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Living Earth Newsletter
"Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)"
Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) is a tall, handsome, coniferous tree, native to the Mediterranean, gracing the landscapes of Greece, Italy and southern France and is also grown in the Balkan states, North Africa, Portugal and Spain. A statuesque, conical shaped, evergreen tree with slender branches, it's wood is of a reddish-yellow color and any thing made from this wood is impervious to attacks from insects. It bears small, insignificant flowers and round, brownish-gray cones or nuts. It's wood is used for furniture, houses and boats, being very durable. These trees are commonly found planted in churchyards and graveyards. For many Americans, the mention of cypress trees conjure up images of the Southeastern swamps of the U.S., draped in mysterious Spanish mosses, their eerie knees reaching up through the water in multitudes. Please be aware that this is a deciduous cypress and a different species of cypress than that which is used for commercial essential oil production.
History
The history of cypress goes way back to ancient civilizations who took full advantage of it's durability and medicinal value. It symbolized 'everlastingness' to the ancient Greeks and Romans, and indeed, the word 'sempervirens' means "ever-living". They were fond of using this wood for building their houses and furniture for it would last. To the Cretans and Pheonecians, this was one of the woods of choice for ship building. This was also the wood the Egyptians used to make their sarcophagi and it still, to this day, is used in making coffins. It symbolized life after death, and so was commonly planted in church and graveyards. The Assyrians burned it as an incense and it is still burned by the Tibetans as a purification incense. In Western rituals, it's oil was used for blessings and protection. It is said that the smoke of the leaves drives away gnats. The shavings of the wood are used to deter moths and it's rosin is laid among garments for this same purpose. The Chinese consider the nuts to be very nutritious and beneficial for the liver and respiratory system as well as checking profuse perspiration. It is popular in the fragrance industry, especially in men's fragrances.
Aromatherapy uses
The essential oil of cypress is derived by steam distillation of the needles and twigs and, occasionally from the cones. It is one of the few essential oils that can be used neat (undiluted on the skin) by most individuals. It is of a very pale yellow to greenish-olive color and has a smoky, sweet balsamic, piney odour with a strong mid and top note and a mild base note. It blends well with wood, pine, and citrus scents.
Chemistry of Cypress
The main chemical constituents found in Cupressus sempervirens are camphene, cedrol, cymene, pinene, sabinol, sylvestrene, terpineol, tannins and valeric acid. Camphene, cymene and pinene are monoterpenes and help protect from microbial infection. Camphene is useful for the reduction of the cholesterol saturation index, cymene can be useful as a local analgesic inrheumatic conditions and pinene is useful as an insect repellant. Sabinol and terpineol can contribute anti-viral properties. Sabinolis an oxygenated hydro-carbon alcohol and can have the effects of sedative, emmenagogue and anthelmintic. Another oxygenated hydro-carbon alcohol is terpineol and it is a good antiseptic. Cedrol is a sesquiterpene and has antifungal activity.
Therapeutic Properties of Cypress for the Human Body
Therapeutic properties for cypress are varied and I have found it to be most effective in the reproductive system for reducing excess blood flow during menstruation as well as aiding hormonal balance for PMS and menopausal symptoms; in the respiratory system I have found nothing quite as effective for swollen glands and throat conditions, especially if caught in the beginning stages, and I include cypress in blends for conditions of coughing spasms, bronchitis, asthma and colds & flues; in the circulatory system, it is a most wonderful stimulant for the circulation in conditions of low blood pressure, and useful in the treatment of varicose veins and edema. Due to it's astringency and diuretic properties, cypress can aid in cases of water retention. For the skin it is useful for fighting cellulite, shrinking hemorrhoids, repelling insects and decreasing perspiration as well as being a good antiseptic for wounds. For muscles and joints it helps with cramps and rheumatism. It is also effective in small amounts (a drop or two) as a mouth rinse for pyorrhea and other gum conditions and a gargle for fighting sore throats.
The Psychological Effects of Cypress
The effects that cypress has been found to be effective during transitional periods such as changes in career, living arrangements, spiritual decisions, close relationships and in periods of loss and grief. Valnet used it as a general tonic, especially for the nervous system, for it helps to sedate nerve endings while being uplifting to the spirit. It is recommended for nervous tension and stress related conditions.
Safety Precautions for
Cypress oil is good, safe oil. If using in a mouth rinse or gargle remember to use only 1 or 2drops
Summing it up
This is another good essential oil for the medicine chest or first aid box. Cypress essential oil is one of my favorites due to it's efficiency in aiding a wide range of conditions that commonly crop up at my house, from colds and flu to stress. I also find cypress a pleasant oil to wear as a fragrance, it's earthy and pungent aroma is on the masculine side.
Happiness and Good Health to All,
Jody L. Boda~Newell for Living Earth Herbalist Society
These newsletters are not meant to be used for diagnosing or to replace the care of a physician. All information contained in this newsletter is obtained through scientific research, years of research from other practicing aromatherapists and herbalists and my own research and personal experiences as a practicing aromatherapist and herbalist.
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