Helichrysum Gymnocephalum Essential Oil
Helichrysum gymnocephalum
Description
This profile pertains specifically to Helichrysum Gymnocephalum Essential Oil. The therapeutic properties, aromatic profile and safety precautions of Helichrysum Gymnocephalum Essential Oil are different than for Helichrysum Italicum Essential Oil. As with all essential oils, it's important to doublecheck the botanical name of the oil that you are working with.
Helichrysum gymnocephalum is also commonly known as Rambiazina, according to Robert Tisserand (Essential Oil Safety Edition 2) and Peter Holmes (Aromatica Volume 1).
I have not yet worked extensively with Helichrysum Gymnocephalum Essential Oil, but I do get asked about it on a somewhat regular basis. Because Helichrysum Italicum Essential Oil is more expensive than Helichrysum Gymnocephalum Oil,, the biggest question AromaWeb visitors tend to ask is if Helichrysum Gymnocephalum Essential Oil offers the exact same therapeutic benefits as Helichrysum Italicum Oil. The answer is no.
The chemistry of both essential oils is vastly different. Helichrysum Italicum Essential Oil contains italidiones and is much more abundant in Neryl Acetate and Gamma-Curcumene, making it more anti-inflammatory and more suitable for use in skin-care applications. (See the Helichrysum Italicum Essential Oil Profile for more information.)
Helichrysum Gymnocephalum Essential Oil contains approximately 60-70% 1,8 cineole. Cineole is an ether (oxide) that is also abundant in Eucalyptus Globulus and Eucalyptus Radiata Essential Oils. When you inhale the aroma, you'll notice it has a primarily camphor-like aroma that is actually from the significant content of cineole present in the oil. Helichrysum Gymnocephalum Essential Oil is an invigorating essential oil that is well suited for use for respiratory applications. For more information on its potential therapeutic applications, see the Properties and Uses section further down on the page.
Aromatically, Helichrysum Gymnocephalum Essential Oil blends well with the Eucalypt essential oils (i.e. Eucalyptus Globulus and Eucalyptus Radiata), Rosemary, citrus oils particularly Lemon and Grapefruit, Peppermint, and essential oils in the conifer family.
Helichrysum Gymnocephalum Essential Oil Properties, Benefits and Uses
- Expectorant
- Anti-Allergic
- Anti-Inflammatory
- Astringent
- Deodorizing
Source: Peter Holmes LAc, MH, Aromatica Volume 1: A Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics, Principles and Profiles (London and Philadelphia: Singing Dragon, 2016, 209.
Botanical Name
Plant Family
Common Method of Extraction
Steam Distilled
Plant Part Typically Used
Color
Clear
Consistency
Thin
Perfumery Note
Top - Middle
Strength of Initial Aroma
Medium - Strong
Aromatic Description
Helichrysum Gymnocephalum Essential Oil smells camphorous, fresh, and slightly damp/earthy during dryout.
Major Constituents
Helichrysum Gymnocephalum Essential Oil does not contain italidiones. [Source: Robert Tisserand, Tisserand Institute Facebook Post March 27, 2017 (Accessed April 26, 2020).]
- 1,8-Cineole
- Bicyclosesquiphellandrene
- Gamma-Curcumene
- a-Amorphene
- Bicylogermacrene
- p-Cymene
- Delta-Cadinene
- B-Selinene
- Terpinen-4-ol
Source: S. Afoulous, H. Ferhout, E.G. Raoelison, et al., Helichrysum gymnocephalum essential oil: chemical composition and cytotoxic, antimalarial and antioxidant activities, attribution of the activity origin by correlations. Molecules 16, 2011), 8272-8291. Source cited in Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 402.
See Essential Oil Safety for a more complete list of typical constituents.
Helichrysum Gymnocephalum Essential Oil Safety Information
Tisserand and Young indicate that due to its 1,8 cineole content, Helichrysum Gymnocephalum Essential Oil may cause CNS and breathing problems in young children. They caution against using Helichrysum Gymnocephalum Essential Oil on or near the face of infants and children. Reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 402.]
General Safety Information
Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. For general dilution information, read AromaWeb's Guide to Diluting Essential Oils. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. Before using this or any essential oil, carefully read AromaWeb's Essential Oil Safety Information page. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.
Shelf Life
Important Information About the Profiles
The essential oil information provided on AromaWeb is intended for basic educational purposes only. The references to safety information, test results, constituents and percentages is generalized information. Essential oils can vary greatly in composition. The data is not necessary complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate. The essential oil photos are intended to represent the typical and approximate color of each essential oil. However, essential oil composition and color can vary based on harvesting, distillation, age of the essential oil and other factors. Profiles for several CO2 Extracts and absolutes are included within the directory, and are denoted as such.
