Of the more than 300 confirmed helichrysum species, there are only a select few that are designated to be worthy of transforming into the revered healing essential oil. While Helichrysum italicum is perhaps the most commonly used species, including all of its subspecies, a number of others are also distilled to create essential oils, absolutes, and/or hydrosols. The chemical compositions of different helichrysum essential oils can differ based on a number of characteristics, including species and subspecies used, country of origin, and environmental conditions (temperature, soil, moisture, altitude, etc.). However, a study done on the topic suggests that of all these contributing factors, it may be altitude that has the greatest effect on different oil profiles. It has been suggested that plants grown at higher altitude tend to be more concentrated in the oil they produce.

While these variations may seem minor, they can contribute to the creation of a vastly different oil profile leading to varying odors, appearances, and even healing benefits.  Thus, when purchasing an essential oil from a distiller or distributor, it is paramount that one obtains the gas chromatography/microspectroscopy data sheet listing the components and their percentages present in the specific oil, especially when planning to use the oil for a specific medicinal benefit.

One of the most pronounced differences in oil content is between the Mediterranean species (e.g. Helichrysum italicum), and the African species (e.g. Helichrysum gymnocephalum). The Mediterranean variety is more likely to contain di-ketones and higher levels of neryl acetate, while African helichrysum species are well-known for their high 1,8-cineole content. The former is prized for anti-inflammatory and regenerative abilities, while the latter is traditionally used to treat infections and other respiratory illnesses, similar to eucalyptus, another oil with high 1,8-cineole content.

A detailed account of each oil can be found within these tabs.