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Helichrysum Essential Oil
The Everlasting Gold of the Coast
Helichrysum essential oil, often called immortelle, is a rich, honeyed and herbaceous oil steam-distilled from the flowering tops of the Mediterranean everlasting plant, prized in precious skincare blends and quiet, reflective diffusing.
Botanical name: Helichrysum italicum
Aroma: Honeyed, tea-like, herbaceous and earthy
Note: Middle to base
Main growing region: The rocky Mediterranean coast
Typically extracted: Steam-distilled from the flowering tops
Blends well with: Lavender, Frankincense, Roman Chamomile, Geranium and Rose
Top 3 benefits:
- Precious aroma: a deep, honeyed and herbaceous scent with tea-like undertones that is quite unlike any other oil.
- Skincare ingredient: traditionally added in tiny amounts to facial oils and body blends by people who enjoy its rich character.
- Reflective moments: a warm, earthy aroma that suits quiet evenings, journalling and slow, thoughtful routines.
Safety first: helichrysum should be diluted to 1% or less on the skin after a patch test, and anyone with a clotting disorder or taking blood-thinning medication should speak to a healthcare professional before use. Read the full safety information.
What Is Helichrysum Essential Oil?
Helichrysum essential oil is steam-distilled from the flowering tops of Helichrysum italicum, a small, silvery shrub with bright yellow flower heads that grows on sunny Mediterranean hillsides and coasts. It is also known as immortelle or everlasting, because the dried flowers keep their colour for a very long time.
Its aroma is rich and unusual: honeyed and herbaceous, with tea-like and slightly earthy undertones. The oil contains neryl acetate and distinctive compounds called italidiones, along with gamma-curcumene. It is a precious oil, so it is usually used in very small amounts and as part of a blend.
Benefits and Traditional Uses
The science: helichrysum is a traditional ingredient in luxury facial oils, where its rich, honeyed scent is much loved. Research on its effects on skin is limited, and it should not be used as a substitute for medical advice about scars or skin concerns.
How to use (the evening face oil): add 1 drop of helichrysum to 10ml of rosehip oil (about 0.5%), patch test on your inner arm first, and smooth a small amount over clean skin in the evening, avoiding the eye area.
The science: warm, earthy and honeyed aromas are traditionally associated with a settled, comforting feeling. Aromatherapy research is limited, but many people find helichrysum a soothing companion for quiet time.
How to use (the quiet diffusion): diffuse 2 drops of helichrysum with 2 drops of Frankincense in a ventilated room for 30 to 60 minutes while you journal or reflect.
The science: helichrysum is a strong, complex middle-to-base note that adds depth and a honeyed richness to florals, resins and citrus. A drop or two goes a long way.
How to use (the golden blend): combine 1 drop of helichrysum, 3 drops of Lavender and 2 drops of Geranium in a diffuser for a warm, floral and honeyed atmosphere.
How to Use Helichrysum Essential Oil
| Method | Instructions | VivaForte tip |
|---|---|---|
| Diffusion | 2 to 3 drops in an ultrasonic diffuser, in short sessions in a ventilated room. | Blends beautifully with frankincense or lavender. Keep pets out. |
| Inhalation | 1 drop on a tissue or cotton ball, breathed slowly from a comfortable distance. | Keep it off your skin and away from young children. |
| Topical | Maximum 1% dilution (about 3 drops per 15ml of carrier oil, or 2 drops per 10ml). | Patch test first and avoid the eye area and broken skin. |
| Skincare | 1 drop in 10ml of rosehip or jojoba oil (about 0.5%) for a light facial oil. | Use in the evening and stop if any redness or itching appears. |
| Blending | 1 drop added to a diffuser blend as a rich, honeyed accent. | Pair with lavender, frankincense or geranium. |
Helichrysum Safety Information
- Dilute and patch test. Use no more than 1% on the skin (about 3 drops per 15ml of carrier oil, or 2 drops per 10ml). Patch test first, avoid the eye area and damaged skin, and stop using it if irritation occurs.
- External and aromatic use only. Do not swallow essential oils.
- Blood-thinning medication. As a precaution, avoid helichrysum if you have a clotting disorder or take anticoagulant medication, unless a healthcare professional has said it is suitable for you.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and health conditions. Speak to a healthcare professional before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a medical condition or take regular medication.
- Children. Keep out of reach of children, and do not use on or near the face of babies or young children.
- Pets. Ventilate the room when diffusing, let animals leave freely, and do not apply the oil to or near them. Take particular care around cats, which are sensitive to essential oils.
- Chemical profile. High in neryl acetate and italidiones, with gamma-curcumene.
For general guidance on dilution, patch testing and sun safety, read our Essential Oil Safety guide.
History and Heritage
The name Helichrysum comes from the Greek words helios, meaning sun, and chrysos, meaning gold, a reference to the plant’s golden-yellow flower heads. It is known as everlasting or immortelle because the blooms keep their colour long after they are dried.
Helichrysum italicum grows wild on dry, sunny slopes and coastlines around the Mediterranean, and it has long been gathered and used in local folk traditions. The distilled oil is a more recent speciality of natural perfumery and aromatherapy, valued for its rare honeyed scent and used sparingly in precious blends.
Helichrysum Essential Oil FAQs
Is helichrysum essential oil safe to use on the skin?
Only when diluted and patch tested. Keep skin use to 1% or less (about 3 drops per 15ml of carrier oil), avoid the eye area and broken skin, and stop using it if any irritation appears.
Can I use helichrysum if I take blood thinners?
As a precaution, avoid it unless a healthcare professional has said it is suitable. People with clotting disorders or on anticoagulant medication are usually advised to be careful with helichrysum.
Is helichrysum safe in pregnancy and around pets?
Please speak to a healthcare professional before using any essential oil in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Around pets, diffuse briefly in a ventilated room, let them leave freely, and take particular care with cats.
What does helichrysum smell like and what blends with it?
It smells honeyed, tea-like, herbaceous and earthy. It blends well with Lavender, Frankincense, Geranium and Roman Chamomile.
Why is helichrysum also called immortelle?
Immortelle means everlasting. The flowers of Helichrysum italicum keep their golden colour for a very long time once dried, which is why the plant and its oil have those names.
Continue Exploring
- Frankincense: a resinous partner that suits slow, reflective moments.
- Lavender: a soft floral that rounds off helichrysum’s honeyed depth.
- Roman Chamomile: a gentle, apple-like oil for calming blends.
- Essential Oil Safety: dilution, patch testing and sun safety explained.
- All Single Essential Oils: browse the full VivaForte botanical range.