Immortelle - genus of perennial herbs, dwarf shrubs and bushes family Asteraceae, native to southern Africa, Madagascar, Mascarene Islands, Australia and Asia Minor, even though the plants of this kind (which has more than six hundred species) are cultivated around the world. Latin name Helichrysum - Helichrysum - derived from the Greek words «helios» and «shrysos" and means "golden sun". Indeed, many species of Helichrysum bright yellow flowers, like the sun in miniature.

Harvest everlasting in the early flowering (in June), before the disclosure of baskets and dried, spread a thin layer in the shade. Immortelle has many medicinal properties, so is widely used in folk medicine and cooking. For example, the leaves and the essential oil of Helichrysum is sometimes used as a seasoning for meat and fish dishes. Everlasting uzkolisty gives light taste and aroma of the curry dishes of pork and beef. Leaves and flowers of Helichrysum added to salads, underlining their unusual taste. In addition, the leaves and flowers are often cook and eat in this way, adding to a vegetable stew.

Application of Helichrysum in folk medicine

The healing properties of Helichrysum is provided by the content of useful substances: essential oils, flavonoids, stearin, tannins, bitters, resins, ascorbic acid, carotene, vitamin K, as well as mineral salts and trace elements. In particular, contained in Helichrysum essential oil moisturizes the skin and promotes tissue repair.

Muscle spasms .  When muscle tension often have seizures, that is there is an involuntary muscle contraction .  In most cases, these cramps are brief, but it is very painful and usually occur in the muscles surrounding the heart, skeletal and digestive system .  Helichrysum essential oil contains sesquiterpenes - compounds with anti-inflammatory, sedative and anti-viral properties as well as bacteriostatic and immunostimulating effect - and esters needed to relieve muscle tension .  In addition, the esters have a harmonizing effect on the body, helping to restore the balance at any deviations from the norm .  With intense pain is recommended to apply on the affected area with copious amounts of Helichrysum essential oil and spasm mild to moderate intensity should be mixed Helichrysum oil, lavender and sweet almond oil and apply the mixture to the affected areas .

Hematomas. In the fall or shock damage often occurs in the muscles of blood vessels, which leads to the formation of haematomas. In most cases of hematoma gradually disappear within a few days or two weeks. However, sometimes bruising continue to spread in the tissues, and to remove them may require surgery. Immortelle has anticoagulant properties and helps prevent the spread of hematoma. Add three or four drops of essential oil Helichrysum in a glass of water and drink for a few days until the swelling subsides.

Skin lesions (wounds, burns). Helichrysum Oil - the only essential oil containing di-ketones, substances that promote accelerated wound healing and prevent scarring. This anti-inflammatory and antiseptic so effectively that it can be used as a first aid treatment of open wounds and burns. Apply a small amount of undiluted oil Helichrysum the wound or burn, to stop the bleeding until the expected arrival of doctors. To prevent and reduce scarring, treat the wound closed with a mixture of Helichrysum oil, rose hips and calendula. Repeat for ten consecutive days, two or three times a day if the scars fresh, and within three to six months, if the old scars. To treat burns, add five drops of oil of immortelle, lavender and chamomile oil in aloe Aloe - its amazing healing properties   vera and jojoba oil and apply to the burned skin area.

Mucolytic action. When we get sick a cold or pneumonia, respiratory system allocates too much phlegm (mucus). Immortelle stimulates the hydrolysis, which encourages thinning mucus and facilitates its removal from the body. Immortelle also eases cough and shortness of breath. Mucolytic effect of essential oils Essential oils and conception: can help the roses?   Helichrysum is enhanced when mixed with eucalyptus oil. Mix three drops each of essential oil with two tablespoons of sweet almond oil and rub the mixture into the chest.

Arthritis. Immortelle has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Mix Helichrysum essential oil with other essential oils with sedative effects, such as oil or lavender, yarrow The healing properties of lavender - not only pleasant aroma .

Detoxification. Everlasting serves enterosorbent, cleansing the body from heavy metals and chemicals (lead, mercury, arsenic). In combination with rosemary oil everlasting removes fatty deposits in the liver and heart. Purification of toxins allows these organs to function normally.

Aromatherapy. Helichrysum essential oil can be used in therapy, since it has a calming effect, it helps to relax and relieve stress How to beat stress? Create an oasis .

Everlasting contraindicated if you are hypersensitive and high blood pressure. Everlasting toxic, so it should not take more than three months, otherwise there may be stagnation in the liver. Helichrysum also contraindicated in pregnant women, particularly when taken orally.

Many people refer to the skepticism of traditional medicine. Based on many years of experience it can be argued that natural remedies are highly effective in the treatment of a large number of diseases, including sinusitis. Treating sinusitis bay leaf can be recommended for practical use, because this method allows you to get rid of the symptoms in one week.

How to prepare a decoction of the necessary

To apply a bay leaf for medicinal purposes in the sinus Sinusitis - when a puncture is required It is necessary to prepare a decoction of the leaves. This can be successfully done at home, it does not require special skills or preparation. The leaves of bay leaf should be put on the bottom of the pot, add water enough to cover the leaves with water, and then leave the pan on the fire. Water must boil the pan off the heat and allow to cool slightly. As such, the broth can be used. You must broth to moisten the cloth made of cotton fabric and attach it to the nose, covering the top with a towel to heat preserved for a longer time.

If the broth had time to cool down during this time, it can be a little heated. In order to achieve the clinical effect is enough to change to three napkins.

It is proved that in one week of such procedures, patients get rid of even sinusitis that flows for a long time and has a chronic course. The symptoms of acute disease are reduced after the fifth procedure.

Casual spice and medicinal plant

For most people, bay leaf associated with the cooking with the cooking process, have been used as a spice in many dishes. But at the same time is a great therapeutic tool, which is used in medicine for more than a year. Even in ancient times it was discovered unique properties of this plant:

• Antimicrobial
• anti-inflammatory
• immunostimulatory properties

The mechanism of such effects in the use of bay leaf is due to its chemical composition. This is especially volatile, which have antiseptic properties. Bay leaf is considered a natural antibiotic Antibiotics - whether they will help you in the foreseeable future? , Therefore its use in infectious diseases is justified. Also, the structure includes a wide range of trace elements, fatty acids and organic acids, tannins and essential oils. Reduce the appearance of inflammatory reaction, swelling of tissues contained allow tannins.

If you take inside teas made from this plant, then there is a good immunostimulatory effect, which is so important in the case of chronic sinusitis flow. Patients can use broth as a good preventive agent for a year.

For local therapy can be recommended the use laurel oil. It is cooked at home, which you need to chop the bay leaves (30 g leaves) and pour them a glass of vegetable oil. The mixture must sit for one week, the oil should be stored in dark glass dish in the refrigerator. Cooked oil is suitable for inhalation, which are effective treatments in inflammatory processes in the area of ​​the paranasal sinuses.

Marina Solovyov