Cypress – Essential Oil
Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
The cypress tree was dedicated to the gods of death and the underworld by the Romans.
Uses include:
Oedema
Bleeding gums
Menstruation problems
Oily skin
Asthma
Piles / haemorrhoids
Varicose veins
Sweaty feet
Deodoriser / Insect repellent
Cautions
Do not use on babies and infants under the age of 5 years old.
Oedema
Cypress oil works on excess fluid.
Directions for use
Compress: Add 1 to 2 drops of pure essential oil to 1 litre of warm water. Lay sterile material on the surface of the water thus attracting a film of oil onto the cloth. Apply the material onto the affected area and leave for 10 minutes
Bleeding gums
Directions for use
Mouthwash: Add 1 drop of cypress oil to a glass and take a mouthful, holding in mouth for 1 minute. Always spit solution out, never swallow.
Menstruation problems
Regulates periods, helps with heavy periods.
Directions for use
Bath: Add up to 5 drops of pure essential oil to a bath of water and lie back and relax.
Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grape seed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil and massage into abdominal area in a clockwise direction.
Oily skin
Cypress oil has astringent properties making it ideal for oily skins.
Directions for use
Compress: Add 1 to 2 drops of pure essential oil to 1 litre of warm water. Lay sterile material on the surface of the water thus attracting a film of oil onto the cloth. Apply the material onto the affected area and leave for 10 minutes.
Facial Massage: Mix 1 drop of pure essential oil to 2 teaspoons of almond or grape seed oil, or any other carrier oil and rub into face.
Inhalation: Boil 1 litre of water and pour into a bowl, add up to ten drops of pure essential oil, place a towel over your head and allow steam to rise onto face. Do not do if the skin is very sore as the steam may ‘burn’ already painful skin.
Asthma
Antispasmodic, and acts on the bronchi.
Directions for use
Handkerchief: Put a couple of drops of pure essential oil onto a tissue or handkerchief and inhale as and when required.
Oil burners. Sprinkle up to 5 drops of pure essential oil onto water and light the burner.
Piles / haemorrhoids
Cypress oil helps circulation that is sluggish.
Directions for use
Compress: Add 1 to 2 drops of pure essential oil to 1 litre of warm water. Lay sterile material on the surface of the water thus attracting a film of oil onto the cloth. Apply the material onto the affected area and leave for 10 minutes.
Varicose veins
Never massage directly over veins, and always massage in an upwards directions towards the heart.
Directions for use
Massage: Mix 20 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond, grape seed) to 10 drops of pure essential oil.
Sweaty feet
Directions for use
Footbath: Put 3 drops of oil in bowl of warm / hot water and soak feet for up to 15 minutes.
Deodoriser / Insect repellent
Most insects don’t like essential oils, particularly cypress oil. This oil is also very good at getting rid of animal smells like dog odours.
Directions for use
Oil burners: Sprinkle up to 5 drops of pure essential oil onto water and light burner.
Further Information
Where grown: The tree was originally from the east Mediterranean countries, but it now grows throughout Europe.
Parts used and method of extraction: The leaves and cones are used, and the oil extracted by steam distillation.
Colour and smell: The oil is colourless but can be yellow / green; smells sweet, woody and fresh, with a hint of turpentine.
Active ingredients: D-pinene, d-camphene, d-sylvestrene, cymere, sabinol, terpinic alcohol, and camphor of Cypress.
Properties: Astringent, antiseptic, deodorising.
Mixes well with: Lavender.