There’s a little known secret in natural therapeutics — the profound healing pain relief of Helichrysum essential oil. Its action is nothing short of amazing, though this information is rarely offered directly by aromatherapy companies due to advertising restrictions. Throughout the medical aromatherapy texts however, this fantastic oil is lauded for its broad range of healing effects on the body’s tissues. Here’s a quick primer on using this oil for yourself and your loved ones.
Helichrysum is a totally unique pain reliever and wound healer — not only just in the world of aromatherapy, but in the big picture of the entire world of medicine. It rates exceptionally highly in the two most important criteria, safety and efficacy. In terms of safety, it is sometimes prescribed for direct application to the skin at 100% strength (unlike some other pain relieving oils such as Wintergreen). Very conservative therapists do not recommend the oil to be used during pregnancy or by children under 12. It would be a shame however to discard the use of the oil for young children with injuries — like any essential oil, it should be used with respect as a medicine, only using as much as needed to produce the desired healing effect. The classic and important aromatherapy text ‘Essential Oil Safety’, lists it as non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
In terms of efficacy, a great many trained natural therapists have found the oil to be the most profoundly pain relieving of any topical medicine available today. Back ache? Joint pain? Sports injury? Pain due to surgery or other trauma? All these ailments and more can be treated effectively with a preparation of the essential oil in the vegetable or nut oil of your choice. Users call it a ‘magic oil’, and claim the pain relief is ‘amazing’. Apricot Kernel oil is commonly used, as it has anti-inflammation properties itself; Rosehip seed and Tamanu oils are used when treating skin damage; Jojoba is a wonderful all-purpose stand-by, good for any application.
The most popular preparation of the oil is a dilution of anywhere from 5% to 20% depending on your required strength. Because of the relative cost of the oil, it is useful for many folks to find the lowest dilution that will work for them. One must be aware that a lower dilution may be most effective for their needs, and not think that ‘more is better’. The most dramatic long-term healing will be from consistent, long-term application until the condition is relieved (rather than a large application all at once). The oil is sometimes called for in its undiluted, full-strength form however. When an injury has just occurred, and the initial bruising and tissue damage can be reduced by direct ‘neat’ application. If one had been playing soccer for example, and just received a significant blow to a shin, a few drops of the pure oil rubbed into the area several times over the next 12 hours can make a significant difference in healing time. A 10% concentration is 65 drops essential oil PER OUNCE of carrier oil — using this information, you can figure higher or lower concentrations to suit your needs.
In addition to its pain-relieving action, the pure essential oil includes natural constituents which actually speed wound healing. It is thought that this is a result of the oil quenching free radicals in the injured area, and signaling tissues to regenerate. For these reasons, Helichrysum is also found in many formulas for healing and anti-aging of the skin. It is also excellent for burns, and just a little bit of oil on small burns can provide immediate relief. (If using for injuries with broken skin, avoid use if excessive bleeding is an issue, as the oil acts as an anticoagulant. Use only once bleeding has stopped completely, and is not likely to be of concern again in these cases).
The finest of Helichrysum essential oil varieties is considered to be that distilled from plants grown on the island of Corsica, France. The environmental conditions and sub-species genetics result in a unique natural chemical composition of the essential oil with strong anti-inflammatory, analgesic and regenerative properties. This oil may be listed as with sub-species ‘serotinum’. You may find that other varieties work as well for your needs, and can experiment as you see fit.
Helichrysum is considered by many therapists to be one of, if not THE, most profoundly healing essential oil used today. It is safe and effective for a wide variety of physical pain and ailments where the body’s connective tissue, skin, muscles, joints and nerves are affected. (More esoteric aromatherapy even uses the oil as a healer of the heart center, which may be constricted or closed from many years of emotional trauma). Whatever your need for pain relief and healing, this exceptional essential oil may offer the help you need, quickly and safely.
For more on the therapeutic value of pure essential oil, and one of many important oils individually such as frankincense essential oil, visit The Ananda Apothecary online.