know you are allergic to ragweed, chamomile, or other members of the Asteraceae family, I recommend caution if you decide to try working with helichrysum. It may be best avoided.
Helichrysum essential oils that contain 1,8-cineole or camphor should be used with caution (if at all) around young children and should not be applied near the face of a young child. (Tisserand & Young, 2015)
Erin Stewart is a clinical herbalist and aromatherapist, organic gardener,
and artisan distiller based in the Pacific Northwest. She teaches herbalism and
aromatherapy at Floranella. (https://www.floranella.com)
Photograph Copyright: Photographs © Erin Stewart. All rights reserved.
References
• Rodrigues, A. M., Silva, L., Falé, P. L., Serralheiro, M. L., & Ascensão, L. (2015). Glandular Trichomes and Biological Activities in Helichrysum italicum and H. stoechas, Two Asteraceae Species Growing Wild in Portugal. Microscopy and microanalysis : the official journal of Microscopy Society of America, Microbeam Analysis Society, Microscopical Society of Canada, 21 Suppl 5, 91-92. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1431927615014269
• Sala, A., Recio, M. C., Giner, R. M., Máñez, S., & Ríos, J. L. (2001). New acetophenone glucosides isolated from extracts of Helichrysum italicum with antiinflammatory activity. Journal of natural products, 64(10), 1360-1362. https://doi.org/10.1021/np010125x
• Robert, T., & Young, R. (2015). Essential Oil Safety. Churchill Livingstone.
