The Secrets of Immortelle: Uncover the Power of Golden Herb
Immortelle – Nature’s Golden Gift
Throughout history, immortelle has been a highly prized plant. The Greeks considered it a symbol of immortality, and the Egyptians used it in their rituals. Even today, this plant is renowned for its regenerative properties.
This was more than enough for Nina Natural to decide, in an age of synthetic products, to return to nature’s roots and harness the benefits of immortelle. Thus, this forgotten jewel of the Mediterranean became the focal point of our domestic natural cosmetics brand.
The Use of Immortelle Through the Ages
There are records of Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks using immortelle in their “pharmacies,” cosmetics, and rituals. The Greeks considered it a symbol of immortality, and in the Middle Ages, it was believed to ward off evil spirits. Today, immortelle is most commonly used in cosmetics and aromatherapy.
The Mysticism of the Plant
Many legends and beliefs are woven around immortelle. It was believed to bring luck, love, and protection. Its golden color associated it with the sun, and its longevity with eternity.
What does immortelle look like and smell like?
Immortelle is recognizable by its curved, green-gray stems, covered in fine, silvery hairs. The most distinctive part of the plant is its bright yellow flowers, gathered in hermaphrodite inflorescences with a corolla that has 5 triangular lobes.
Why Immortelle is So Special?
Immortelle, also known as Helichrysum or the “immortal flower,” holds a special place in the world of natural medicine and cosmetics thanks to its unique chemical composition and impressive healing properties.
Chemical Composition and Healing Properties
The power of immortelle lies in its rich spectrum of active substances, including flavonoids, ketones, terpenes, and phenols. These components give immortelle potent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties.
Immortelle is particularly valued for its high content of diketones, which are crucial for skin regeneration and faster healing of scars, as well as for reducing skin inflammation.
The Importance of Antioxidants and Other Beneficial Substances
Antioxidants in immortelle play a crucial role in protecting the skin from oxidative stress and external harmful influences, such as UV rays and pollution. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, molecules that damage skin cells and contribute to accelerated aging.
In addition to antioxidants, immortelle contains other beneficial substances like italidione, which is known for its ability to even out skin tone, reducing discoloration and hyperpigmentation. Italidiones contribute to faster skin regeneration, leaving healthy skin smooth and radiant.
Immortelle in Cosmetics – The Elixir of Youth
Immortelle oil is particularly valued for its regenerative properties. Rich in italidiones that stimulate skin renewal, immortelle is ideal for reducing the appearance of scars, stretch marks, and wrinkles. These regenerative properties make immortelle an excellent choice for products designed for mature skin or skin that requires intensive renewal.
In addition to regeneration, immortelle is also known for its exceptional moisturizing abilities. Immortelle oil can penetrate deep into the skin, providing long-lasting hydration without clogging pores. This makes it suitable for use in day creams and night masks that are most commonly used in cosmetic preparations for dry and dehydrated skin.
For those with sensitive skin or skin prone to inflammation, immortelle has a soothing effect. Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce redness and irritation, making it ideal for products used after sun exposure or to calm skin after hair removal.
Most Common Cosmetic Product with Immortelle
- Facial Serum: Formulated with high concentrations of immortelle oil, these serums can help reduce fine lines and improve skin elasticity.
- Day and Night Creams: Enriched with immortelle, these creams provide deep hydration and renewal, supporting the skin’s natural barrier and protecting it from daily harmful influences.
- Lip Balms: Immortelle is often used in lip care products due to its ability to soothe and repair chapped skin.
Aromatherapy with the Scent of Immortelle
Immortelle essential oil is prized in aromatherapy for its calming and relaxing properties. Known for its ability to reduce stress, immortelle is ideal for those seeking a natural remedy to combat nervousness and tension caused by our fast-paced modern lives.
Soothing and Relaxing Effects
Immortelle essential oil is a holistic remedy for calming both mind and body, creating a sense of peace and relaxation. Its aroma can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress, improving emotional balance. Additionally, immortelle can help improve sleep quality, making it an excellent choice for use before bedtime.
Ways to Use Immortelle Oil in Aromatherapy
- Diffusion: Adding a few drops of immortelle oil to a diffuser can help purify the air and create a relaxing atmosphere in a room.
- Warm Bath: Adding a few drops of immortelle oil to a warm bath can enhance the relaxation experience, easing muscle tension and soothing the mind.
- Massage: Diluted immortelle oil can be used for massage, providing deep relaxation. Immortelle massage is especially beneficial for relaxing muscles and improving circulation.
- Inhalation: Inhaling a few drops of immortelle essential oil can quickly alleviate respiratory problems, such as coughs or congestion, and also reduce headaches that are often the result of stress.
Immortelle in Traditional Medicine
Immortelle (Helichrysum italicum) has held a prominent place in traditional medicine throughout the Mediterranean for centuries, where it has been used to treat a wide range of ailments. Known for its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antimicrobial properties, immortelle has been the subject of numerous scientific studies that confirm its effectiveness.
H3 Using Immortelle to Treat Various Ailments
Traditionally, immortelle has been used to treat skin conditions such as burns, wounds, and eczema. Thanks to its regenerative properties, immortelle oil is often used to speed up skin healing and reduce the appearance of scars. Additionally, it is used to alleviate respiratory problems such as chronic cough and asthma, as it helps with expectoration and makes breathing easier.
Scientific Research Supporting Immortelle’s Healing Properties
Some studies have shown that immortelle contains compounds that have anti-inflammatory effects similar to some pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory drugs. One published study highlights that immortelle extract can effectively reduce inflammation and pain in both animals and humans. Another study focused on the anticancer properties of immortelle, stating that certain substances found in immortelle can inhibit the growth of tumor cells.
Given that we’ve already mentioned immortelle’s strong antimicrobial properties, immortelle oil can be very effective in combating bacterial infections. One study showed that immortelle can be effective against staphylococcus, E. coli, and other pathogenic bacteria.
How to Choose and Use Immortelle
Choosing a high-quality immortelle plant requires knowledge of a few key aspects that will ensure you get a pure, natural, and therapeutically potent oil.
How to Recognize High-Quality Immortelle Oil
- Checking the product label: On the product label, we expect the Latin name of the plant, Helichrysum italicum. Also, check if the label contains information about the chemotype (the specific chemical composition of the plant), which can indicate specialized oil production and authenticity.
- Certifications and standards in cosmetics: When buying immortelle cosmetics, look for products with organic production certificates.
- Method of obtaining oil: Immortelle oil should be obtained by steam distillation of the whole plant. This method allows the most potent and therapeutically beneficial ingredients to be extracted from the plant.
- Color and scent: High-quality immortelle oil usually has a light yellow to reddish color and a rich, sweet, earthy scent. If the oil has a very mild or unobtrusive scent, it may be a sign that it is not of high quality or has been overly processed, thereby reducing its effectiveness.
Tips for buying pure and natural immortelle oil
Source and origin: Prioritize oil produced in countries with a rich tradition of immortelle cultivation, such as Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, or France. The origin can significantly affect the quality of the oil due to specific growing conditions and climate.
Manufacturer transparency: Choose brands that are transparent about their production methods and provide detailed information about the origin and processing of their oil.
Price: Be wary of oils that are significantly cheaper than the market standard. High-quality immortelle oil usually has a higher price due to the complexity of production and limited availability of raw materials.
Frequently Asked Questions About Immortelle
How to store immortelle oil?
Immortelle oil should be stored in a cool and dark place to preserve its quality and extend its shelf life. It is best to keep it in a glass bottle with dark glass, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. It is also important to ensure that the cap on the bottle is tightly closed to prevent the oil from oxidizing.
Can immortelle oil be used for hair?
Yes, immortelle oil can be extremely beneficial for hair. Thanks to its regenerative properties, immortelle oil can help restore dry and damaged hair, promoting healthy growth and shine. It can be used as a scalp treatment to soothe irritation and reduce dandruff. You can add immortelle oil to your regular shampoo or conditioner, or apply it diluted directly to the scalp and hair before washing as part of a deep treatment.
How often can immortelle oil be used?
Immortelle oil can be used regularly, depending on your needs. For skin treatments, such as reducing wrinkles or treating scars, it can be used once or twice a day. For aromatherapy purposes, such as relaxation or stress reduction, it can be used in a diffuser daily.
Note: It is always advisable to monitor your body’s and skin’s reactions to the product and adjust the frequency of use accordingly.
Can immortelle cause allergic reactions?
Although immortelle is generally well-tolerated by most users, as with any essential oil, there is a possibility of an allergic reaction. Before regular use, it is recommended to do a patch test on a small area of skin to check the reaction. If redness, itching, or other symptoms of irritation occur, you should seek out a different product without immortelle oil.