We often act irresponsibly towards nature, mostly out of greed. We search and drill the world over for oil and natural gas, and mine the earth for copper, uranium, and coal, diamonds and gold, all of them extremely valuable commodities; all the more precious because they are our planet’s limited, non-renewable resources. And in the process, we turn our backs to the wealth of riches nature lays with such abundance at our feet, year after year, as a reminder that not all that glitters is gold.
Case in point: the 600 species of flowering plants in the sunflower family, known as helichrysum. There must be something special about a family of herbs that derives its botanical name from the ancient Greek words for sun, helios, and golden, chrysos. And it goes far beyond the flowers’ unique ability to retain their vibrant yellow color and intricate form even after being cut and dried.
Beautiful as the flower might be, there’s more to helichrysum than meets the eye.
Helichrysum’s roots go back in time
The herb has been revered since ancient times, starting with the Egyptians and the Greeks. A 1700-year-old funerary wreath, woven in Roman Egypt, and found in a tomb inside a pyramid at Hawara, about 100 km south of Cairo, is now on display in the British Museum. It is the first evidence we have that people associated the plant with eternal love and life.
More such claims were to follow, in the form of origin myths. Themistagoras from Ephesus attributes helichrysum’s name to the nymph Helichrysi who, he wrote, first planted it and gave it the gift of eternal youth. Later, the Roman poet Ovid, in his aptly named poem Metamorphoses, tells the story of Galatea, a sea-nymph of Sicily, who attracted the attention of Polyphemus, the one-eyed Cyclops. But Galatea already had a lover, Acis. So Polyphemus, mad with jealousy, killed him. Distraught, Galatea then turned Acis into a river. And as she mourned him and cried, her tears gave life to the first helichrysum, a plant as everlasting as the lovers’ feelings for each other.
Helichrysum’s properties and benefits
Equally enduring throughout the centuries has been the belief that helichrysum’s flowers and leaves can treat a range of health disorders, including allergies, colds, cough, skin inflammations and infections, and sleeplessness.
One of the earlier references of the herb’s medicinal uses appears in “Historia Plantarum,” a work by the Greek philosopher and botanist Theophrastos from the island of Lesbos. According to him, the herb was to be used in the treatment of burns (mixed with honey) and against stings or bites of venomous animals. In fact, popular traditional medicine in many Mediterranean countries continues to this day to use the herb for its anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties, as well as its antiseptic effects, prompting scientists to continue researching helichrysum’s many beneficial properties.
The possible benefits of helichrysum include:
1. Helichrysum may prevent of infections
Recent research has found that helichrysum has important anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, and can reduce swelling, pain, and redness from infections.
2. Helichrysum may prevent burnout and exhaustion
A pilot study in 2013 concluded that inhaling a mixture of essential oils (peppermint, basil, and helichrysum) reduced the perceived level of burnout and exhaustion.
3. Helichrysum may heal wounds, coughs, and colds
A 2022 South African study showed that the leaf and stem of helichrysum are good sources of potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorous, and iron, as well as vitamins B2, C, and E, supporting “the folkloric utility of the plant in the traditional treatment of wounds, coughs, and colds.”
A little gold goes a long way
Helichrysum is perhaps one of the last best kept secrets of nature. But the herb’s properties are being studied more and more, proving what generations of practical doctors and healers knew all along: that a little helichrysum can go a long way.
That’s why we have added helichrysum to three of our skincare and wellness products.
Our ATHONITES PROTECT AND RESCUE PRECIOUS OIL FACE & NECK, scented with helichrysum essential oil, is a powerful blend of 9 supercharged oils, with 100% natural origin ingredients. It protects against dehydration and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and rejuvenates the skin, thanks to the strong, natural action of our plant extracts from Mount Athos.
Our ATHONITES STIMULATE AND REVITALIZE ANTIOXIDANT MOISTURIZING SERUM FACE & NECK is a concentrated serum with helichrysum flower extract, rich in antioxidant and anti-aging properties. It moisturizes the skin, leaving it replenished, toned, and smooth.
Our ATHONITES MULTICARE BALM is an organic first aid wonder with helichrysum flower extract. As a powerfully nourishing balm, it protects and repairs the skin’s barrier, keeping the skin healthy and radiant.
Nature is a true treasure trove. Striking gold is not hard, when we know where to look.
