Cypress essential oil : properties, benefits, uses in aromatherapy and natural remedies. A mini guide on how to use cypress essential oil.
The cypress is a very large tree of the family Cupressaceae. The cypress has a tapered, pyramidal, very branched crown where its cylindrical twigs bear numerous leaves. The essential oil of cypress is obtained from the youngest twigs of the botanical species Cupressus sempervirens, it is extracted by steam distillation in order to have excellent yields in terms of production.
Cupressus sempervirens
On this page we will talk about Cypress essential oil obtained from Cupressus sempervirens, also called French cypress. This clarification was born in order not to generate confusion given that there is an additional cypress essential oil but this time obtained from the botanical species Chamaecyparis Obtusa which always belongs to the Cupressaceae family but carries different properties and characteristics.
The essential oil of cypress extracted from the Chamaecyparis Obtusa plant is also known as Japanese cypress oil: the Chamaecyparis Obtusa has Asian origins and is known by the names Tetragona Aurea, cypress hinoki or, in Japan, simply hinoki.
Cypress essential oil: properties
To make cypress essential oil popular are its expectorant properties, perfect for naturally treating cough and cellulite, useful for the circulatory system and relieving headaches.
Vasoconstrictor – remedy against varicose veins
The essential oil of cypress, for external use, acts as a vasoconstrictor counteracting the formation of edema and acting as a good natural remedy in case of hematomas: to “lighten” a bruise and make it disappear faster, add a few drops of essential oil of cypress with extra virgin olive oil and gently massage on the area affected by the hematoma. For these properties, it can be used to counteract varicose veins.
Toning bath
10 drops of essential oil to be added with a handful of coarse salt in the water of the tub, to be emulsified by shaking strongly, can give life to a good toning bath. Immerse yourself for at least 10 minutes to benefit from the decongestant action for the circulatory and lymphatic system. For these same properties, it is useful for combating cellulite.
Remedy against cellulite
You can make an anti-cellulite based massage ointment by diluting 2 drops of cypress essential oil, 2 drops of juniper essential oil and 2 drops of grapefruit essential oil in a tablespoon of almond oil. The essential oils mentioned have excellent anti-cellulite properties, in particular, the cypress essential oil acts as a vasoconstrictor, excellent for those with water retention problems, varicose veins and capillary fragility.
Cypress essential oil in aromatherapy
According to experts, cypress essential oil acts as an antidepressant. If inhaled, it has a rebalancing action on the nervous system.
To relieve cough and headache
The expectorant properties make cypress essential oil a good natural remedy against cough, whooping cough and tracheitis.
Where to buy cypress essential oil
As well as Japanese cypress essential oil, French cypress essential oil can also be purchased online or in shops specializing in the sale of natural products.
Contraindications
Like any other essential oil, cypress oil cannot be used pure on the skin. Essential oils can be stinging if used pure, why? They are highly concentrated and rich in the most diverse active ingredients. That is why before using this essential oil it will be essential to dilute it in a carrier oil. To obtain anti-cellulite ointments or against varicose veins, dilutions of 1% are enough.
The best carrier oil is sweet almond oil: it is easily absorbed by the skin. It is important to make some considerations on the vegetable oil in which you are going to dilute the essential oil. Most of the natural vegetable oils, after a few hours, tend to give off a bad smell. On the market there are many vegetable oils added with perfumes but we do not recommend their use because they tend to be sensitizers or make the benefits of the essential oil you are going to add ineffective.
