Helichrysum gymnocephalum explained

Helichrysum gymnocephalum is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae found in Madagascar.^[1] It is used locally for its alleged aphrodisiac, antiseptic, and stimulant properties, and also as a treatment for bronchitis. The essential oil is sold internationally for these same purposes.^[2] This oil mostly consists of 1,8-Cineole, the organic compound Eucalyptol, which may account for these properties.^[3]

In 1999, the non-profit organization Seacology helped to preserve this and other plants by creating a national park around Mt. Angavokely, near Antananarivo in Madagascar.

Notes and References

1. Peterson . K. . Seacology helps conserve medicinal plants in Madagascar . 2005 . HerbalGram . 65 . 20–21 . PDF . 3 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110929084557/http://www.seacology.org/news/media/HerbalGram65_Seacology.pdf . 29 September 2011 . dead .
2. Helichrysum gymnocephalum , Aromatics International.
3. Möllenbeck . S. . König . T. . Schreier . P. . Schwab . W. . Rajaonarivony . J. . Ranarivelo . L. . 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1026(199703)12:2<63::AID-FFJ614>3.0.CO;2-Z . Chemical Composition and Analyses of Enantiomers of Essential Oils from Madagascar . Flavour and Fragrance Journal . 12 . 2 . 63 . 1997 .