Helichrysum oil from the Balkan Peninsula

Abstract

Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G.Don (Asteraceae) is widespread in the Mediterranean area and represented by several subspecies. Among them Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G.Don subsp. italicum is the main source of commercial Helichrysum oil, used in aromatherapy and natural cosmetics due to antiaging properties.

In the recent time, a big cultivation area was established along the Adriatic coastal region, where the plant is native, and the continental area including Bosnia and Hercegovina, Serbia, Greece, and Bulgaria.

The chemical composition of Helichrysum oil can vary and depends on the subspecies and habitat. The main constituents are: monoterpenes (α- and β-pinenes, limonene), monoterpenes esters (neryl acetate), sesquiterpenes (italicene, α-humulene, β-caryophyllene, α-copaene, α-, β- and γ-curcumenes, α- and β-selinene) and diketones (italdiones).