Organic Cypress Essential Oil

Fragrance: Fresh, green, evergreen aroma, balsamic undertone

Botanical Name: Cupressus sempervirens

Emotional Effect: Calming, grounding and invigorating

Method of Extraction: Steam Distillation of Leaves and Branches

The Italian cypress originally comes from Persia and the Mediterranean region with this oil produced from a plant grown in Spain. It thrives in arid climates with lots of sunlight and can withstand drought. It is a tough plant which has absorbed a lot of sunshine.

For me, inhaling Cypress takes me to dry and sunny hillsides in Greece and the peaceful and cleansing nature of that environment. This cleansing and peaceful quality likely explains why it is used in some cleansing incenses as well as the wood being burnt like sage to cleanse spaces.

As well as cleansing spaces, it's great for cleansing faces! One of my favourite uses is when it is combined with Bergamot and Frankincense in a balm to cleanse or deeply cleanse and moisturise the face overnight. 

According to a 2022 review, Cypress has antiseptic, antioxidant, astringent, anti-inflammatory. antiperspirant, diuretic and antispasmodic properties. As this study shows, it's a wonderful oil to have a home collection as it can help with a wide range of issues. These antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory attributes mean it relieves asthma symptoms, while reducing internal inflammation when inhaled, and, this lung support is also linked to its metaphysical properties. 

In metaphysical healing, the lungs are associated with grief and Cypress trees, as well as the essential oil, are also believed to help people with their grief. When my father died suddenly, I experimented a lot with blends to help with grief and an excellent one for persistent sense of loss included Cypress oil. If you want to recreate it, simply add the following to 30ml of Argan oil; 2 drops of Rose, 4 drops of Cypress, 2 drops of Frankincense and 4 drops of Bergamot. You can add it to a roller ball and carry it with you whenever you need support or use it as a massage oil when you have more space.

It is also useful for reducing feelings of anxiety in the sufferer and, consequently can be helpful in a massage oil blend for someone needing to relax. To make a relaxing blend, add the following to 100ml of a carrier oil; 10 drops of Basil, 10 drops of Mandarin, 13 drops of Neroli and 13 drops of Cypress. If you don't have anyone to massage it into you, simply have a hot bath or show and then massage it into your self before lying down to relax and absorb it - it can work absolutely wonders during a busy day.