Immortelle

lat. Helichrysum angustifolium

Group: Flowers

Helichrysum is one of the most fragrant plants, which contributes to giving the Corsican “maquis” its characteristic perfume. Immortelle produces a fascinating, rich, multi-layered, sexy, desireable, satisfying aroma.

Botanical Name - Helichrysum angustifolium Synonym H. italicum
Family – Asteraceae / Compositae
Common Name – Everlasting flower, Immortelle, Strawflower, Curry Plant

Blends well with - Bergamot, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Lavender, Geranium, Rose, Rosewood, Myrrh, Frankincense and spikenard, etc.

Extraction Method - Steam distillation of flowers

PERFUME NOTE

Immortelle de corse, Immortelle Marilyn for women and Tim McGraw Faith Hill Soul2Soul for Him and for Her. Please see the list of fragrances with Immortelle note on Fragrantica.

ESSENTIAL OIL

Helichrysum essential oil has a strongly straw-like, fruity smell, with a honey and tea undertone, and the color can range from pale yellow to red. The viscosity of oil is watery.

DISTRIBUTION and HABITAT

The name Helichrysum is derived from the Greek helios meaning "sun" and "gold," referring to the color of many of the flowers of species in this genus. The genus Helichrysum (family Asteraceae) is a very large genus including 600 species widespread throughout the world. Helichrysum species are xerophytes which are distributed from the lower-meso-Mediterranean to the lower-sub-humid bioclimatic environments, growing preferably on sandy or loamy soils. This plant is native to South Africa, Northern Africa, Asia-temperate, Western Asia and South-eastern Europe, South-western Europe. It grows on dry, rocky or sandy ground and along mountainsides.

BOTANY

Immortelle is a flowering plant of the daisy family Asteraceae. The leaves of the plant have a strong aromatic smell. This is a small perennial shrubby herb with narrow, silver-hairy leaves and small, yellow dry (straw-like) flowers. Its flowers are capitules made of many florets, which gives the impression of a flower full of tube-shaped holes. The flowers are a cluster of golden yellow ball-shaped blossoms, the leaves are delicate and oblong, and when crushed release a distinct aroma. It is a wonderful plant to grow in the garden, for both its curry aroma and simple beauty. The names "Immortelle" and "Everlasting" came about for this plant because it retains its yellow color even when dried.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS

Helichrysum essential oil has many chemicals like Monoterpenes (a-pinene , b-pinene, d-limonene, g-curcumene), Sesquiterpene (b-carophyllene), Alcohols (linalol, geraniol, nerol, furfurol), Esters (neryl acetate, geranyl acetate), Aldehydes (isovaleric), Ketones (diones, italidone, other b-diketones) and Phenol (eugenol).

USES

Immortelle essential oil has traditionally been used for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, cell regenerating, pain reducing and calming properties.

The essential oil has been applied to stretch marks, acne scars, surgical scars, and wounds.

Immortelle is used in many skin care products for its ability to stimulate the production of new dermal cells. This property makes it popular in facial care for acne scars, dry and weathered skin and for mature skin.

The essential oil is excellent in massage and herbal oils for sensitive, inflamed skin, muscle strains, aches and pains.

Image of silver immortelle by Duncan~

Author: Dr. Chandra Shekhar Gupta

Senior Research Fellow
Plant Quarantine Division
National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources
Pusa Campus, New Delhi