Post Series: Medicinal Flowers
When we think of medicinal plants, it’s often the roots, leaves, or bark that come to mind—yet around the world, flowers have long been used for their healing properties. This series explores some of the most powerful and time-honored blooms used in traditional and modern herbal medicine… as diverse as they are beautiful.
Helichrysum italicum, known as immortelle or everlasting, is a perennial herb native to the Mediterranean and distinguished by its silver-green leaves and clusters of small, bright yellow, aromatic flowers. Medicinally, the flowers are used to produce essential oil and extracts with notable anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, applied topically for wound healing, skin issues, and inflammation, and also used in aromatherapy. Beyond its medicinal roles, Helichrysum italicum is valued as a natural fragrance, flavoring agent, and preservative in food and cosmetics.
· Origin: Native to the Mediterranean region of southern Europe and northwestern Africa.
· Traditional use: Traditionally used for allergies, respiratory complaints, skin and liver health, and inflammation.
· Sample reference: “Helichrysum italicum: From Extraction, Distillation, and Analysis to Biological Activities” (Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2023)
*This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.
Immortelle (Helichrysum italicum)-
