CYPRESS AND ITS ESSENTIAL OIL
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Come away, come away, death. And in sad cypress let me be laid; Fly away, fly away, breath; I am slain by a fair cruel maid.
Twelfth Night; or, What You Will |
BACKGROUND
Folklore. The name for cypress comes from the
Greek character Cyparissus, who could not find consolation after
accidentally killing a favorite stag. He prayed to Apollo for
permission to grieve forever, and Apollo turned him into a cypress so
that his place would always be where others grieve.Thus continued the traditional association of cypress trees with cemeteries as an ancient symbol of comfort and solace and life after death. Cypress had already been associated with death through the Egyptian use of the wood to make the sarcophagi for mummies because it was almost immune to rot (Lavabre 1990, 1997). For the ancient Greeks and Romans this symbolic “everlastingness” was carried on through the use of the word “sempervirens,” which means “everliving.” Funereal use of “the Tree of Death” continued in southern Europe both for making coffins, as alluded to by Shakespeare in Twelfth Night, and for making funeral garlands or for strewing sprigs and branches on funeral biers. |
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Cypresse garlands are of great account at funerals amongst the gentiler sort, but rosemary and bayes are used by the commons both at funeralls and weddings. They are plants which fade not a good while after they are gathered . . . . and intimate that the remembrance of the present solemnity might not dye presently.—Coles: Introduction to the Knowledge of Plants. (As cited in Brewer 1927) |
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Description. Cypress is the common name given to several genera
of evergreen, aromatic trees and shrubs belonging to the coniferous
family Cupressaceae; however, only species of the genus Cupressus are considered true cypress. The Italian cypress (Cypressus sempervirens) has been distributed throughout the Mediterranean region since classical times. In its native soil it grows in a tapering columnar form to a height of 90 ft. Its branches are thickly covered with small, imbricate (overlapping like roof tiles), shiny green leaves. The species attains up to 1,000 years of age (Gymnosperm DB 1999). |
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The cones are between 1 and 1 ½ inches in diameter, generally in pairs, and are made up of large angular scales, slightly convex exteriorly, and with a sharp point at the center; they begin to open in September. After shedding the seeds, the cone persists on the tree for several years. Due to the aromatic oils, the seeds are fragrant, especially when crushed (Gymnosperm DB 1999). |
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timber is hard, close-grained, and of a fine reddish hue and very
durable. Italian cypress has a gloomy and forbidding but wonderfully
stately aspect. (EB 1971). Other Species. The Monterey cypress, Cupressus macrocarpa, is native only to a coastal strip below Monterey Bay in California; it has a conical form when young and then develops into a sturdy, low-spreading tree that withstands wind and salt injury. Arizona cypress, Cupressus arizonica, grows in the mountains of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico and is popularly used as Christmas trees throughout the southern United States. A cautionary anecdote is presented here about the oil of this particular species of cypress: “I recently distilled the leaves, twigs and cones of Cupressus arizonica or Arizona Cypress (sometimes referred to as blue cypress) . . . . and happened to catch a good whiff of the oil. Suddenly I was overcome by an intense burning sensation in my nasal cavity. I felt almost as if my head was going to explode from the pain. I had to call my assistant in to take the flask and funnel from my hands as I felt like I might drop it. I had to immediately run to the sink and flush out my eyes, nose and mouth with cold water. My nose continued to burn for about an hour after the incident. . . . I did not know what to expect and so was caught completely off guard. I ran the oil on the GC and found that it contained 32% umbellulone, which happens to be a very toxic ketone that attacks the human mucous membranes. . . . please be aware of the danger of this oil if you ever come across it.”1 |
| There are many other species of cypress used to produce an essential oil; however, C. sempervirens is considered superior (Lawless 1992). |
| Other Cypresses. Those trees referred to as cypress that are not true cypresses include the Port Orford white cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana); the Nootka sound cypress or Alaska cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatesis); and the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum),
famous for its southeastern U.S. swamp growths. Frequently used in
landscape plantings, the Leyland cypress is a hybrid of the Nootka and
Monterey (Coombes 1992). The remainder of this article is organized as follows:
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CHARACTERISTICS OF C. SEMPERVIRENS THERAPEUTIC USES Physical Actions Emotional Effects Metaphysical Associations SELECTED BLENDS UTILIZING THE SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES OF CYPRESS REFERENCES |
CHARACTERISTICS Regions of cultivation. France, Spain, Morocco. Production method. Steam distillation of the leaves, stems, and sometimes cones. Appearance. A colorless to pale yellow mobile liquid. Odor. Cypress has a spicy, smoky, juniper and pine-like aroma that is a natural deoderant, excellent for reducing unpleasant odors. Its woody-herbaceous scent is favored by men and frequently used in aftershave preparations. Note. Middle to base. Blending. Blend classification: Equalizer. Blend equalizers help get rid of sharp edges; they fill gaps and add harmonious flow in a blend. Equalizers can be used as up to 50% of a blend (Lavabre 1990, 1997). |
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| Ambrette seed | • |
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| Benzoin |
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| Bergamot |
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| Cardamom |
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| Cedarwood |
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| Chamomile, Moroccan | • |
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| Clary sage |
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| Juniper |
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| Labdanum |
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| Lavender |
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| Lemon |
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| Lime |
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| Pine |
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| Mandarin |
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| Marjoram |
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| Orange |
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| Sandalwood |
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Chemical constituents. |
| α-Pinene | 40%-50%. Antiseptic, bactericide, expectorant, fungicide. A main constituent of pine, eucalyptus, frankincense, rosemary, and juniper oils. When oxidized it can cause skin sensitization, but its presence in an essential oil would not be cause for concern so long as the oil is not oxidized Tisserand (1995) |
| δ-3-Carene | 15%-20%. Also found in black spruce and angelica root. Non-toxic, mildly irritant, non-sensitizing. It oxidizes slowly on exposure to air; thus there is a risk of skin sensitization from old or poorly stored batches of δ-3-carene-rich essential oils Tisserand (1995) |
| Cedrol | 3%-7%. Also occurs in Atlas cedarwood and other coniferous oils. Cedrol is a sesquiterpene and has antifungal activity. Non-toxic, non-irritant, non-sensitizing Tisserand (1995) |
| α-Terpinyl acetate | 2%-5%. Also found in cardamon, bay, cajeput, niaouli, and pine. Non-toxic, non-irritant, non-sensitizing Tisserand (1995) |
Safety data. Although Tisserand (1995) lists cypress as nontoxic (at oral < 5 g/kg), it is not approved by the FDA for internal consumption. It is not sensitizing and not phototoxic. Lawless (1992) lists it as nonirritant; Tisserand (1995) lists it as very mildly irritating. Avoid if high blood pressure or pregnant. Caution: Cypress oil is flammable. |
| THERAPEUTIC USES |  |
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cypress oil. An oil distilled from the leaves and branches of the young cypress Cupressus sempervirens, used as an inhalant in whooping cough (Webster's 1938). |
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Physical Actions. The healer for blood, sweat, and tears. Cypress is peerless for treating all conditions involving excess fluids. It refreshes, restores, and tones. Ethnobotanical uses. Antiseptic, astringent, cough, diuretic, expectorant, flu, rheumatism, styptic, sudorific, vasoconstrictor, vermifuge, vulnerary (Phytochem DB 1998). |
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Astringent. Cypress strengthens weak connective tissue. Cypress helps to balance oily skin and is helpful in treating acne. Cough, expectorant, mucolytic, antispasmodic. Cypress acts as a sedative to the respiratory nerve endings, thus relieving convulsive coughing, bronchitis, asthma, and flu, through inhalation of diffused oils or applied in massage oil as a chest rub. It is decongesting and detoxifying. Immune system stimulant. Cypress is best suited for chronic conditions rather than acute infections. Vasoconstrictor. As a venous decongestant, cypress oil helps to increase circulation and is good for treating visible veins. It constricts blood vessels and stops gum bleeding caused by pyorrhoea and is useful for treating broken capillaries. Styptic. Cypress stops bleeding, both externally and internally, including excessive menstrual flow. Diuretic. Cypress eliminates fluid retention. Menstrual disorders. Cypress is helpful in the treatment of pre-menstrual tension and dysmenorrhea (painful and difficult menstruation). Deoderant. Insect repellent. Cypress stops everything that flows in excess, e.g., running noses, diarrhea, heavy perspiration, and heavy menstrual flow. |
Emotional Effects.
Cypress has a very calming effect on the mind, particularly subduing
anger; this action benefits irritable people. It is sedative and
rebalancing. It improves concentration and helps to focus thoughts. It
creates feelings of security and grounding.Transitions. The balancing attributes of cypress make it a useful aid in coping with stressful transitional changes in career, living arrangements, or close relationships and in periods of loss and grief. When one experiences uncontrollable crying spells, the fragrance of cypress oil is soothing. Metaphysical Associations. “[Essential oils] can be used with the intention of raising the vibrations of whatever we are doing. Using them, we plant a seed of consciousness whose fruit is the sacred space that allows us to know the perfection of the universe.” (Greer 1993) |
| Tarot correspondence. Cypress is associated with the tarot card Death. Greer (1993) describes Death as representing "an aggressive surge towards creative life-energy, which may manifest as clearing the way for growth to take place, . . . destruction in preparation for renewal." |
Runic correspondence. The power of aromas for
mood creation and healing can be used in rune rituals. The rune
associated with cypress is Os (Ansuz, As, Asa), a symbol for the
divine breath (Pennick 1992). Blum (1993)
calls Ansuz the messenger rune and says, “the message may be that of a
new life unfolding. New lives begin with new
connections . . . . ” These metaphysical
perspectives fit harmoniously with the oil's physical use for the
respiratory system and the emotional associations with transition and
rebirth.Chakra correspondence. Systems associating specific essential oils with the different chakras vary quite a bit, and often one oil is assigned to more than one chakra. Remember, when working with metaphysical issues, personal intuitive experience is as valuable as following someone else's list. Cypress is associated with both the Root Chakra (Chakra 1—vitality, physical energy, self preservation, life force) and the Third Eye (Chakra 6—central nervous system, insight, inspiration). Astrological correspondence. Ruler: Saturn. Sex: Female Tisserand (1995). Mojay (1996) cites Pluto as the astrological association for cypress because of its potential to unearth the fears that block change. Character. Yin (Tisserand 1995); Yin Mojay (1996); Yang (Fischer-Rizzi 1990). Magical influences. Element: earth. Day of the week: Saturday. Gemstone association. Onyx. |
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SELECTED BLENDS UTILIZING THE SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES OF CYPRESS
The following blends are for diffusion; body, bath, or massage oil blends; or body powders. All essential oils contacting the body should be diluted. For further information on diluting essential oils, see the AGORA article Measurements. |
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Peaceful Grounding 1 Cypress 2 Atlas cedarwood 1 Red cedarwood 3 Sandalwood 4 Patchouli |
Female Blend 3 Rose geranium 3 Lavender 2 Clary sage 3 Cypress 1 Vanilla |
Tense and Exhausted 3 Clary sage 2 Cypress 1 Lavender 1 Tbsp. carrier oil (Mojay 1996) |
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Energy Blend 2 Cypress 5 Lime 3 Black pepper |
Allergy Relief 7 Eucalyptus 3 Cypress 3 Lime |
Confidence Blend 3 10 Cedarwood 12 Cypress 8 Pine (Worwood 1996) |
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Cellulite Bath 5 Juniper 3 Orange 3 Cypress 3 Lemon Yield: Two baths (Fischer-Rizzi 1990) |
Massage Oil for Sprains 2 5 Chamomile 5 Peppermint 5 Cypress 1 Tbsp. carrier oil (15 ml) (Schiller & Schiller 1994) |
Forest Scent Body Powder 10 Cypress 10 Eucalyptus 10 Sandalwood 2 Tbsp. Cornstarch (Schiller & Schiller 1994) |
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Assertion Blend 3 15 Cedarwood 5 Cypress 10 Lime (Worwood 1996) |
Foot Deoderant Powder 4 Tea tree 4 Lavender 2 Cypress ½ cup Baking powder |
Chest Cold Blend 1 Frankincense 1 Niaouli 1 Cypress 1 Eucalyptus |
FOOTNOTES 1R.S. Pappas, IDMA Aromatherapy List posting, Sept. 28, 1997. |
REFERENCES |
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Berwick, A. 1996. Aromatherapy: A Holistic Guide. Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, MN. 224 pp. Blum, R.H. 1993. The Book of Runes. St. Martin's Press, NY. 159 pp. Brewer, E.B. 1926. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. J.B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia. 1158 pp. Coombes, A.J. 1992. Trees. Dorling Kindersley, Ltd., London. 320 pp. Cunningham, S. 1989. Magical Aromatherapy. Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, MN. 206 pp. Encyclopedia Britannica (EB). 1971. "Cypress." Benton, W., Publisher. Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., Chicago. Fischer-Rizzi, S. 1990. Complete Aromatherapy Handbook. Sterling Publishing Co., New York. 240 pp. Greer, M.K. 1993. The Essence of Magic: Tarot, Ritual, and Aromatherapy. Newcastle Publishing Co., Van Nuys, CA. 192 pp. Gymnosperm Database (Gymnosperm DB) [online]. 1999. Earle, C.J., ed. Available from Internet: <URL:http://www.geocities.com/ RainForest/ Canopy/2285>. Harvey, P. 1932. The Oxford Companion to English Literature. Oxford University Press, London. 912 pp. Lavabre, M. 1990, 1997 Aromatherapy Workbook. Healing Arts Press, Rochester, VT. 182 pp. Lawless, J. 1992. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils. Element Books, Rockport, MA. 226 pp. Mojay, G. 1996. Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit. Henry Holt and Co., New York. 191 pp. Ovidii Metamorphosis, oder Verwandelungs Bucher [The Metamorphoses by Ovid]. 1703. Engravings by Johannes Baur. Nuremberg. Pennick, N. 1992. Rune Magic. The History and Practice of Ancient Runic Traditions. The Aquarian Press, London. 240 pp. Phytochemical Database (Phytochem DB) [online]. 1998. USDA-ARS NGRL, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, MD. Available from Internet: <URL:http://www.ars-grin.gov/duke>. Schiller, C., and Schiller, D. 1994. 500 Formulas for Aromatherapy. Sterling Publishing Co., New York. 128 pp. Tisserand, R.B. 1977. The Art of Aromatherapy. Rev. ed. Healing Arts Press, Rochester, VT. 323 pp. Tisserand, R., and Balacs, T. 1995. Essential Oil Safety. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh. 279 pp. Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language. 1938. Unabridged. 2nd ed. G.& C. Merriam Co., Springfield, MA Worwood, V.A. 1991. The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy. New World Library, San Rafael, CA. 423 pp. Worwood, V.A. 1996. The Fragrant Mind. New World Library, Novato, CA. 429 pp. |
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© S. Isakson 2000, All Rights Reserved |
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(Text Last updated 02/15/00, Reconstituted 6/13/2012)
Upgraded 8/30/2013
Note: A new edition of Robert Tisserand's book Essential Oil Safety has been published in 2013.