Helichrysum italicum (immortelle)

Tier 4 — risky / avoid · Topical · Anti-inflammatory · Wound healing

A Mediterranean everlasting flower (Helichrysum italicum) with an essential oil rich in diketones (italidiones), curcumenes, and neryl acetate. Topically used for bruising, wound healing, and scar reduction — with mechanistic support for anti-inflammatory and fibroblast-modulating activity. Oral use is uncommon and poorly evidenced. Most of the clinical reputation rests on traditional Corsican and Dalmatian use, aromatherapy tradition, and in-vitro data. Very expensive due to low yield (1 kg oil from ~1 tonne of flowers).

Dose: Topical only — dilute to 2–5% in carrier oil; apply to bruises/wounds 2–3x daily