Cypress is a wonderful antimicrobial air freshener
The Origins Of Cypress Essential Oil
Cypress is fresh without being over powering, it is a air cleanser and tonic without the medicinal like scent of pine. Beautiful balsamic, smoky undertones makes this oil suitable for winter or summer.
Extraction
The oil is steam distilled from the leaves and twigs
INCI
Cupressus sempervirens
Aromatherapy Uses
Cypress has long been used by aromatherapists for anxiety and stress. A blend including Cypress was testing in a 2005 study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1142199/
Skin Uses
As Cypress has such a pleasant odour and combined with its natural antimicrobial and antibacterial properties Cypress makes the perfect ingredient to include in deodourising products.
A 2017 review article indicated that Cypress is one of the most commonly quoted ingredients in Anti Cellulite based products:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5435909/
Hair Uses
Cypress isn't used often in hair care products, other than to provide a pleasing scent and cleansing properties.
Therapeutic Properties
Cypress has strong antimicrobial properties and it cleanses the air. These properties make Cypress the ideal product for cleansing and cold sore type applications. A 2009 paper found that Cypress oils were effective against oral herpes (the virus that can cause warts and cold sores).
http://ijbms.mums.ac.ir/article_5165_fd728cb47f4aa5d4a65d2a9b74eb1704.pdf
Cypress Blends well with
Blends beautifully with citruses and other woods as well as Frankincense, Clary Sage, Lavender, Cardamom, Marjoram, Geranium, Neroli, Black Pepper and Benzoin.
Precautions
The beneficial effects on varicose veins are well documented but over usage of the oils in massage could be too heavy. As with all essential oils we recommend against their use in pregnancy, but cypress regulated the menstrual cycle and therefore should definitely be avoided.
Understanding Oil Extraction Methods
What is Steam Distillation?
Steam Distillation is the most popular method of distillation of Essential oil. High pressure hot steam is passed through the plant material. The volatile compounds of the plant material are transferred to the steam and pass through a coil where they are cooled.
On cooling, the oil being lighter than water will separate from the water where it is possible to syphon off.
The remaining water becomes the floral water / hydrolat of the plant material.
What is Expression?
This is just like the process of peeling a citrus fruit. Effectively it is the cold processing of the fruit to extract the essential oil.
Primarily this technique is used on Citrus Essential Oils where the heat of steam would destroy the scent and properties.
Mechanical pressure is applied to the fruit and the resulting oil is the essential oi.
What is an Absolute?
Absolutes require solvent extraction in order to extract them.
Some plants are very difficult to extract the essential oil, either to produce a quality product or to obtain a yield which is economical. Examples of oils which are normally obtained by Solvent extraction are Vanilla, Jasmine and Rose.
Normally Organic ethanol is used to steep the flowers and then evaporated to leave just the concentrated absolute of the plant.
Important Information
Naturallythinking Essential oils are for external use only. We do not sell aromatherapy oils / products for internal use. The information contained on these pages is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Aromatherapy should not be used by those who are pregnant or under the supervision of a medical practitioner / doctor without consultation with the medical practitioner / doctor. If you have a medical condition or any worries, always consult with a doctor / medical practitioner first.