Yes, it’s true: Helichrysum essential oil provides fast-acting, effective pain relief for a great many physical ailments. Aromatherapy companies are, by law, prevented from advertising this fact directly along with their products, but it’s true. Many, many individuals are regularly using this very healing oil to both reduce pain and, depending on the injury or ailment, to actually speed healing. As noted by Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt, America’s leading medical aromatherapist, the effects of this oil are “so convincing that it has never met with any kind of criticism.” So what’s special about Helichrysum, where do you get it and how do you use it?

Helichrysum is a totally unique pain reliever and wound healer — not only just in the world of aromatherapy, but in the big picture of the entire world of medicine. It rates exceptionally highly in the two most important criteria, safety and efficacy. In terms of safety, it is sometimes prescribed for direct application to the skin at 100% strength (unlike some other pain relieving oils such as Wintergreen). Very conservative therapists do not recommend the oil to be used during pregnancy or by children under 12. It would be a shame however to discard the use of the oil for young children with injuries — like any essential oil, it should be used with respect as a medicine, only using as much as needed to produce the desired healing effect. The classic and important aromatherapy text ‘Essential Oil Safety’, lists the oil as non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitizing.

In terms of efficacy, a great many trained natural therapists have found the oil to be the most profoundly pain relieving of any topical medicine available today. Back ache? Joint pain? Sports injury? Pain due to surgery or other trauma? All these ailments and more can be treated effectively with a preparation of Helichrysum essential oil in the vegetable or nut oil of your choice. Users call it a ‘magic oil’, and claim the pain relief is ‘amazing’. Apricot Kernel oil is commonly used, as it has anti-inflammation properties itself; Rosehip seed and Tamanu oils are used when treating skin damage; Jojoba is a wonderful all-purpose stand-by, good for any application.

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 in the Mediterranean Sea. The climatic conditions and plant genetics result in a unique natural chemical composition of the essential oil with strong anti-inflammate, analgesic and regenerative actions. 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 is considered by many therapists to be one of, if not THE, most profoundly healing essential oil used today. It is safe and effective for a wide variety of physical pain and ailments where the body’s connective tissue, skin, muscles, joints and nerves are affected. (More esoteric aromatherapy even uses the oil as a healer of the heart center, which may be constricted or closed from many years of emotional trauma). Whatever your need for pain relief and healing, Helichrysum essential oil may offer the help you need, quickly and safely.