The species name sempervirens comes from the Latin for 'evergreen'. Cypress oil is native to the eastern Mediterrenean; now grows wild in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and North Africa. The oil is distilled from the leaves and cones of this tree. A tall evergreen tree with slender branches and a statuesque conical shape. It bears small flowers and round, brownish-grey cones or nuts. The tree grows to a height of about 24-48 meters. Some cypress trees are believed to be older than 3000 years.

There are many other species of cypress found throughout the world which are used to produce an essential oil. Cupressus Sempervirens is considered superior regarding to oil quality.

Early physicians recommended that patients with lung ailments go to the island of Crete, which had dense forests of cypress trees. A few drops of Cypress essential oil on the pillow at night will ease breathing and stop coughing, and can be helpful in preventing bedwetting. 

Cypress essential oil helps in normalizing the female sex hormones and can be helpful during menopause. It is considered useful where there is excessive loss of fluid, such as heavy perspiration or menstural loss and diarrhoea. 

Cypress essential oil is safe for home use. Aromatherapy with this oil helps to reduce stress and nervous tension as it has a very refreshing and uplifting quality to it.