Helichrysum italicum
Curry plant
Helichrysum italicum, commonly known as Immortelle or Curry Plant, is a resilient Mediterranean shrub prized in herbal medicine. Renowned for its potent essential oils, it possesses remarkable anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties. Often used in skincare, this golden-flowered botanical promotes healing, revitalizes tissue, and supports skin health effectively.
- Scientific name: Helichrysum italicum
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae and is specifically identified by the genus Helichrysum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Helichrysum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Helichrysum italicum, is referred to by various names across different languages and cultures. In Corsica, it is called Maredda (co), while in Germany, it is commonly known as Italienische Strohblume (de). In other regions, its names often reflect its aromatic qualities, such as カレープラント (ja) in Japanese, Karryplante (da) in Danish, and Kerrieplant (nl) in Dutch.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| co | Maredda | Wikidata |
| de | Italienische Strohblume | Wikidata |
| ja | カレープラント | Wikidata |
| da | Karryplante | Wikidata |
| nl | Kerrieplant | Wikidata |
| hu | olasz szalmagyopár | Wikidata |
| fa | گل جاوید ایتالیایی | Wikidata |
| ru | Цмин итальянский | Wikidata |
| hr | Primorsko smilje | Wikidata |
| sv | Curryeternell | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be noted within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is found growing in Germany. The distribution extends significantly into Southwestern Europe, where it inhabits the Baleares. Additionally, this medicinal plant is commonly located throughout France and Corse.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Kriti | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Immortelle, is primarily valued for its medicinal properties derived from its aerial parts. The essential oils and therapeutic compounds are concentrated within the small, narrow leaves and the vibrant, everlasting flowers. These flowers are particularly notable for their ability to retain their color and shape even after being dried, making the entire above-ground portion of the plant highly useful in various herbal preparations.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aerial parts | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flowers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Helichrysum italicum has 50 reported phytochemicals identified across 64 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include chlorogenic acid, flavonoids, neryl acetate, quercetin, arzanol.
- Total chemicals
- 50
- Scientific sources
- 64
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| chlorogenic acid | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| neryl acetate | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| arzanol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hydroxycinnamic acids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| nerol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rosmarinic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rutin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2-methyl-1-butanol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Helichrysum italicum has 9 reported activities identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antibacterial, Anticarcinogenic, Antiinflammatory.
- Total activities
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 17
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticarcinogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimutagenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiparasitic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Helichrysum italicum has 18 reported medicinal uses identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, antioxidant, infections, Candida albicans, HIV.
- Total uses
- 18
- Scientific sources
- 22
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| inflammation | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infections | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HIV | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus epidermidis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| allergies | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anti-allergic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bacteria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |