Helichrysum oils are a fairly expensive oil to produce (and thus purchase), as one ton of hand-harvested flowering tops distills into only two kilograms of essential oil and 40 gallons of hydrosol.

Thus, typical yields of essential oil are approximately 0.2-0.3%, although this number is an average. One study found that the yield from Helichrysum italicum ssp. microphyllum was lower in both the flowering tops and stems, at 0.18% and 0.04%, respectively.

 Another study found that even four different Helichrysum italicum plants taken from Croatia had vastly different yields, ranging from 0.02-0.12%. 

In comparison, yields from lavender plants are around 0.5-1.0%, while from the peppermint plant it is even higher at 1.0-2.5%. However, yields from absolutes derived from helichrysum do tend to be a bit higher.

When observing a mature helichrysum plant, it is not difficult to see why essential oil yields are so low from the plant also known as ‘strawflower’: there is very little liquid content present in the plant. It is for this same reason that helichrysum maintains its long-lasting golden hue and shape, as there is little water to evaporate and alter its form. Finally, low water content allows helichrysum to remain tolerant of droughts and maintain its luster when other plants are failing.

Currently, the average price for five mLs of organic Helichrysum italicum essential oil is between $50-100 USD. Naturally, as the Corsican variety of Helichrysum italicum is the most prized, this oil also tends to have a higher price tag attached, sometimes by a magnitude of 3-5 times. The United States has recently begun producing helichrysum essential oil, and this oil tends to be sold at a lower price point than its European counterparts; however, according to the manufacturers the oils reputably maintain the high levels of therapeutic compounds typically found overseas. 

Luckily, while helichrysum may have a rather high price tag, the oil is highly efficient is small doses due to its potency. In addition, the oil tends to be relatively stable, with a shelf life of up to five years when kept in a proper, darker bottle in a moderately temperate environment. Thus, one small bottle of this essential oil will go far and last long in the medicine cabinet.

In addition, one can purchase a hydrosol of helichrysum, which is considerably cheaper due to the less concentrated nature of the medicinal components found, and the fact that it is technically a byproduct of the essential oil processing. One ounce of Helichrysum italicum hydrosol will often run about $5-10 USD in comparison to Corsican Helichrysum italicum essential oil, which has a price tag of upwards of $250 USD for the same amount!