Some call helichrysum “liquid gold.” On our 2026 Diamond Retreat – a cruise through the Mediterranean – we visited Croatia, home to the helichrysum farm D. Gary Young started in 2015 (yes, I was there that year too!).
After the distillery tour, Young Living surprised us by placing two bottles of this precious oil in our suite while we were at dinner. Such an incredible gift… and such a meaningful one, knowing first-hand what it takes to produce it!
Here are a few things I learned (from this trip and past visits to Croatia):
About Helichrysum
- It takes 1,000 kg of plant material to produce just 1 liter of oil (about 1 kg = 1 ml).
- Plants spend 3–4 months in a nursery before being transplanted.
- The first 6–7 months are focused on root growth—deep, strong foundations.
After transplanting, about 20% loss is normal, but Young Living’s own plantings are now thriving at nearly 100%.
Growing Conditions
- Helichrysum thrives in limestone-rich soil.
- Gary Young even invested in equipment to cut limestone and spread it across the fields.
- The stone traps heat during the day and releases it at night, creating the perfect environment.
- Once planted, it’s watered once… and left alone to grow naturally—just like in the wild.
Harvesting
- Plants are cut about 4 inches above the ground (never pulled up from the root).
- They can regrow in as little as 7 days.
- Harvesting happens mainly in June (about 3 weeks) and again briefly in September.
Distillation Matters
- Each distillation takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes, using around 3,000 kg of plant material per batch.
- The first half of the process extracts 80% of the oil, but the final 20% contains the heavier, valuable compounds.
- Many companies skip that second half because it doubles the cost—but Young Living doesn’t.
- They use boilers (not steam generators) since distillation only happens twice a year.
Quality & Bottling
- The distillery was built in just 19 days (paid in cash in 2015).
- Bottling facilities can produce up to 300,000 bottles per month.
- Rooms are carefully controlled for temperature and air pressure to protect oil quality.
- Every batch is tested and approved at headquarters before release.
A Powerful Story of Stewardship
In 2015, Helichrysum was actually on the endangered plant list. Before Young Living, it was wild-harvested—and workers were paid by weight, so plants were often pulled out by the roots, destroying future growth.
When Young Living entered Croatia, they:
- Educated workers to cut, not pull
- Created a system where plants could regrow and be harvested again
- Helped protect both the plant and the livelihood of local farmers
By 2023, Helichrysum was removed from the endangered list!
If you’ve ever wondered why Helichrysum is so valuable… it’s not hype. It’s time, stewardship, sacrifice, and a commitment to doing things the right way—even when it costs more. And that’s something none of us should ever forget.
Benefits of Helichrysum
If Gary were standing in that Croatian field, holding a bottle of Helichrysum, he wouldn’t start with lab terms or marketing claims. He’d say something more like this:
“Helichrysum… this is one of the most powerful oils we have.”
He often called it the “Everlasting oil”—not just because of the flower, but because of what it represents.
He’d talk about how:
- It supports the body’s natural ability to recover and restore
- It’s known for its role in skin renewal and repair
- It’s been traditionally used to support circulation and overall vitality
- And how it works deeply—not just on the surface, but where the body is trying to rebuild
But Gary didn’t separate the oil from the process. He would remind us:
“This oil costs what it costs because of what it takes to get it.” He’d point back to the fields:
- The rocky limestone soil
- The intense sun and cool nights
- The careful harvesting—never pulling the root
- And the long distillation that most companies won’t finish
And then he’d say something like:
“When you use this oil, you’re not just using a product… you’re using the life of that plant, the soil it grew in, and the care that went into protecting it.”
Just like Gary, Helichrysum carried a strength and resilience—it is a plant that survives harsh conditions, grows back quickly, and gives everything it has in the distillation!
And that’s why, to Gary, it wasn’t just another oil. It was one of the most valuable tools we have to support the body—used with respect, intention, and consistency.
If you’ve ever used Helichrysum, you probably understand… it’s one of those oils people don’t fully appreciate until they experience it.
