Medicinal plants

Curry Herb – Application & Treatment for Health

Currykraut

The Italian helichrysum ( Helichrysum italicum ) is also known under the name curry herb . Other names include The Immortal , Sun Gold , Italian Immortelle , Italian Sun Gold and Curry Bush . The shrub-like plant belongs to the helichrysum genus . In total, this plant species lists 600 different genera.

Occurrence & Cultivation of the Italian Helichrysum

The curry herb lives up to its name because it is a shrub-like plant that impresses with its bright yellow color and a pleasant smell of curry. The Italian helichrysum is not only popular as an addition to herbs and spices , but is also used as a medicinal plant.

Due to its appearance, its umbel-like inflorescence and cup-shaped partial inflorescence, it belongs to the daisy family ( Asteraceae ) and to the order Aster-like. The basket shell is bell-shaped and golden yellow, the bracts are arranged in several rows in the form of roof tiles. It comes from the Mediterranean region and has not been known in Central Europe for very long. The name Italian helichrysum is somewhat misleading as the wild plant populations are native to Turkey, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and the southern countries of Europe.

So she doesn’t come exclusively from Italy. If it weren’t for the bright yellow color, the curry herb would be a rather inconspicuous plant. It is an evergreen subshrub that grows up to seventy centimeters tall and bushy. It has narrow roots and, as the popular name Sonnengold suggests, feels at home in sunny places. The leaves are silvery gray or silvery green, tapering in a lanceolate and needle-like shape. Visually, they are reminiscent of rosemary or lavender leaves .

The Italian helichrysum contains various essential oils that are responsible for the aromatic curry scent. Fresh rain intensifies the scent. The stalk (sprout axis) is initially unstable and becomes increasingly lignified the older the plant gets. The fruits contain brown and oval seeds. However, the sun-drenched Mediterranean plant does not make any great demands on its location. The soil must be low in humus and sandy and have good irrigation (drainage), although waterlogging is not desirable.

Effect & Application

Curry herb is less known in German cuisine, while it is a very popular spice in Mediterranean countries. The plant is not to be confused with the curry powder, which consists of coriander , cardamom , pepper , cumin , and nutmeg. The Italian helichrysum has received the popular name curry herb only because of its appearance, the yellow color and the typical curry smell. However, it is also known as a medicinal herb in the northern latitudes.

Already the Greek and Roman antiquity appreciated its healing properties. In the medieval herbal books it was listed as helichrysum, although its healing power was not well known at the time. Folk medicine used the gold of the sun for various gynecological problems, urinary problems and snake bites . The modern methods of naturopathy also appreciate the yellow semi-shrub plant due to its many ingredients.

They have an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antibacterial, expectorant, fungicidal, relaxing, decongestant and wound-healing effect. The curry herb is used for coughs , bronchitis , for cleaning wounds, for mild depression , nervous restlessness , skin problems such as impurities, itching and eczema , haemorrhoids and bruises .

The plant components of the Italian helichrysum are processed as an ointment and used against all kinds of skin problems. Flavonoids and essential oils are responsible for healing effects . The components of the curry herb are also used in cosmetic products such as moisturizing sprays. A tea prepared from the dried flowers and leaves of the plant is effective against cold symptoms . Two teaspoons of curry herb are used in 250 milliliters of water.

Pharmacies also offer the Italian helichrysum as a ready-to-use herbal mixture. Plant-based essential oil is very popular. It is marketed under the name Bio-Helichrysum. Known as immortelle oil, the product is used in aromatherapy and is sometimes referred to as arnica for its anti-inflammatory properties . The oil is effective against skin inflammation and bruising and has haemolytic properties that have a strong cell-renewing and skin- and tissue-regenerating effect.

The sesquiterpene ketones contained in the oil are responsible for this. Immortelle oil can safely be applied to the skin in its pure form, which distinguishes it from most of its “colleagues”, since these oils should not normally come into contact with the human organism unprocessed

Importance for health, treatment & prevention

The curry herb is safe to use and therefore non-toxic. For this reason, the sun gold is very popular both as a spice plant and in naturopathy. Homeopathy also appreciates the versatile plant due to its highly effective ingredients tannin, glycosides, flavonoids, essential oils and naringenins. Helichrysum italicum is a plant with many positive properties that can be used even by people without special knowledge of herbs.

The simplest form of application, however, are homeopathic remedies in the form of globules, tablets or ointment. Ointments based on immortelle are excellent against hemorrhoids and quickly fade scars. The essential oil has also proven to be an effective remedy for frostbite in winter and sunburn in summer. Italian Helichrysum is processed in organic distilleries in the Piedmont area of ​​Italy to produce the essential oil and then sold.For aromatherapy, the oil of the curry plant is an important natural remedy that has a positive effect on overall well-being, but also on chronic complaints such as coughs and bronchitis .

Lisa Newlon
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Hello! I am Lisa Newlon, and I am a medical writer and researcher with over 10 years of experience in the healthcare industry. I have a Master’s degree in Medicine, and my deep understanding of medical terminology, practices, and procedures has made me a trusted source of information in the medical world.