French cypress ethereal oil

Botanical name: Cupressus Sempervirens

Origin: France

Extraction: Steam distilled

Plant part : Leaves

Scent: Fresh, green and coniferous aroma with a sweet-balsamic undertone.

Aromatherapy: Asthma, bronchitis, spasmodic coughing, nervous tension and stress related conditions.

Skin/bodycare: Haemorrhoids, oily and overhydrated skin, excessive perspiration, insect repellent, helps with varicose veins, useful aid to muscular cramps and poor circulation, menopausal and menstruation (dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia) problems.

Blends well with: Bay laurel, cedarwood, frankincense, geranium, bergamot, sweet orange, lemon and sandalwood.

Precautions: Non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing.

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.

Herbal Folk Tradition
It was highly valued as a medicine and as an incense by ancient civilisations and it is still used as a purification incense by the Tibetians.

From early times, cypress trees were associated with the transition of the soul crossing over from

this life to the afterlife. Ancient cultures burned cypress branches at funerals, and the Egyptians made coffins from the wood. Cypress trees were planted around burial sites.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the nuts are considered very nutritious as it is beneficial for the liver and the respiratory system.