Sandy Everlasting

OTHER NAME(S): Common Shrubby Everlasting, Eternal Flower, Everlasting, Fleur de Pied de Chat, Goldilocks, Harnblumen, Hélichryse, Hélichryse d'Orient, Hélichryse Rouge, Helichrysum, Helicriso, Immortelle, Immortelle d'Italie, Katzenpfotchenbluten, Perpetuas das areias, Perpetuas de Italia, Sardinian Dwarf Curry Plant, Siempreviva Amarilla, Yellow Chaste Weed, Helichrysum italicum, Helichrysum angustifolium, Gnaphalium glutinosum, Gnaphalium angustifolium, Gnaphalium italicum, Helichrysum orientale, Gnaphalium orientale, Helichrysum stoechas, Gnaphalium stoechas, Arenoso Eterno, Hélichryse italienne

Overview

Sandy everlasting (Helichrysum italicum) is a shrub found in sandy, dry, and stony areas around the Mediterranean region. It has a strong smell like curry.

Sandy everlasting contains chemicals that might help fight bacteria, reduce swelling, act as antioxidants, and reduce blood sugar levels.

People use sandy everlasting for cough, scars, wound healing, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse sandy everlasting with immortelle. These are not the same.

References
  1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. Wichtl MW. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Ed. N.M. Bisset. Stuttgart: Medpharm GmbH Scientific Publishers, 1994.
  3. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  4. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  5. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
  6. Sala A, Recio M, Giner RM, et al. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Helichrysum italicum. J Pharm Pharmacol 2002;54:365-71.
  7. Sala A, Recio M, Schinella GR, et al. A new dual inhibitor of arachidonate metabolism isolated from Helichrysum italicum. Eur J Pharmacol 2003;460:219-26.
  8. Nostro A, Cannatelli MA, Musolino AD, et al. Helichrysum italicum extract interferes with the production of enterotoxins by Staphylococcus aureus. Lett Appl Microbiol 2002;35:181-4.
  9. Angioni A, Barra A, Arlorio, et al. Chemical composition, plant genetic differences, and antifungal activity of the essential oil of Helichrysum italicum G. Don ssp. microphyllum (Willd) Nym. J Agric Food Chem 2003;51:1030-4.
  10. Foti C, Guida S, Antelmi A, Romita P, Corazza M. Allergic contact dermatitis caused by Helichrysum italicum contained in an emollient cream. Contact Dermatitis. 2013;69(1):62-3.
  11. Antunes Viegas D, Palmeira-de-Oliveira A, Salgueiro L, Martinez-de-Oliveira J, Palmeira-de-Oliveira R. Helichrysum italicum: from traditional use to scientific data. J Ethnopharmacol. 2014;151(1):54-65.
  12. de la Garza AL, Etxeberria U, Lostao MP, et al. Helichrysum and grapefruit extracts inhibit carbohydrate digestion and absorption, improving postprandial glucose levels and hyperinsulinemia in rats. J Agric Food Chem. 2013;61(49):12012-9.
  13. Carnevali I, La Paglia R, Pauletto L, et al. Efficacy and safety of the syrup "KalobaTUSS®" as a treatment for cough in children: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. BMC Pediatr 2021;21(1):29.
  14. Kenig S, Kramberger K, Šik Novak K, et al. Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don and Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench infusions in reversing the traits of metabolic syndrome: a double-blind randomized comparative trial. Food Funct. 2022;13(14):7697-7706.
  15. Kenig S, Kramberger K, Petelin A, et al. Helichrysum italicum ssp. italicum infusion promotes fat oxidation in hepatocytes and stimulates energy expenditure and fat oxidation after acute ingestion in humans: a pilot study. Plants (Basel). 2021;10(8):1516.
  16. Andjic M, Božin B, Draginic N, et al. Formulation and evaluation of Helichrysum italicum essential oil-based topical formulations for wound healing in diabetic rats. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2021;14(8):813.
  17. Andjic M, Draginic N, Kocovic A, et al. Immortelle essential oil-based ointment improves wound healing in a diabetic rat model. Biomed Pharmacother. 2022;150:112941.