Corsican immortelle
The rich, varied and fragrant vegetation of the Isle of Beauty forms the Corsican maquis (a machja), home to flowers, plants and shrubs with surprising qualities. Immortelle is one of the stars of this maquis, the best-known of which is called a muredda, meaning sun, and we're going to tell you all about it: from its harvesting and history to its uses and benefits. Rare and precious, it is mainly used to make essential oils.
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Where can you find immortelle in Corsica?
It's easy to recognize: it forms small, yellow bushes of varying thickness. This silvery-stemmed plant likes rocky areas by the sea or inland, and flowers between May and August. Its scent is difficult to describe because it's so distinctive. If you spot any, rub the bush between your hands and inhale the muredda, and you'll never forget its scent. There's another very old variety of immortelle (paleo endemic) that you'll find only in the high mountains and Corsica: the immortelle frimas known as a Murzella. It looks like a daisy and spreads out in bouquets on the rocks.
Even once picked, Italian helichrysum never seems to fade. Picked and dried upside down, it keeps for years.
A flower story
It's found in many historical accounts: Homer sings of its unique fragrance and longevity, Apollo adorned his hair with it as a symbol of his immortality, and in ancient times, people wore immortelle flowers to achieve fame and popularity.
In Corsica, it has been used for generations in daily life to treat people and animals and purify the air. Napoleon promoted it, but it wasn't until the 20ᵉ S that its benefits were recognized for many ailments, including hematomas.
Picking in the fields
It is picked in June and July when in full bloom. Picking is a delicate operation: it's done by hand with a sickle and lasts only a few days. The flowers are then transported to the distillery, where they are placed in vats for immediate processing. To obtain 1 liter of essential oil, 700 kg to 1 ton are needed: its low yield and high demand make it a precious and therefore expensive liquid.
Plantations: passionate growers
Corsica is home to some fifty small producers, all passionate about their profession. Thanks to their perfect mastery of the various stages in the production of essential oil, they offer a product of the highest quality. This Ile de Beauté resource represents a turnover of 800 kg of essential oil per year.
What are the benefits of this plant?
- Anti-haematoma: immortelle essential oil is ten times more powerful than arnica.
- Venotonic plant: improves blood circulation, heavy legs, edema, varicose veins
- Treats rheumatism and arthritis
- Combats cholesterol
- Heals wounds
- Treats rosacea
- Relieves sprains
- Treats lumbago and sciatica
- Fights skin aging
How to use organic immortelle essential oil in cosmetics?
Thanks to its high concentration of neryl acetate, it has special properties that are particularly attractive to cosmetics manufacturers, who use it for its anti-aging, anti-wrinkle and anti-oxidant properties. It can be used in all types of beauty care: creams, balms, serums, oils, floral waters, hydrolats, perfumes and soaps.
Today, aromatherapy is enjoying great success, and the benefits of immortelle are widely recognized. It prevents and relieves certain disorders and contributes to well-being and soothing. Candles, diffusers and vaporizers will perfume your home with unforgettable, delicate scents.
In the kitchen: scents and virtues
In Corsica, some shepherds used to wash old cheeses in water boiled with immortelle. The skin of pigs was also grilled with bunches before cooking. Today, it's mainly used to flavor sauces and stews. If you suffer from urinary tract problems, immortelle can help, so don't hesitate to try the new beers and infusions made from this miraculous plant, which has a slightly spicy, curry-like taste.
Where to buy immortelle in Corsica?
Take the time to visit a producer, who will be happy to share his know-how with you. Some distilleries offer tours and sometimes massages among the aromatic plants, children's workshops for an olfactory tour, and well-being workshops for deep relaxation in the heart of nature. You'll sometimes find them on the market. Finally, our partner Helios di Corsica awaits you at the immortelle museum near Ghisonaccia for an interactive experience to awaken all your senses with this multi-faceted flower.
We are a historic Corsican tour operator that puts its experience at the service of local innovation: tailor-made travel off the beaten track. At your side, we create the trips that suit you, offering you the land we love, a terra chi amemu.
