Also known as everlasting, everlasting, or everlasting, the Italian Helichrysum plant has been known for centuries for its characteristics and for the many preparations made from its flowering parts. In herbal tradition, the tops of the plant are used to make beneficial and aromatic herbal teas, with an intense aroma and a delicate, floral, slightly honeyed, and balsamic flavor.
What is Helichrysum used for?
For centuries, Helichrysum infusions and decoctions have been considered a cure-all for seasonal ailments such as colds and coughs. This tradition arose because the properties of Italian Helichrysum are excellent for the well-being of the nose and throat. The herbal tea is used to help thin mucus secretions in the respiratory tract. Thanks to its balsamic effect, it becomes a natural remedy for soothing cough symptoms, helping to thin phlegm.
The active ingredient important for these balsamic and expectorant functions comes from the flowering plant, namely the tops of the Italian helichrysum. It contains a combination of essential oil, organic acids, flavonoids, resins, and mucilages beneficial for the well-being of the nose and throat.
In traditional herbal medicine, the tops cut into teas were also used to promote digestive and liver function. It was considered a purifying plant, and the diuretic tea was used to improve both digestion and liver function.
Furthermore, due to its properties, helichrysum is used as a natural support for microcirculation function. In external applications, it has historically been considered a remedy for relieving the sensation of cold in the extremities. Compresses were used on chilblains to stimulate circulation when hands and feet are very cold. It can also be used in compresses to promote microcirculation.
These traditional uses of the plant, reported for informational purposes only, are not intended to replace the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional.
Where does Italian Helichrysum come from?
Helichrysum italicum is a perennial plant of the Asteraceae (Composites) family, and comes in many varieties. Native to the Mediterranean, it is very common throughout Italy, particularly in the Apennines and coastal areas. It grows as a bush, in the wild, on dry, rocky, or sandy soils. Its yellow flowers appear in late spring and summer, the season in which they are harvested. Its name derives from the Greek words helios (sun) and chrysos (gold), because the plant's flower head is bright yellow and because it grows in sunny places.
As a medicinal plant, it has been known since ancient times for its therapeutic properties. It was already known to the Egyptians for the treatment of snake bites and intestinal health. In ancient Greco-Roman times, and throughout the Middle Ages, it was used in compresses to treat burns and inflammation, and in herbal teas and decoctions to treat various ailments.
Only in the twentieth century did the physician Leonardo Santini study its properties, using helichrysum to treat liver and respiratory disorders and to cure headaches. The doctor had noted that the plant was being used in his Tuscan homeland (Garfagnana) with excellent results for respiratory disorders. From there, he began studying the pharmacological and phytotherapeutic properties of helichrysum, and since then, he has continued research into the plant's properties. In addition to its phytotherapeutic uses, helichrysum leaves are used in cooking to flavor meats, stuffings, and pasta dishes with a bitter note, similar to curry or sage. The plant is also used in perfumery, thanks to its intense fragrance.
How to make helichrysum tea with the tops
The Italian helichrysum infusion is made by placing about 3-5 grams of the cut tops in a cup (250 ml) of water at 100°C.
Leave to infuse for 5-8 minutes before drinking. Add honey or sugar, if desired.
Where can I find Italian helichrysum?
The cut tops, ready for infusion, are a special product, available in specialty stores like Natura d'Oriente. Loose Italian helichrysum with cut tops is available for online purchase on our website. You can order 50g, 100g, or 250g packages.
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