Helichrysum ItalicumHelichrysum Italicum (Italian Everlasting, Immortelle) Certified Organic from Corsica The steam distilled oil of the Italian Everlasting is one of the strongest anti-inflammatories I know of. I use it in all my skin blends, and have been known to use it neat on bad bruises. The fragrance is warm, rich and buttery, slightly honey like, with green notes of wood, spices, herb. It is a fascinating oil because it is made up of several layers of notes that appear to unfold during the dry down. Helichrysum is antibacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal. It is a component of my anti-acne blends, as well as useful in any rash or skin irritation (blended with German Chamomile CO2 it gives amazing results!). The literature on aromatherapy are full of anecdotal evidence of Helichrysum Italicum’s amazing power when used on broken bones, stories of doctors being amazed that the break healed in half the estimated time, etc. My personal experience is that it can fade bruises almost overnight, turning an angry new bruise to one that looks like an almost healed, week old bruise while I slept. It acts by having the blood reabsorbed into the tissue, thus removing the discoloration and the pain caused by pressure on the nerves. It has been known to have profound healing effects in the treatment & prevention of : rosacea and redness, it soothes sun burns and inflamed skin, a fantastic oil in the treatment of aged skin, stretch mark, varicous vein & their ulcers, eczema, psoriasis, stains, difficult scars and scabs, contact eczema, itching and scratching, adult & teenage acne wounds of all kinds and much more. In fact Immortelle has traditionally been used for anti-inflammatory, cell-regenerating, pain reducing, calming, and uplifting properties . A powerful healing oil indeed!