Helichrysum (lmmortelle), also called everlasting flower and Italian straw flower, is a typical plant of the Mediterranean region. lmmortelle can be found everywhere—in vacant lots and garbage dumps, along railroad ti-a ks, and on steep cliffs. This plant appears to grow, with enough sun, in the most deprived soil.

Sometimes immortelle is also called sun gold because of its ball-shaped golden yellow blossom. The plant grows to 20 inches high. It has (lClicate, lance-shaped leaves, which in some species al-c covered with white hair. The scent of a crushed leaf is surprising, with its intense curt v fragrance. When dried, the plant keeps its shape and the flower, its yellow color. The immortelle seems indeed immortal—a grand claim for such a tiny flower—and ideal for dried flower arrangements.

The plant should be harvested when flowering, and the essential oil extracted by steam distillation. The oil extracted when a solvent is USC(l becomes concrete or absolute and is unsuitable fbr aromatherapy.

The essential oil of immortelle has a slightly reddish color and a (uS— tinctive fragrance. It reminds me of strolling along the Mediterranean under a hot sun that warms weeds, rocks, and trees. The fragrance is warm, woody, spicy, and herbal. There are many layers of scents —dried varrow, warm oak bark, or freshly dried fruits—that niav be detected from time to time. And in the background a slight bandage scent lurks. Before you become perturbed because these suggestions ruin aSSoCiations you yourself may conjure up, conduct a simple test; put a few drops of immortelle on a tissue and inhale.

Immortelle oil has a strong psychological effect, something like that of vetiver and cypress, except that immortelle fragrance is warmer and lighter. The earthy fragrance may be beneficial for people who have lost contact with the earth, have become too cerebral, or have acquired cold feet. Essential immortelle oil has a grounding effect without being heavy. This oil serves as a good companion when personal problems need to be worked out. Immortelle acts like a buffer and helps people accept changes and see them through. Immortelle also helps people look inside themselves. Extroverts usually find warmth and calm in this fragrance.

Since the immortelle plant loves hot, dry places, it seems that the warmth the plant receives from the sun is transferred to the essential oil. This makes the oil ideal for people who feel cold or who may have received too little warmth and affection as children. When added to massage oil, immortelle helps people relax since it supports deep abdominal l)breathing and warms the pelvis.

Immortelle increases dream activity and may help guide people toward important stages of awareness. Dreams become easier to remember and dreams with important messages occur more frequently. In addition, the (led) warmth that this oil imparts helps untie the inner knot. Since this essential oil is so powerful, it should be used only after one has gained sufficient experience with other, less powerful oils. Though uniquely suited for psychological treatment, this oil should be used by an experienced aromatherapist. lmmortelle, considered a medicinal plant in earlier times, was often praised in herbals.

Immortelle was the chosen treatment for what was 011CC called stmf u/a—chronic ailments, especially of the skin, lymph systeIIl, and muous membranes in response to environmental irritants. In aromatherapy this essential oil may l)e used to detoxify blood for people with allergies, including food allergies, that cause eczemas, rashes, and psoriaSis. The holistic practitioner usually treats chronic skin disorders with a l)h)od-cleansing regimen first, then follows with other remedies. In the past, herbalists recommended immortelle even for treating skin canter.

however, modern medical research has not been conducted to affirm or immortelle effectiveness.

For skin disorders, iinmortelle, used in combination with rockrose and lavender, has been considered very successful. (See suggestions under Rockrose.)

This essential oil acts as a stimulant for the liver, gallbladder, kidney,
spleen, arid pancreas—organs responsible for detoxifying the body. The oil is also an effective antibacterial and antiviral agent that diminishes inflammnations an(l stimulates lymph drainage.

As a liver stimulant, the essential oil should be taken orally in small doses, I (lrop twice daily. Warm compresses of immortelle and rosemary (used in a I-to- I ratio) are also helpful. Gallbladder and pancreas problems Ies1)ond well to the use of the oral medication and compresses. (;oix~presses are particularly effective for gallbladder inflammattons.

In general, immortelle essential oil stimulates the whole endocrine system, 1)articularly glands that secrete gastric juices. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, immortelle, used in combination with chamo— mile, is l)beneficial for treating stomach and intestinal inflarnmations. The oil also mmiakes a good expectorant during coughing spells and bouts with I)romiChitis. For sinus infections, immortelle may be used as an inhalant or apjilieol as a salve, in combination with angelica. Mix 1 ounce of a iieutral hiase, liquefied if necessary, in a warm bath, with 5 drops each of immortclle an(l angelica. lmmnortelle essential oil helps (train lymph glands. It also strengthens the detoxification process and increases drainage of the liver and kidneys. The effect of a lymph-draining massage, a form of gentle manipulation of the lymph glands and lymph nodes, may be enhanced when this oil is added to massage oil. For irregular periods, a sitz bath or foot bath with immortelle may be comforting. A massage with immortelle added to a massage oil also relieves menstrual cramps and cold feet.

The oil may be used for cosmetic purposes and to help treat severe acne and blemishes. Here it may be used in combination with chamomile, yarrow, and bergamot. It also prevents sunburn, when used as a suntan lotion. Immortelle in combination with aloe vera and St.-John’s wort oil helps soothe sunburned skin.