Helichrysum italicum

The aroma of Helichrysum italicum essential oil is characterized as being one of a warm, spicy, herbaceous honey, with the high levels of neryl acetate imparting a fresh floral fragrance to the mix. It has been said that this is the only true species to be labeled ‘Immortelle,’ or ‘Everlasting,’ as this species is the only to embody the regenerative effects often attributed to the entire helichrysum species.This species is characterized by high levels of phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids, coumarins, and dicaffeolyquinic acids. However, the levels of components in Immortelle oil can vary drastically even across country of origin. One study obtained four samples of Helichrysum italicum taken from the Mediterranean nation of Croatia. While all four samples were similar in the types of compounds they contained, they varied drastically in the amounts of each compound. The authors attribute the difference to factors such as altitude and other geographical growing constraints.

The high levels of neryl acetate in Helichrysum italicum (more so than in almost any other essential oil produced from another plant) promote a calming effect that is not typically found in other species of helichrysum. However, it is believed that only Helichrysum italicum from the island of Corsica is endowed with the typically unseen levels of neryl acetate, therefore oil obtained from these species tends to be sold at a higher price point. A true Corsican Immortelle oil should have levels of neryl acetate approximating 30% or more, in addition to a di-ketone content ranging from 8-12%.

Typical oil composition:

α-pinene - 21.7%

ϒ-curcumene - 10.4%

Neryl acetate - 6.1%

β-selinene - 6.0%

Italidone I - 5.1%

β-caryophyllene - 5.0%

ar-curcumene - 4.0%

Italicene - 4.0%

α-selinene - 3.6%

Caryophyllene oxide - 2.6%

(+)-limonene - 2.4%

Selina-4,11-diene - 2.0%

Italidone III - 2.0%

α-copaene - 1.6%

Isoitalicene - 1.5%

(Z)-α-bergamotene - 1.3%

(E)-α-bergamotene - 1.2%