Useful Informations
Corsican Immortelle (Helichrysum Italicum):
- Origin: On the enchanting Island of Corsica, this magical little plant grows wild. In Latin, it’s called Helichrysum Italicum, while in French, it’s known as Immortelle (or rarely, smilje).
- Skin Champion: The essential oil extracted from Corsican Immortelle is a true skin champion. It’s used in various ways to treat and repair skin issues such as wrinkles, stretch marks, scars, vitiligo, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, acne, sunburn, and even candida albicans.
- Historical Connection: During World War II, my father, a member of the French Corsican resistance, used the plant (then known as “la murza”) to protect his feet against blisters while fighting the occupation. Inspired by its properties, he began producing Immortelle oil after the war.
- Continued Legacy: Our family has been producing Immortelle oil in Corsica since 1952. Today, my wife Julie Dawn (a British citizen) and I (François, her Corsican husband) continue this tradition, expanding the trade started by Stamatin in 1952.
Culinary Use:
- The silver-grey leaves of Helichrysum italicum ‘Corsica’ are highly aromatic, reminiscent of curry. While they don’t taste as good as they smell, they can be used sparingly in culinary applications.
Therapeutic Value:
- The Corsican variety of Helichrysum Italicum is renowned for its therapeutic benefits in healing and regenerating the skin. It contains a higher concentration of Neryl Acetate and Italidones compared to the French variety.
Whether in skincare or culinary delights, Corsican Immortelle continues to weave its magic on the island of Corsica. The essential oil extraction process for Helichrysum italicum, also known as Corsican Immortelle, is a fascinating journey that yields a precious elixir.
Let’s explore the steps involved:
A-
Harvesting: The process begins with carefully selecting mature wild Helichrysum flowers. These golden blossoms, with their everlasting quality, are rich in aromatic compounds. Harvesting typically occurs during the flowering season, which varies depending on the region and climate.
B- Steam Distillation:
o Traditional Method: The most common technique for extracting essential oils is steam distillation.
- Equipment: The harvested flowers are placed in a specialized distillation apparatus. Water is heated to produce steam.
- Steam Interaction: The steam passes through the plant material, rupturing the oil glands within the flowers.
- Vapor Collection: The vapor containing essential oil rises and is collected in a condenser.
- Separation: The condensed mixture separates into water and essential oil. The oil, being less dense, floats on top of the water.
- Collection: The precious Helichrysum essential oil is carefully collected.
C- Quality Matters:
- Slow Process: Steam distillation is a slow process, allowing for the preservation of delicate aromatic compounds.
- Low Yield: Helichrysum flowers yield a relatively small amount of oil, making it valuable and sought after.
D- Chemical Composition:
- Neryl Acetate: This compound contributes to the oil’s skin-regenerating properties.
- Italidiones: These molecules provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
E- Corsican Immortelle’s Unique Profile:
The Corsican variety of Helichrysum Italicum contains higher levels of these beneficial compounds compared to other varieties.
F- Post-Processing:
The collected oil undergoes filtration to remove any remaining plant material.It is then stored in dark glass bottles to protect it from light and oxidation.
G- Aromatherapy and Skincare:
Corsican Immortelle essential oil is prized in aromatherapy for its calming, grounding effects.In skincare, it’s used to address various skin concerns, including scars, wrinkles, and inflammation.
Remember, each drop of Corsican Immortelle oil carries the essence of sun-kissed Corsican hills and the wisdom of generations who have cherished its healing properties.