Italian strawflower

The pleasant smell in the air when walking along the island’s paths owes much to Helichrysum (or Italian strawflower). This plant likes the sun (heliophilous), heat (thermophilous) and garrigue, a particularly rocky Mediterranean environment poor in organic matter, where plants suited to drought (xerophytes) grow. The root of the name Helichrysum is composed of the Greek words “helios” (sun) and “chrysos” (gold), referring to its yellow flower heads, which are as bright as gold and the sun. In fact, when the plant is in bloom, the upper part is filled with yellow flower heads. The inflorescences are arranged in clusters (corymbs) composed of numerous flower heads containing 15 small flowers. What we call flower is actually a community of many small flowers. Pliny, Dioscorides, Geber (Jābir ibn Ḥayyān) and others studied the qualities of Helichrysum, coming to consider it a panacea for various ailments. Scientific research has subsequently documented antinflammatory, antioxidant, antihepatotoxic, antiallergic, eudermic, antibacterial, expectorant activities. It is used to treat respiratory system diseases, skin diseases (psoriasis, eczema), arthritic diseases an allergic syndromes. It is also used in cosmetics and perfumery.