So many folks are bearing some sort of physical pain, and are in need of an effective form of pain relief. One that is more than just a masking agent (one that just blocks the pain sensation), but instead heals while reducing pain. Helichrysum essential oil has the ability to do both. Noted by many therapists as one of the most profoundly healing essential oils used today, Helichrysum italicum is used with success for a great many physical ailments. One of North America’s leading medical aromatherapists has noted the oil’s effects to be so convincing as to have “never met with any kind of criticism” from the conventional medical community. The oil is readily available, and easy to use — here’s more about it, and how to make best use of it for your needs.

The essential oil steam distilled from the little yellow flowers of the Helichrysum plant (the oil is also known as ‘Everlasting’ and ‘Immortelle’) is in a class by itself for the three most important factors for a medicine: safety, efficacy and ease-of-use. Some essential oils used for pain must be used with caution; those containing methyl salicilate should be used sparingly due to their toxicity potential. Helichrysum however, has no such restrictions in the aromatherapy literature. It is in fact, one of the few essential oils recommended for direct application to the skin in the most critical or immediate cases.

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.

The most popular preparation of the oil is a dilution of anywhere from 5% to 20% (with 10% being the most common) depending on the 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 application of Helichrysum. 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. Creating your own formulas for long-term use is a very easy process. Simply start with your desired concentration — 10% for example. This means one part of Helichrysum essential oil in nine parts of carrier oil. In other words, one milliliter of Helichrysum (27 drops) in 29 milliliters (1 fluid ounce) of the carrier oil of your choice. This can be most easily done by using an empty one ounce bottle with an eye-dropper top. Just add the desired amount of Helichrysum, then fill the bottle the rest of the way up with the carrier oil.

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. Helichrysum 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-inflammate, analgesic and regenerative properties. 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.

Helichrysum essential oil is one of nature’s most profound healers. It works for a great many symptoms of pain, safely and effectively. It is simple to use and readily available through internet sources (it is, as of yet, difficult to find in local health food stores, though this may be changing soon). Whatever your needs for this type of therapy, Helichrysum italicum essential oil is worth investigating.