Tending to Your Skin: Holistic Healing with Helichrysum, Calendula, and Juniper Berry
Three Pathways to Skin Wellness: Healing, Nourishment, and Detox
Karen Williams
October 19, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes
Hello Friend!
There’s something truly magical about the Helichrysum genus. Who would have thought that one family of plants could contain so many distinct species, each offering its unique benefits? It’s fascinating—and sometimes a little overwhelming! Whether I’m choosing an herb, essential oil, or even a supplement, I always want to be sure I’m selecting the right one for the right reason. Our bodies are incredible, with their innate ability to heal and rebalance when given the intentional support. What excites me about exploring different varieties of Helichrysum is discovering which one best aligns with the body’s natural rhythms and needs.
As I’m walking outside today, I can’t help but notice the gentle shifting of the season, the way nature quietly knows how to adjust and thrive with each new phase. It reminds me so much of our bodies. With just the proper care, they adapt to changes, too—whether in environment, emotions, or physical health. The world of Helichrysums feels like that, offering different support depending on what our bodies ask for.
Preparing for my upcoming workshop on four unique Helichrysum species has been inspiring. It’s a process that takes months—researching, experimenting, and inevitably following interesting rabbit trails! Whenever I think I’ve figured it out, I uncover something new that deepens my understanding and appreciation of these plants.
Amid all this preparation, I recently found myself needing a little healing support of my own. After getting a small surface scar on my forehead, I realized that I had exactly what I needed, with my oils sitting at my fingertips and their familiar scents filling the air. Helichrysum italicum is renowned for its skin-repairing properties, and I’ve found it to be a gentle yet effective remedy for soothing and healing scars. If you’ve been curious about how to use Helichrysum italicum for skincare, I’d love for you to try this simple recipe.
Gentle Helichrysum italicum Scar Serum
A soothing blend to support healing and skin rejuvenation.
Ingredients:
5 drops Helichrysum essential oil (Helichrysum italicum)
2 drops lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
0.5 fl oz (15 ml) rosehip seed oil (Rosa canina)
0.5 fl oz (15 ml) jojoba oil (Simmondsia chinensis)
Directions:
Combine the Rosa canina (rosehip seed oil) and Simmondsia Chinensis (jojoba oil) in a 1 oz (30 ml) glass bottle.
Add the Helichrysum italicum and Lavandula angustifolia essential oils, and gently shake the bottle to blend.
Apply a few drops of the serum to your scar twice daily—morning and evening. Gently massage the oil into the skin using circular motions, encouraging absorption and promoting healing.
Store the serum in a cool, dark place.
While this newsletter isn’t about promoting, it is about sharing good things! Join me live on October 24, 2024, at 1 PM ET, or watch the replay at your convenience for an in-depth exploration of the healing wonders of Helichrysum oils in our specialized workshop. The question often arises: Which Helichrysum essential oil is best for which issue?
This session will unravel the diverse therapeutic applications of different Helichrysum species, including Helichrysum italicum from Corsica and Croatia, Helichrysum bractiferum, and Helichrysum gymnocephalum. Take this opportunity to deepen your understanding and refine your practice!
This week, I wrote about the incredible benefits of Juniper Berry essential oil—especially for circulation in cooler weather and clearing the body of toxins. Juniper Berry essential oil offers soothing warmth and supports the body’s natural detox process, making it an ideal companion as the seasons shift.
Here are a few things discussed in the post…
Detox Support: Promotes the release of toxins, reduces bloating, and supports lymphatic drainage.
Circulation Booster: Stimulates blood flow, eases cold hands and feet, and relieves tiredness.
Pain Relief: Soothes stiff joints, calms nerve pain, and reduces swelling from arthritis or neuralgia.
Warming Energy: Perfect for chilly days, bringing comfort and movement to areas of tension.
Gentle & Safe: No safety concerns for Juniperus communis, making it suitable for regular use.
Explore the full post for a DIY massage oil recipe and more on Juniper Berry’s history and properties.
Click here!
This week’s spotlight is on Calendula hydrosol, an absolute gem in natural skincare. Sourced from the gentle petals of organic Calendula officinalis flowers in the United States, this hydrosol is known for its soothing, calming properties. It’s perfect for sensitive or irritated skin—gentle enough for babies but effective enough for chronic conditions. Whether treating a burn, soothing a rash or simply refreshing your skin, Calendula hydrosol works wonders as a natural, skin-loving tonic. I’ve found it particularly helpful for dry, flaky skin during colder months, as it hydrates while reducing inflammation. It has a light, herbaceous aroma that feels like a soft, comforting hug for my skin.
Calendula hydrosol is also a fantastic base for blends, especially when you want to boost healing. Paired with oils like Juniper Berry and Helichrysum, it makes a profoundly restorative skin mist for chronic wounds and weepy areas. (Use a natural dispersant, like Solubol, to be sure your oils are distributed through the water-based hydrosol.)
Here is the link:
Calendula Hydrosol
This week, I’m sharing a recipe that makes a difference—one of my favorites for soothing irritated skin, supporting chronic wounds, and giving your skin a healthy glow. This remarkable blend combines Calendula hydrosol with essential oils that provide healing, antimicrobial, and restorative properties. With every spritz, it not only nurtures the skin but also offers a moment of aromatic renewal for the spirit.
Ingredients:
Yield: 1 fl oz (30 ml)
1 fl oz (30 ml) Calendula hydrosol (Calendula officinalis)
2 drops Juniper Berry essential oil (Juniperus communis)
1 drop Helichrysum essential oil (Helichrysum italicum)
1 drop Tea Tree essential oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)
16 drops Solubol dispersant
Instructions:
Combine everything in a glass spray bottle, shake gently before each use, and spritz on the affected areas to support healing. Calendula’s soothing nature, paired with Juniper’s warmth and Tea Tree’s antimicrobial properties, make this blend a powerful ally for troubled skin. Helichrysum, known for its restorative abilities, rounds out the blend to accelerate skin repair.
From the Vine
Q&A on Calendula
Question: This week, a great question arose in the community: “Can I spray hydrosol directly on a wound?”
Answer: The answer is yes!
Hydrosols, like Calendula, are gentle enough to be used directly on the skin—even on wounds. Just make sure your hydrosol is fresh and stored properly, ideally in a cool, dark place like your fridge.
If it’s a deeper wound, be cautious about using Helichrysum essential oil in the blend. While it’s a fantastic healer, it works from the top down, and we want deeper wounds to heal from the inside out. As an R.N., I often dealt with wound care, and sometimes the simplest remedies are the most effective. A spritz of a well-stored hydrosol can be incredibly soothing and supportive for wound healing.
Want to join in on the conversation?
Reply