Health - Helichrysum Essential Oil - An Exceptional Healer For Sports Injuries

Despite the image of Aromatherapy as lacking in scientific foundation in the United States, the use of pure, therapeutic grade essential oil for medical applications is common throughout much of Europe. The essential oil distilled from the flowers of Helichrysum Italicum is well-known for its broad range of actions, which can support healing of many common sports-related injuries. The essential oil's compounds are known to prevent and relieve blood clotting (helpful for bruising), stimulate tissue regeneration, act as a powerful anti-oxidant, and can reduce inflammation. This combination of effects many help with injuries such as twists and sprains, bruises, tendonitis and the like. Any dedicated athlete would greatly welcome such a non-toxic, effective alternative healing remedy!

Medical aromatherapists understand the efficacy of essential oils for particular conditions; the oils are not considered a natural cure-all, but each plant offers chemical compounds with clear specificity of effects. Beyond the effects of each chemical compound within an oil, some oils efficacy is a clear synergy of the particular chemical makeup. Individual chemicals within essential oils are well-known antivirals, antimicrobials, anti-inflammatories, expectorants, mucolytics, anti-tumorials...and the list goes on. Some essential oils will contain synergies of these compounds; oils suggested for colds will contain components that are antibacterial, antiviral, and mucolytic (cleanses breathing passages) all in one essential oil. And what does this offer for the injured athlete? The possibility of speedier return to training and competition with Helichrysum essential oil, which contains a synergy of compounds which can act to support healing of a great variety of common injuries.

The physiological basis of many sports injuries, both chronic - from overuse - and acute, from impacts, twists and strains, have many similarities. There is usually some cells that have suffered structural damage - some enough that the cells will die and need to be re-grown. There is typically inflammation, which can be a means of the cells protecting themselves, or a result of fluid leakage into the intracellular space. This fluid can be blood from damaged capillaries, and appear as bruising; either way swelling will prevent proper perfusion - or nutrient and waste exchange - at the damaged site. This can lead to secondary damage - where cells around the originally damaged tendon, ligament or muscle cells are also becoming damaged by lack of oxygenation or nutrient supply. Further damage can occur through the over-production of free-radicals under such conditions. One can imagine the phenomenon of ice being applied immediately after an injury leading to a significantly shorter (and less painful) recovery - a long wait increases the possibility of secondary damage. The ice prevents the secondary damage associated with swelling and oxidation from occurring.

Now for a look at the synergistic actions of Helichrysum Italicum essential oil (there are several types of Helichrysum essential oil available - it is the Italicum, also known as Everlasting or Immortele, that has these particular properties. It is more rare, and more costly than other types of Helichrysum, but worth the extra cost). Helichrysum has a high percentage of anti-inflammatory sesquiterpenes - nearly 50% of it's makeup. Another 40% is made up of Esters with marked relaxing effects on tissues - relieving tension in injured areas and allowing natural perfusion to take place. The third major component is a di-ketone, which signals tissues to regenerate. These di-ketones are rare, and Helichrysum Italicum contains the highest known percentage.

In 'Medical Aromatherapy', Dr. Schnaubelt indicates that the effects of many essential oils cannot be explained completely by the actions of their individual components - many oils' effects are greater than the sum of their parts. The synergy of the components in Helichrysum produces a particularly sensational healing result. A recent user of the oil, who had been a professional triathlete, then cyclist, then 'casual' marathon runner, was having chronic pain in an achilles tendon. Overuse - and perhaps a stiff clutch on an old car - lead him to believe that despite excellent fitness, he wound not be able to take part in an upcoming major marathon. The injury hurt every time he ran; he had been a proponent of alternative therapies for many years, with some success using DMSO for tendon-related inflammation. He had not found DMSO (often used on racehorses for similar injuries) to be as effective on chronic injuries as acute ones, and this achilles issue was no different - nothing was helping fast enough where he knew he could make the race. For the first time, he gave Helichrysum essential oil a try, applying undiluted (Helichrysum is very well tolerated this way) to the area twice daily. Within two days, he was running without pain, and ran a personal best at the marathon event.

In this instance, the application of Helichrysum reduced pain (and likely inflammation as well) in the area, and supported regeneration of the damaged tendon tissues. The essential oil should prove just as effective with acute injuries as well - it's noted ability to reduce the clotting of blood, along with it's anti-inflammatory and tissue regenerative properties give it a seemingly complete natural arsenal to speed healing in most common sport-related injuries. In fact, this could extend to a very wide variety of trauma injuries, though great care should be taken to use as an adjunct to proper allopathic medical care in such cases.

Helichrysum is a somewhat rare and costly oil. It has been noted in the literature that only pure essential oil of Helichrysum italicum flowers will have this combination of effects. If you decide to try the oil for yourself, be sure of your source, and that the species is correct (there are other Helichrysum varieties, look for ones known as 'Everlasting' or 'Immortelle' - these are synonyms for the 'italicum' variety). For minor injuries, apply a thin film directly to the area one or more times a day. The oil will absorb directly into the skin, and does not cause any reaction or sensitivity for most individuals. The oil can be applied directly for more serious injuries as well, though this should be done only in conjunction with professional medical care. Continue to apply until no longer needed - application to broken tissue is fine, and in fact the oil has been used to speed skin healing and reduce scar formation. A base oil may also be used - Helichrysum combines well with Hazelnut and Rosehip seed oils, and can be diluted down to 5% of the total solution and still be effective. In any case, be aware of how your body is responding, and consult a medical professional whenever there is any question about your healing program.