Helichrysum arenarium: From Cultivation to Application

Abstract

Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench, belonging to the Asteraceae family, is known in traditional medicine for its diuretic, choleretic, and anti-inflammatory properties. This review focuses on the superiority of Helichrysum arenarium (sandy everlasting) over other known plants as a source of active pharmacological compounds used in complementary medicine to prevent digestive and hepatobiliary illnesses. Because the species exists both in spontaneous flora and in crops, this article highlights the development of a controlled culture of H. arenarium, following the reproducible quality of the plant as a biological material. The diversity of phytocompounds, especially well-characterized flavonoid extracts, and the differences between extraction procedures are discussed. Antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal activities against human pathogens proved by different plant extracts and their mechanisms of action are analyzed. This study aims to contribute to the insufficient knowledge regarding the effects of Helichrysum species and to reveal that their extracts can be a valuable source for new active pharmaceutical ingredients.

The effect on the organism of rats of adding Helichrysum arenarium inflorescences to a hypercaloric diet, high in sugar and fat

“…Some herbs have already been shown to be effective against the manifestations of the metabolic syndrome in the treatment of dyslipidemia (Adel Mehraban et al, 2021) and insulin resistance (Tran et al, 2020). Helichrysum arenarium is known in folk medicine for its diuretic, choleretic and anti-inflammatory properties (Dănăilă-Guidea et al, 2022). Conducted by Kenig et al (2022), a randomized, blind, comparative study of the use of H. italicum and H. arenarium infusions in patients with signs of metabolic syndrome showed significant efficacy of these plants.…”

Genetic diversity assessment of Helichrysum arenarium (Asteraceae) for the genetic restoration of declining populations

“…The fruit is a small achene of 0.7–1.2 mm long, with a hairy pappus allowing for anemochory (Klotz et al., 2002; Pljevljakušić et al., 2018; Figure 2). The species, especially its flower heads, has recognized medicinal properties (e.g., antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti‐inflammatory) and also contains chemical compounds useful for cosmetic and food industry applications (Dănăilă‐Guidea et al., 2022; Kramberger et al., 2021; Pljevljakušić et al., 2018). Flower stalks have also been popular for ornamental dry‐bouquet arrangements and as moth repellent (Dănăilă‐Guidea et al., 2022; Parent, 1986).…”

“…Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench, an Everlasting species (Asteraceae), typically occurs in pioneer vegetation stage of dry sand grasslands, and is widely spread from eastern Europe to Asia, reaching its western margin in southern Belgium, Luxembourg, and eastern France (Pljevljakušić et al., 2018). In many countries, H. arenarium is protected because it is declining and endangered not only as a result of destruction and fragmentation of its habitats but also due to inflorescence picking for pharmaceutical and ornamental (dry‐flower decorations) use (Dănăilă‐Guidea et al., 2022; Godefroid et al., 2016; Parent, 1986). In Belgium, H. arenarium was formerly widely distributed in the Lorraine phytogeographic district (southern Belgium) but has strongly declined due to habitat destruction resulting from exploitation of sand quarries (however also temporarily providing secondary habitats), urbanization, and conifer plantations, and due to spontaneous recolonization by competing vegetation, shrubs, and forest (Parent, 1986).…”