Immortelle is also known as Italian strawflower. The curry bush is a typical medicinal and spice plant from the Mediterranean region. The plant is not included in the popular curry spice blend, but its bright yellow appearance earned immortelle the name curry bush.
Occurrence and cultivation of immortelle
Immortelle is also known as Italian strawflower. The curry bush is a typical medicinal and spice plant from the Mediterranean region. Immortelle belongs to the composite plant family (Asteraceae). The best known alternative name is Italian immortelle. The scientific name is Helichrysum italicum or Helichrysum angustifolium. This botanical name already makes clear the signature of a sun-loving plant, because in ancient Greek “helios” means sun and “chyrsos” means gold. Due to its bright yellow color and shrubby growth, the medicinal and spice plant is also known as curry bush. It is a hedge plant and semi-shrub from the Mediterranean region with a narrow root system. The yellow flowers and leaves give off a mild scent reminiscent of curry and sage. It prefers sunny and dry places, so it is also called sun gold. The perennial evergreen half-shrub grows 40 to 100 centimeters in height and reaches a diameter of 50 to 120 centimeters. Immortelle grows densely with silvery-gray, slightly sticky leaves that are about two to three centimeters long. The yellow to dark yellow flower heads grow from June to August. The total inflorescence is in racemose umbels, and the partial inflorescence is arranged in a basket shape. The curry bush belongs to the order of asteraceae. The well-known epithet Italian strawflower causes irritation, because the sunny Mediterranean plant is not found exclusively in Italy, but also blooms in Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and other countries of southern Europe. Curry flowers bear their seeds until autumn. Under the right growing conditions without frost, immortelle is an adaptable plant. The soil must be sandy and without waterlogging. If it did not have the bright yellow flowers, this medicinal plant would hardly be visually noticeable.
Effect and application
Immortelle is a versatile medicinal plant, preferably tea and oil are made from its components. As ingredients act bitter substances, essential oils, beta-pinene, borneol, limonene, italidion, nerol, flavonoids and nerylacetate. It has decongestant, balancing, skin soothing, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, fungicidal, fungistatic, fungicidal, insect repellent, wound healing and analgesic effects. Main uses are for bruises and coughs. Furthermore, Italian strawflower is used for joint pain, bruises, veins, varicose veins, skin itching, skin blemishes, sports injuries, fungal infections, sprains, strains and lymphatic congestion. The curry bush is a supplier of the valuable immortelle oil, which is obtained on the basis of the essential oils contained in the plant. However, self-production is not worthwhile, as water distillation is complicated and two kilograms of herb are needed to produce one gram of oil. All plant components are used. However, the oil may only be used externally. It is particularly suitable in the form of compresses against bruises, sprains, bruises and sports injuries. Immortelle essential oil also has expectorant (mucolytic), cell regenerating, expectorant, epithelializing and anticoagulant effects. It is used for wound treatment, burns, phlebitis, polyarthritis, muscle fiber tear and mastectomy. During radiotherapy immortelle oil provides good skin protection. It has a strong effect on the lymphatic system, which is an important part of the immune system. The oil activates and decongests the lymphatic flow. The plant-based essential oil is offered under the name Bio-Helichrysum. Due to its anti-inflammatory effect, immortelle oil is also known as arnica. Immortelle tea is preferably made from the flower heads. If you like, you can also add the herb. 250 milliliters of water is infused with one tablespoon of flowers. After five minutes of infusion, the tea is ready. Drunk three times a day, immortelle tea has an anti-cough and detoxifying effect. The tea is also suitable for skin compresses and baths.Before use, the curry herb is tied into small bunches and dried in a shady and airy place. The sun gold is also suitable as a spice plant. For this purpose, the herb is preferably used. The curry aroma is most intense just before flowering, because during or after flowering it decreases noticeably.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Immortelle is one of the non-toxic medicinal plants, so its use is safe. However, due to the essential oils it contains, careless consumption of the unprocessed parts of the plant can cause stomach irritation. The dried flowers in the form of a tea, however, are harmless. Immortelle essential oil can also be safely applied to the skin and even wounds, as it registers a skin-friendly and anti-inflammatory effect. This distinguishes immortelle oil from most of its “colleagues”, because normally essential oils in unprocessed form are harmful and do not qualify as medicines. The smell of immortelle also has a positive effect on the soul. People who are frozen inside and long for warmth and security, the aroma of immortelle oil helps to find inner balance again. It helps to dissolve inner knots that stand in the way of a daily, balanced life. It gives access to one’s own spiritual center again and helps to dissolve inner tensions and to get involved in changes. Immortelle grounds people who are too preoccupied with themselves and have lost the proverbial “ground under their feet”. Curry herb also enjoys great popularity in homeopathy. The highly effective ingredients can be used without any special knowledge of herbs. The simplest use is in the form of ointment, globules and tablets. Homeopathic medicines are sold under the botanical name Helichrysum italicum. Ointments and oil based on immortelle quickly fade scars and soothe painful sunburns. In aromatherapy, curry herb is an important medicinal plant, which acts against chronic complaints of the respiratory system, such as cough and bronchitis, but also has a positive effect on the complete well-being.
