A Review and Evaluation of the Data Supporting Internal Use of Helichrysum italicum

Abstract

Helichrysum italicum is a Mediterranean plant with various pharmacological activities. Despite extensive reports on the bioactivity of the plant, its clinically studied applications have not yet been reviewed. The aim of our study was to gather information on the internal use of H. italicum and its bioactive constituents to determine its efficacy and safety for human use. We reviewed research articles that have not been previously presented in this context and analyzed relevant clinical studies with H. italicum. Cochranelibrary.com revealed six eligible clinical trials with H. italicum that examined indications for pain management, cough, and mental exhaustion. Although the efficacy of H. italicum has been demonstrated both in in vitro tests and in humans, it is difficult to attribute results from clinical trials to H. italicum alone, as it has usually not been tested as the sole component. On the other hand, clinical trials provide positive information on the safety profile since no adverse effects have been reported. We conclude that H. italicum is safe to use internally, while new clinical studies with H. italicum as a single component are needed to prove its efficacy. Based on the recent trend in H. italicum research, further studies are to be expected.

Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don and Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench infusions in reversing the traits of metabolic syndrome: a double-blind randomized comparative trial

“…24 In a review of clinical trials, we found only six studies on the internal use of HI. 25 Even though it can be confirmed from those studies that the use of HI is safe, since no negative side effects were reported, not much can be concluded about the efficacy, as in most studies HI was used in combination with other herbs.…”

Essential Oil and Hydrosol Composition of Immortelle (Helichrysumitalicum)

“…Its essential oil, hydrosol, as well as dried flowers and leaves, are also used in the preparation of beverages and in cooking [ 8 ]. Kramberger et al [ 9 ], evaluated the immortelle from the point of view of effectiveness and safety for internal use by reviewing the literature. They concluded that consumption of immortelle does not pose a health risk [ 9 ].…”

Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don. from Central Europe

“…Here, rosmarinic acid is an ester of caffeic and 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid, while chlorogenic, neochlorogenic, isochlorogenic b and cichoric acids are esters of caffeic and quinic acid, thus belong to caffeoylquinic acid isomers, as following: 3-caffeoylquinic; 5-O-caffeoylquinic; 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic and 2,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid. The domination of caffeic acids esters (so-called quinic acid esters) in H. italicum raw materials was demonstrated earlier by other authors [17,20,[48][49][50].…”

“…The range of this diversity has already been summarized in review articles by Maksimovic et al [17], Ninčević et al [7] and Aćimović et al [10]. Among phenolic compounds, a lot of chemical subgroups have been identified in H. italicum, namely: flavonoids, acetophenones, phloroglucinols, tremetones, coumarins, phenolic acids, and their derivatives [17][18][19][20][21]. In relation to the presence of these secondary metabolites (both volatile and non-volatile), H. italicum extracts reveal a wide range of biological activities.…”