Cypress Essential Oil Profile

Cypress is the common name given to several genera of evergreen, aromatic trees and shrubs that belong to the coniferous family of Cupressaceae. Only the species of the genus Cupressus are considered to be true cypress, and it is not uncommon to find ‘cypress’ essential oil derived from species other than Cupressus sempervirens being sold by less experienced oil suppliers.

As is always the case, this highlights the vital importance for the botanical names of essential oils to be provided on product labels so that you can check it before you purchase. Otherwise you will have absolutely no idea what type of ‘cypress’ oil you are using on either yourself or your clients.

Other true cypress species include; Portuguese cypress (Cupressus lusitanica), the Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) which is native only to a coastal strip below Monterey Bay in California, and the Arizona cypress (Cupressus arizonica) which grows in the mountains of the south-western United States and northern Mexico. This species is popularly used as Christmas trees throughout the southern United States.

General description

Cupressus sempervirens is a tall, columnar, pyramidical tree with slender branches covered with small shiny green leaves. This statuesque and stately tree reaches a height of between 12 to 20 metres (39-65 ft) and bears small flowers and cones.

The cones are between 2.5 and 4 centimetres (1-1½ inches) in diameter and generally occur in pairs, opening around September. After shedding the seeds, the cone persists on the tree for several years. The timber is hard, close-grained with a fine reddish hue and is very durable.

Also known as the Italian cypress, funeral cypress and Mediterranean cypress, Cupressus sempervirens is believed to originate from the eastern Mediterranean. It is now cultivated for the production of essential oil in Algeria, France, Italy, Spain and Morocco.

Historical background

The Egyptians used cypress in both medicine and incense, and the Greeks used the timber to make statues of their gods due to its resilience. In addition to Greek mythological references, cypress had already been associated with death through the Egyptian use of the wood to make the sarcophagi for mummies.

Again it seems this wood was chosen because of its resistance to rot, and for the ancient Greeks and Romans this symbolic longevity was carried on through the use of the word ‘sempervirens’, which means ‘ever-living’. Funereal use of ‘the Tree of Death’ continued in southern Europe both for making coffins, as alluded to by Shakespeare in Twelfth Night, and for making funeral garlands or for strewing sprigs and branches on the funeral biers used to display or carry coffins.

Traditional uses

Cypress leaves were used by the ancient Assyrians for treating haemorrhoids, and the Greek physician Galen (AD 165) wrote of its use for diarrhoea, internal bleeding and menstrual disorders.

Many years later, Culpepper came to the same conclusion as the Assyrians and wrote of the cones, ‘They are accounted very drying and binding, good to stop fluxes of all kinds, as sitting of blood, diarrhoea, dysentery, the immoderate flux of the menses.’ Chinese medicine considers the seed cones to be beneficial for the liver and respiratory system.

Harvesting and Extraction

In France, the trees are pruned between mid October and April and the terminal branches and leaves are sold to the distilleries. Extraction is by steam distillation of the leaves and stems, producing a colourless to pale yellow essential oil.

The fragrance is fresh, green and coniferous, with a sweet and balsamic undertone. Cypress is used widely in the soap and perfumery industries, particularly in chypre type fragrances. It is also used to add a ‘masculine’ note in men’s colognes and aftershaves.

Aromatherapy uses

Cypress is an effective vasoconstrictor, which means it helps to narrow dilated blood vessels such as varicose veins or broken capillaries that appear on the face. Blend it with lemon or bitter orange together with frankincense in a base cream or lotion for this type of application. It also helps to balance oily skin when used in this way, and its antiseptic action.

Cypress essential oil has a diuretic and detoxifying action, therefore when blended and used in massage with other diuretic oils such as juniper berry, sweet fennel and grapefruit, it is valuable for oedema (fluid retention) and cellulite. Use it in massage to ease the pain associated with muscular cramps and spasms, periods, arthritis and rheumatism.

Asthma and spasmodic coughs respond well to cypress oil when vaporised, because it acts as a sedative to the respiratory nerve endings and is a decongestant. Likewise, it can help clear blocked sinuses and stuffy noses when you are suffering from a cold with the added bonus that it is an effective antibacterial.

On the emotional system, cypress is strengthening and fortifying which helps to facilitate changes in life and bring about transformation, especially to those who are rooted in the past. This makes it an excellent oil to use during the menopause as well as the monthly cycle, where it can be helpful with dysmenorrhoea. As you might expect from its historic associations, cypress is an oil that assists with the grieving process after bereavement, being both strengthening and relaxing to the mind.

Cypress is a base note that adds a unique woody characteristic to blends, especially when used together with other wood oils such as benzoin, cedar, frankincense, pine and sandalwood. It blends well with bergamot, clary sage, juniper berry, lavender, lemon, mandarin, marjoram sweet, orange bitter and sweet.

Learn more about Quinessence Cypress Essential Oil

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