Cypress Essential Oil

Latin name: Cupressus Sempervirens

Plant part used: needles and twigs

Source: Spain

Extraction method: steam distillation

Cypress essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from Italian or Mediterranean cypress. The oil is taken from the needles and twigs of the young branches of these trees that became famous through Van Gogh's paintings. It is said that cypress essential oil calms strong emotions such as anger and, therefore, is useful to have during major life changes.

This essential oil works as a vasoconstrictor, helping with varicose veins and hemorrhoids. It is supposed to work well to relieve all fluid excess conditions, such as heavy menstruation, excessive sweating, cough, bronchitis, bleeding, and fluid retention. This oil relieves muscle cramps, helps regulate the menstrual cycle, and relieves arthritis and rheumatic pain. Use this oil in a vaporizer to calm the mind, as well as for any respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough. It can be used diluted in a cold compress to stop nosebleeds.

Cypress is considered a mourning tree according to Greek mythology and, for this reason, is often grown in cemeteries. It is also associated with the god of the underworld, Hades. The Phoenicians and Cretans used the wood of this tree to build ships and houses. The Egyptians made sarcophagi and the Greeks carved statues of their gods with it. Legend says that the cross of Jesus Christ was made of this wood, another reason why cypress is connected to death. Ironically, the botanical name of cypress is derived from the Greek 'Sempervirens', which means 'live forever'.