cypress cones growing on a tree, cypress needles

Use for Wound Healing, Detoxing, Antibacterial, Skin Care, Respiratory Support, Anxiety Relief

Botanical image
  1. BOTANICAL NAME Cupressus sempervirens
  2.  
  3. PARTS USED Needles and twigs
  4. EXTRACTION METHOD Steam distilled
  5. COLOR Colorless to very pale yellow
  6. NOTE CLASSIFICATION Middle
  7. AROMA Fresh evergreen aroma with balsamic undertones
  1. Wound Healing Cypress essential oil has the ability to constrict blood vessels and clot blood quickly leading to faster wound and injury healing. In addition, it’s antimicrobial qualities make it an excellent choice for cuts and scrapes.
  2. Detoxing Cypress is high in antioxidants that help stave off the damage done by free radicals which cause oxidative stress. Studies have shown that cypress essential oil is beneficial for liver health and aids in toxin removal.
  3. Antibacterial This powerful essential oil is known to have significant antimicrobial effects on a variety of bacteria, including E. coli. Cypress has the ability to effectively cleanse biofilm, microorganisms that are stuck to surfaces.
  4. Skin Care It’s antimicrobial abilities make cypress essential oil the perfect oil to use with acneic skin, clogged pores, oily conditions, raches, and rosacea.
  5. Respiratory Support Cypress has been traditionally used to help treat colds, coughs, asthma and bronchitis. Cypress oil contains camphene, a molecule which is often found in herbal cough suppressants, however more research is needed on the direct correlation between cypress and respiratory support.
  6. Anxiety Relief Cypress essential oil is known to reduce stress and anxiety as well as combat fatigue making it a great natural alternative for anti-anxiety treatment.

The History of Cypress

Cypress essential oil, also known as Cupressus sempervirens, comes from an ornamental tree and is a member of the Cupressaceae family. It’s known to come from many regions including northern America, Africa, southeastern Europe and western Asia. For centuries, cypress essential oil has been thought of as a medicinal plant and commonly used in folk remedies mainly for cough and flu treatment. Cypress has also been used for thousands of years as a cleansing incense for several Nepalese and Tibetan cultures. The Phoenicians and Cretans used cypress wood for building ships and houses, while the Egyptians made sarcophagi from it and the Greeks used it to carve statues of their gods. Research over the years has consistently shown that cypress has antimicrobial, antiviral, insecticidal and antioxidant abilities making it a great essential oil for overall wellness.

History image
PRECAUTIONS Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes. If pregnant or lactating, consult your healthcare practitioner before using. If applying an essential oil to your skin always perform a small patch test before using.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

SCHOLARLY ARTICLES
  1. Ibrahim, Nabaweya Ali et al. "Phytochemical investigation and hepatoprotective activity of Cupressus sempervirens L. leaves growing in Egypt."  Natural product research  vol. 21,10 (2007): 857-66. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786410601132477
  2. Kuriyama, Hiroko et al. "Immunological and Psychological Benefits of Aromatherapy Massage."  Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM  vol. 2,2 (2005): 179-184. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/neh087
  3. Nouri, Aicha Ben et al. "Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Potential, and Antibacterial Activity of Essential Oil Cones of Tunisian Cupressus sempervirens."  Journal of Chemistry  (2015): 538929. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/538929
  4. Orchard, Ané, and Sandy van Vuuren. "Commercial Essential Oils as Potential Antimicrobials to Treat Skin Diseases."  Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM  vol. 2017 (2017): 4517971. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/4517971
  5. Orhan, Ilkay Erdogan, and Ibrahim Tumen. "Potential of Cupressus sempervirens (Mediterranean Cypress) in Health."  The Mediterranean Diet  (2015): 639–647. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-407849-9.00057-9
  6. Shaheen, Asma et al. "Chapter 15 - Cypress."  Medicinal Plants of South Asia  (2020): 191-205. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-102659-5.00015-X