Natural Pain Relief: Helichrysum Italicum
The pure essential oil steam distilled from the flowers of the Helicrhysum italicum plant is an absolutely remarkable healing agent. Not just compared to natural medicines, but compared to ALL pain relieving medicines available today. It is safe, effective, and easy-to-use. The oil is listed in ‘Essential Oil Safety’ as non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitizing. It is regularly prescribed for undiluted application to the skin (where very few other essential oils are). Most conservatively, the oil is sometimes said to be avoided during pregnancy, and by young children — but this warning is not found in today’s most advanced aromatherapy texts. If your situation is questionable, check with a health professional before use, but know that Helichrysum essential oil is considered to be exceptionally safe.
It’s the efficacy — the ability to reduce pain and heal that is most remarkable about Helichrysum. Nearly every form of pain seems to respond positively to Helichrysum essential oil application. Joint pain, back pain, muscular and connective tissue pain, nerve pain, and pain resulting from injury, surgery and trauma can all be helped. The most common usage of the essential oil is a dilution in Jojoba oil, massaged into the affected areas a few times a day. The oil can also be used completely undiluted if desired for the most severe or immediate situations.
Mixing your own topical preparation is very simple: just mix one part Helichrysum to nine parts ‘carrier oil’ in a separate bottle. This makes a 10% concentration. Some users create formulas as strong as 20% Helichrysum, others with as little as 5%. Using the lowest concentration necessary is more a question of cost than anything else — the pure essential oil is relatively costly, particularly the highest quality, rarest varieties. The pure essential oil applied ‘neat’ or undiluted is called for when a trauma has just occurred. For example, if one has just twisted an ankle, or really any serious injury where bruising will occur, several drops of the essential oil should be applied immediately and then again every hour or so until the potential for hematoma is eliminated.
Beyond its efficacy for pain relief, the oil is thought to actually speed healing and recovery. The oil does this though its synergy of natural chemical constituents; some quench free radicals, some reduce inflammation, and others signal tissues to regenerate on a cellular level. These effects make the oil an excellent addition to many blends for natural skin care — it is found in recipes for anti-aging, wrinkly reduction, scar reduction and dermatitis. It is also excellent for minor burn treatment, often instantly relieving pain from those small wounds that happen occasionally in the kitchen and around the home. Further, if one has just received a cut and wishes to reduce the potential for a scar, the oil can be applied once bleeding has stopped regularly until healing is complete (a 10% formula in Rosehip seed oil is an excellent choice).
The finest of Helichrysum essential oil varieties is considered to be that distilled from plants grown on the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea. The climatic conditions and plant genetics result in a unique natural chemical composition of the essential oil with strong anti-inflammate, analgesic and regenerative actions. This oil may be listed as Helicrysum italicum sub-species serotinum. You may find that other varieties work as well for your needs, and can experiment as you see fit.
The profoundly effective action for pain relief provided by Helichrysum italicum essential oil is one of natural medicine’s most wonderful treasures. With its exceptional ratings for safety, efficacy and ease-of-use, the oil is unsurpassed as a healing agent for all sorts of pain. Its quick, gentle action is appreciated by the great majority of users, and is worth investigating for your own needs.
Filed under: massage
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