Excellent Aromatherapy Guide

(Cupressus sempervirens)

Family: Cupressaceae

Description: Cypress is an exceptionally long-lived evergreen tree with needle-type leaves, often grown near cemeteries. The essential oil is steam-distilled from the leaves and twigs.

Countries of origin: France, Italy, Spain, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily

Characteristics: Cypress has spicy, resinous top notes and sweet, smoky, balsamic, woody undertones. It blends well with most other woods and citruses, and also with frankincense, clary sage, lavender, cardamom, marjoram, geranium, neroli, black pepper and benzoin.

Main therapeutic properties: Anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, anti-sudorific, anti-toxic, astringent, deodorant, diuretic, hepatic, tonic, vasoconstrictive.

Cypress is recommended whenever there is excess fluid, because it is a powerful astringent and venous decongestant. This makes it the first choice mixed in an ointment to treat varicose veins and haemorrhoids, and in massage, baths and compresses to regulate over-heavy and painful menstruation. Cypress also helps to reduce the hot flushes associated with the menopause. In a bath or foot bath, it helps to prevent excessive sweating of the feet. Overall, cypress is warming, drying and soothing.

The clean, fresh woody aroma of cypress makes it a welcome addition to men’s skin-care preparations, and it helps acne, oily and over-hydrated skin. Cypress makes a lovely deodorant when blended with bergamot and geranium, dissolved in a little vodka and mixed into orange-flower water and witch hazel. It also helps with nervous weakness and anxiety, restoring a strong, calm demeanour.

Psychologically, cypress is purifying, protecting and refreshing, and was traditionally used in purifying incense. Like juniper, it provides excellent psychic protection and, as a symbol of eternity, cypress instils strength and I’wisdom. It also helps the flow of stagnant subtle energies. Cypress was dedicated to Pluto, the god of the underworld, and so is associated with the base chakra. It can be used in meditations for bereavement, difficult transitions and painful changes.

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