''Helichrysum stoechas'', known as Mediterranean strawflower, curry plant, common shrubby everlasting, everlasting flower, or eternal flower, is an
annual or
perennial shrub (depending on locale) that prefers dry, rocky and sandy areas. It can grow up to 120 centimeters (47 inches) in height, and spreads over 1 square meter (3 feet 3 inches) in area. It is a
hermaphrodite
In reproductive biology, a hermaphrodite () is an organism that has both kinds of reproductive organs and can produce both gametes associated with male and female sexes.
Many Taxonomy (biology), taxonomic groups of animals (mostly invertebrate ...
that has grayish green leaves and produces small globular yellow flowers sometimes in the Spring or in July and August that are pollinated by insects.
Uses
Extracts of ''Helichrysum stoechas'' have been used in traditional medicine to treat colds, as a nerve tonic, to reduce inflammation, and facilitate the healing of bruises. There have been a number of studies of the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of the constituents of its flowers, stems and foliage which have confirmed that it has an inhibitory effect on some bacteria and viruses.
Due to the intense fragrance of its leaves and flowers, ''Helichrysum stoechas'' is used in perfumery and aromatherapy as a fixative in both its
essential oil
An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile (easily evaporated at normal temperatures) chemical compounds from plants. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils, aetheroleum, or simply as the o ...
and floral
absolute Absolute may refer to:
Companies
* Absolute Entertainment, a video game publisher
* Absolute Radio, (formerly Virgin Radio), independent national radio station in the UK
* Absolute Software Corporation, specializes in security and data risk manage ...
form. Like other
Helichrysums, it has a ''warm, sweet, caramellic hay, fruity, honey, tobacco, tonka'' organoleptic profile.
The essential oil (
CAS Registry Number
A CAS Registry Number (also referred to as CAS RN or informally CAS Number) is a unique identification number assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS), US to every chemical substance described in the open scientific literature. It inclu ...
91845-22-6) is typically produced in Southern Europe around the
Mediterranean, and the floral absolutes are produced in
Egypt. The predominant active constituents are nerol acetate,
curcumin,
pinene,
limonene,
kaempherol,
quercetin,
luteolin,
linalool, and
geraniol, in addition to other
flavonoid
Flavonoids (or bioflavonoids; from the Latin word ''flavus'', meaning yellow, their color in nature) are a class of polyphenolic secondary metabolites found in plants, and thus commonly consumed in the diets of humans.
Chemically, flavonoids ...
s,
sesquiterpenes and
hydrocarbons.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q1636806
Perennial plants
Flora of Southeastern Europe
Herbs
stoechas
''Lavandula'' (common name lavender) is a genus of 47 known species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is native to the Old World and is found in Cape Verde and the Canary Islands, and from Europe across to northern and easte ...
Flora of North Africa