Helichrysum italicum
Jewel of Essential Oil Kingdom
Immortelle
Immortelle is an Essential Herb from the Helichrysum Genus and Asteraceae Family. There are six houndred different kinds of Immortelle throughout the world.
Stem
Immortelle stem is a short bush with tiny yellow flowers and a pleasant, mildly sharp smell. As such, it is a classic representative of the Herbs of the Dalmatian – Herzegovinian karst. The branchy stem of the Immortelle herb is covered with strong leaves with tiny hairs. The leaves are green on the front side, and grey green on the back. The bottom leaves often form a beautiful rossette.
Aromaticity
Immortelle's chemical composition contains many aromatic compound, such as:
italdion, α-kariofilen, γ-kurkumen, α-pinen, β-pinen, linalol, geraniol, nerol. The strong aromatic properties are the reason why Immortelle and other medicinal herbs are an important ingredient in farmacy, cosmetic industry and cookery.
The Flower
The top of the stem is crowned with tiny yellow flowers, blossoming May to July. The Immortelle flowers are known as „Immortal flowers“, since they remain yellow, even after the Immortelle is picked and dried. They were for this reason used for making wreaths in ancient Greece.
Health
Immortelle is an antialergen, antikoagulant, antiseptic, diuretic, fungicid and an antiinflamatory. It is used in treating gastroliths and gallstones, for improving apetite and stimulating liver functions, in therapies relieving symptoms of respiratory organs problems. Immortelle also has an antibacterial effect. It is a good anti inflamatory, so it can be use din treating hematomas, scars, eczemas, skin infections and allergic reactions. Immortelle stimulates the synthezis of collagen, so it is notably used in cosmetic industry. Besides that, it is also used as a spice in cookery, with rice, chicken, cooked vegetables, soops, sauces, etc. Some also call it „Curry-Plant“, for it's remarkable aroma, although it is not one of the ingredients of the curry spice.
Aqua Aromatica
During the production process, the water steam extracts the essential oils from Immortelle plants. As the oils pour down the condenser, so does the steam also condense. Such water, known as Aqua Aromaticae or flower waters(hidrolats) always contains smaller quantities of essential oils. It is used in cosmetic, soap and fragrance industry.
Icon made by http://www.freepik.com from www.flaticon.com
Essential Oils
Immortelle Essential Oils are produced in steam distilleries. The steam extracts the essential oils, which pour down in the condenser. There are many chemical compounds present in these Essential Oils: esters(neril-acetat), sesquiterpenes(α-kariofilen, γ-kurkumen), monoterpenes(α-pinen, β-pinen, δ-limonen), alcohols(linalol, geraniol, nerol, furfurol), fenols(eugenol), oxides(1,8-cineol), diketons(italdions, β-diketons). The chemical composition makes the oils highly usable in pharmacy and cosmetic industry.