It is interesting that in superhero movie there is always a villain with a hideous scar. And each of these villains is ashamed of their scar, blame someone else for their disfigurement and try to destroy the rest of us for that reason.
Wouldn’t it be better if they tried some helichrysum oil for their scars?
With all the resources that they use to build their robot armors, hideous flying contraptions, and massive guns, I find it hard to believe that they can’t find a minion to find them a steady supply of helichrysum oil.
This oil has super power abilities which include being:
- Antispasmodic
- Anticoagulant
- Antiallergenic
- Antimicrobial
- Antiphlogistic
- Anti-hematoma
- Anti-inflammatory
- Tissue regenerative
- Nervine
- Expectorant
- Emollient
- Antiseptic
- Mucolytic
- Diuretic
- Fungicidal
Contents
What is helichrysum oil?
Helichrysum is an essential oil that has a beautiful earthy and herbal scent. It is a very costly oil extracted from Helichrysum angustifolia and the Helichrysum italicum found in Italy, France, Greece, Bosnia and Croatia, among other surrounding countries. It can be also found in South Africa, Algeria, Morocco and Cyprus.
There is a reason why it is called “everlasting” or “immortelle.”
Not only are the leaves evergreen and aromatic giving the impression of never withering regardless of the season, the flowers never lose their yellow color even when dried and the health benefits will constantly keep you in good health.
Helichrysum Italicum or Immortelle oil?
From the 500 different species of the helichrysum plant, only the Helichrysum italicum has medicinal properties. Younger plants are favored in harnessing helichrysum essential oil because they yield more oil. In fact, despite the many species of the plant very few actually yield oil.
This plant is very sensitive to soil composition and climatic changes. Any changes in these factors will cause the plant to alter the percentage of neryl acetate which naturally occurs in the plant.
The plant is characterized by oblong, hairy leaves and a cluster of small, yellow ball-shaped flowers.
When the leaves are crushed, they release a pleasant aroma although the flower is the producer of the essential oil and it is usually steam distilled to harvest the oil.
How to use helichrysum oil for scars?
Scars occur when a wound reaches the dermis (the inner layer of the skin) and the process of cicatrisation begins to help the wound heal.
This process involves collagen and skin tissue filling up the hole left by the scar although the new skin does not match the surrounding patch of skin. This is why scars do not have hair growing on them or have oil and sweat glands.
Pitted scars
At the same time, it will keep the healing process going reducing the scarring visibly. Keep in mind that this can be a long process depending on how extensive the scarring is.
Application:
Mix 3-5 drops of helichrysum essential oil, 2 drops of lavender oil and 2 drops of neroli oil into a jar containing jojoba oil. Mix the ingredients and apply to your face every morning and evening.
Ice pick scars
Ice pick scars look like small pricks in the skin and can even be mistaken for large pores from a distance. They are difficult to treat because they have very deep penetration into the skin but they can be diminished with time.
Helichrysum oil works deep within the dermis to smooth over the scarring and heal the skin from within. Its emollient nature allows the skin to stay soft and hydrated for the scarring to begin reducing.
Application:
Use coconut oil as the carrier oil in this instance because it not only blends very well with helichrysum oil but it is also deeply nourishing and has great healing properties to complement.
Mix 5 drops of the essential oil into the coconut oil and thoroughly mix the two. Apply liberally after a shower and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes. Wipe off the excess oil.
Old scars
Old scars are tough to eliminate because they have had time to build resistance to reduction. Types of old scars include:
- Atrophic scars – scars that cause an indentation in the skin (stretch marks)
- Hypertrophic scars – scars that are raised on the skin surface (acne, eczema and psoriasis scars)
- Keloidal scars – elevated scars and benign tumors that can spread beyond the affected areas
Helichrysum is just the oil to get rid of old scars because it stimulates the growth of new tissue to replace the old scarred ones. It has tissue regenerative properties that are essential for the reduction and elimination of old scars.
Application:
You can apply helichrysum oil directly onto the site of the scar, but first make sure it is diluted.
Do this every day in the morning and in the evening and you will notice a marked difference in the severity of the scar.
Scar prevention
Because helichrysum oil is a strong antibacterial agent that will fight infections, keep the wound clean and promote tissue regeneration earlier on in the healing process.
By facilitating the regeneration of new, healthy tissue the chances of scarring are reduced tremendously.
Application:
A powerful scar prevention blend can be made from 10 drops of helichrysum oil, 4 drops of lavender, 10 drops of myrrh and rosehip oil. Shake the mixture thoroughly and apply.
Scars after surgery
This one is tricky because the wound has to be carefully cared for and must also be left undisturbed in order to heal.
Get the consent of your physician before using any essential oil on your wound after surgery.
The rule of thumb is not to use any essential oils on the wound for two weeks after the surgery and only after the stitches or steri strips have been removed.
Application:
Make a nice blend of helichrysum, lavender, neroli and jojoba oil. Choose the jojoba oil because it is easily absorbable just like our natural skin sebum.
Apply the blend twice a day after a shower while your skin is still moist but after properly drying the surgical site.
How to dilute helichrysum oil for scars?
It is always advised that you should not use an essential oil in its “neat” form. It is also widely understood that concentrated substances are not intended to be used as they are.
Diluting an oil prevents issues like skin irritation or burns to the skin.
You can dilute essential oils using water or a carrier oil. With the following dilution options you can achieve a different consistency to your blend:
Jojoba oil
This oil provides a lightweight consistency because it mimics the naturally excreted human sebum.
Coconut oil
If you are looking for a rich and luxurious consistency then coconut oil is for you. It is a heavy oil which lends a heavy base to the blend.
Rosehip oil
Rosehip seed oil also provides a light consistency although the oil itself has a strong scent about it.
Sweet almond oil
This is a beautiful medium consistency oil that lends smooth application to the blend.
Avocado oil
Here is another rich oil although it has a medium consistency to it. It is not as heavy as coconut oil but neither is it as light as jojoba. It is rich in fatty acids and emollient properties.
Helichrysum oil for scars compared
Helichrysum oil vs. vitamin E oil
Vitamin E is a common component of carrier oils but as a stand-alone oil, it is even more potent. It is hard to make the comparison between these two oils but helichrysum comes out on top because it can do much more than vitamin E oil.
Helichrysum oil vs. rosehip oil
Rosehip oil is favored for fighting skin conditions including reducing scarring and helping to regenerate new tissue but so is helichrysum. Rosehip has a few tricks up its sleeve that is difficult to beat.
Helichrysum oil vs. tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is a powerhouse of heavy hitting healing and rejuvenating properties. It goes neck to neck with helichrysum oil for offering much of the same benefits.
Helichrysum oil vs. tamanu oil
This oil is a widely respected for it healing properties. It has a powerful agent that brings about the quick regeneration of new tissue and reducing the chances of scarring significantly.
Other uses of helichrysum oil
For tinnitus
Tinnitus is a condition that afflicts the ear and is characterized by ringing and noises in the ear despite there being no such sounds. Swelling and pain in the ear can occur in cases of tinnitus.
Helichrysum oil can be used to drain the ear by being massaged gently to the earlobe and behind the ear. This oil can also help to regenerate the nerves in the ears and neck that may be affected causing tinnitus.
For stretch marks
Stretch marks can be hard to get rid of but helichrysum oil is able to reduce their appearance by promoting the growth of new tissue cells.
It has powerful regenerative properties which enable the skin to become supple, nourished and soft as it heals.
For pain
Pain relief is one of the fortes of helichrysum oil. It is a powerful anti-inflammation agent which helps reduce the swelling, irritation and redness of the affected area.
It also helps with circulation and with adequate circulation pain relief is properly distributed. Being nervitive all you need to do is to rub the oil for relief of deep nerve pain.
For hyperpigmentation
It is not only a painful condition, it is a glaring one and most people do not want that kind of attention. Helichrysum will calm the skin when it is irritated and soothe rashes and inflammation.
These soothing qualities can be harnessed during the infection and even when the inflammation has caused hyperpigmentation.
For burns
Burns result in extensive scarring and in order to prevent such scarring the flow of blood must be adequate to the burnt areas. Helichrysum oil facilitates blood circulation which helps the body fight scarring.
It also helps to reduce the scarring by nourishing and moisturizing the area. Scars are more visible when the skin on them is dry and stretched.
Helichrysum oil skin recipes
Recipe 1
Ingredients
- 5 drops of frankincense oil
- 10 drops of helichrysum oil
- ¾ cup of coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon of shea butter
Mix all the ingredients in a jar and heat the jar in water in low to medium heat. Let the ingredients melt and then cool. Use the oil as preferred.
Recipe 2
Ingredients
- 1 tbs of coconut oil
- 1 tbs of apple cider vinegar
- 20 drops of helichrysum essential oil
- 3 tbs of honey
Mix all the ingredients and beat the mixture well until everything blends well. Use the oil as needed.
Recipe 3
Ingredients
- 5 drops of helichrysum oil
- 5 drops of lavender oil
- 20 drops of jojoba oil
Mix the ingredients together and drop the mixture into warm bath water. Soak in the bath and apply the same mixture after leaving the bath.
Can you take helichrysum oil internally?
It is not advisable to ingest this oil. It is best to use the oil topically or inhale the diffused oil.
Conclusion
Helichrysum oil is an oil that deserves the respect of both the essential oil realm and the pharmaceuticals. It has been used in anti-aging products, scar reducing products and infection-fighting products among many others.
Having been used by the Greeks from time immemorial it has earned a place in history and in the hall of fame of essential oils.
Image credits: snappygoat.com, pixabay.com and thescienceofacne.com
