Imphepho - Helichrysum odoratissimum
Imphepho - Helichrysum odoratissimum

Common names: imphepho, liquorice plant, everlasting (English); mphepho (Xhosa); mphepho (Zulu); phefo, towane (Sotho); kooigoed (Afrikaans). 
Botanical name: Helichrysum odoratissimum

Helichrysum odoratissimum, known as mphepho in South Africa, has slender silvery leaves and cheerful yellow flower clusters. Valued for its fragrant oil, it has been used traditionally for ritual purposes, and as a remedy for coughs, colds, and as an insect repellent. It can reach 1.75 meters tall, this herb looks lovely planted en masse as a low groundcover. With proper drainage and sun, it thrives in gardens and containers. Replace plants every few years for optimal health.

Uses & Benefits: aromatic, bedding, cosmetics, flower arranging, incense, insect repellent, medicine, pot plant, potpourri, smoke, tea

All Plant Profiles

Nature & Cultivation

Family: Asteraceae
Type: ground cover, scrambler
Vegetation type:  
Flower colour: yellow
Flowering season: Summer
Plant-animal interactions: bees, butterflies
Red list status: Least Concern

Light-level: afternoon sun, full sun, morning sun, semi-shade
Soil type: well-composted, well-drained
Soil pH: Neutral
Propagation: cuttings, seed

Use as Medicine

Safety: no safety concerns

Herbal traditions: Cape Herbal Medicine, Khoi & San
Plant parts used: above ground parts, flowers, leaves, stems

First-aid use: acne, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, backache, boils, burns, colds & 'flu, cough, fever, headache, hyperactive, indigestion, insomnia, menstrual cramps, scars, strains & sprains, stress, wounds 
Medical use:  
Veterinary use:  

Plant qualities: aromatic, calming, cleansing, cooling, relaxing
Plant actions: analgesic / anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiplasmoidial, antiviral, anxiolytic / nervine-relaxant, febrifuge / anti-pyretic, insect repellent, magical, protection, ritual, sedative, spasmolytic / anti-spasmodic, testicular protectant, vulnerary
Phytochemical constituents: caryophyllene, cineole, curcumene, flavonoids, humulene, limonene, menthone, pinene, pulegone

Plant preparations: ash, balm, bath, compress, decoction, essential oil, fresh, fumigant, infusion - aqueous, infusion - milk, infusion - vegetable oil, nasal rinse, ointment, pillow, poultice, smoke, smudge, wash

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