Helichrysum, the golden sun

Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don, commonly known as Helichrysum, is a strongly aromatic plant widespread throughout the peninsula, especially in the Apennines and along the coastal areas.

During a summer stroll, we’ve all likely experienced being enveloped in a scent reminiscent of licorice…it’s indeed the essence that characterizes this extraordinary wild plant with golden-colored flowers.

Helichrysum, in its various species, has always inspired veneration as it is associated with the worship of the Sun, a symbol of eternity: the intense yellow color of the flowers is preserved over time, giving the illusion that they do not wither, which is why they are often used in decorations. Already in ancient Egyptian times, it was depicted in many paintings and used as a garland for the statues of the gods.

Helichrysum boasts a long-standing knowledge and dissemination in folk tradition, but despite this, it was a plant that experienced a long period of obscurity from the world of research.

It was only in the 1950s of the last century that, thanks to the studies conducted by Dr. Santini, a Tuscan doctor and pharmacologist, Helichrysum regained the right notoriety as a medicinal plant with significant therapeutic properties.

Observing farmers who used Helichrysum infusions to treat bronchial ailments in livestock, he began to experiment with them also in respiratory pathologies in humans.

These experiments, in addition to confirming his therapeutic expectations, also highlighted other potential properties of the plant.

The patients treated during the experiments not only suffered from respiratory diseases but also from skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, which unexpectedly healed following the treatment with Helichrysum carried out by Dr. Santini.

From here arose the interest in the plant for the treatment of psoriatic subjects, through the use of a decoction of the flowering tops.

To confirm his assumptions, Santini sought the collaboration of highly qualified researchers who also formulated the hypothesis of a detoxifying hepatic activity.

Following numerous clinical and pharmacological studies on Helichrysum, it was possible to demonstrate and confirm its anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, anti-erythematous, photoprotective, expectorant, balsamic, and hepatoprotective activity.

Regarding the use of Helichrysum in the treatment of psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease, a clinical study has recently been conducted that confirmed its efficacy: the treatment involved the administration of Fluid Extract internally, while externally applying Helichrysum oleolite (10%) and balneotherapy with a concentrated plant decoction (20%).

Patients showed clinical improvement after about 3 weeks of therapy, characterized by healing of erythematous-scaly patches, reduction of itching, regression of erythema, and progressive re-epithelialization.

For these characteristics, Helichrysum is also particularly effective in erythema caused by excessive sun exposure and burns, even severe ones, exerting a tissue repair and anti-inflammatory action.

As already mentioned, this powerful plant also has antiallergic properties, and in a world like ours where the phenomenon of allergies is constantly increasing, this is certainly an aspect worthy of attention.

In particular, it is effective in allergic forms affecting the respiratory system such as asthma and rhinitis, but also skin rashes and dermatitis.

These actions are attributable to the synergy of the active principles of the phytocomplex and sterols, molecules that can be considered pre-hormones, capable of transforming into cortisone-like hormones which play an important role in the allergic reaction.

ELISA CARNEVALE