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Guide To Cypress Essential Oil Benefits and Uses

Cypress essential oil "offers strength and energetic protection to those who need protecting, and those who are feeling vulnerable and insecure or have lost their purpose," writes aromatherapist Valerie Ann Worwood in Aromatherapy For the Soul. She also writes that the emotional benefits of cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) are to encourage balance, confidence, inner peace, comfort, change, understanding, wisdom, stability, patience, trust, and straightforwardness.

Basic Cypress Facts

Plant family: Cupressaceae

Production: Steam distilled from the needles of the cypress tree.

Aroma: Woody, warm, herbaceous.

Perfume/Aromatic note: Middle

Is cypress safe to use during pregnancy? Use only after the fifth month of pregnancy, according to Aromatherapy and Massage For Mother and Baby. However, both IFPA and Essential Oil Safety do not specify waiting until after 5 months. Yet, still other sources say to avoid cypress during pregnancy. Seek professional advice.

Is cypress essential oil safe for children? Do not use with babies.

Cautions: If the oil becomes oxidized, it may cause skin sensitization.

Main components:

alpha-pinene 20.4–52.7%
delta-3-carene 15.2–21.5%
cedrol 2.0–7.0%
alpha-terpinyl acetate 4.1–6.4%

Source: Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Edition

Cypress Essential Oil Benefits

Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art: Cypress may help relieve oily skin and hair, dermatitis, excessive sweating, itching, skin injuries, skin growths, varicose veins, and cellulite. The essential oil may help lower blood pressure, improve poor circulation, and relieve hemorrhoids. Another use is in a gargle at the first sign of sore throat to help relieve laryngitis, spasmodic coughing, and lung congestion. The oil also helps ease anxiety, depression, grief, insomnia, nervousness, and helps people move on with their lives after emotional crisis.

The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: Uses for cypress essential oil include help relieving congestive conditions, fluid retention, edema, heavy and tired legs, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, menstrual cramps, menopausal fatigue, hot flashes, cellulite, dry coughs, respiratory conditions, and rheumatism.

The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (updated edition): Cypress may help relieve hemorrhoids, oily and overhydrated skin, excessive perspiration, bleeding gums, varicose veins, wounds, muscle cramps, edema, poor circulation, rheumatism, asthma, spasmodic coughing, menstrual pain and other problems, menopausal problems, nervous tension, and stress-related conditions. You can also use the oil in an insect repellent blend.

The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness: Cypress tones and balances oily skin. The essential oil is useful in blends for deodorants, insect repellents, menstrual cramp relief, cough relief, improving circulation, and calming the nervous system. The oil's woody note works well in perfumes, colognes, and men's aftershave.

Aromatherapy For Healing the Spirit: In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the principal action of cypress is to enliven and regulate the flow of blood, making the oil useful for improving circulation and relieving menstrual problems. The oil's astringent nature also helps reduce excessive perspiration, making the oil a useful ingredient in deodorants. Emotionally, cypress oil can help you cope with and accept change.

Aromatica: A Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics, Volume 2: Psychologically, cypress promotes self-confidence, motivation, willpower, and perseverance. Physically, the essential oil restores hypotonic/weak, decongests congestive/damp, and relaxes hypertonic/tense conditions. In Traditional Chinese Medicine the essential function of the oil is to tonify the Qi, activate Qi and Blood, and strengthen the Shen.

Subtle Aromatherapy: Cypress oil is helpful at times of transition, ranging from changing jobs to ending relationships to dealing with grief.

Aromatherapy and Subtle Energy Techniques: Cypress strengthens and comforts and helps you deal with change. The oil is particularly useful for the third chakra to promote confidence and patience and support the willingness to change.

Mixing Essential Oils for Magic: Cypress helps provide comfort and healing when dealing with death and loss. The oil centers and grounds energy before and after ritual.

Cypress Oil Uses and Blends

Diffuse cypress essential oil to promote emotional balance. The scent is calming and energizing and can relieve feelings of anxiousness.

Other uses of cypress essential oil:

For cough relief, place 1 to 3 drops cypress on a tissue and inhale.
To reduce the pain of neuropathy and neuralgia: Blend 2 drops cypress oil, 2 drops rosemary oil, and 2 drops helichrysum oil into 1/2 teaspoon of carrier oil. Rub on area of neuropathy.
Nourishing shampoo: Add 6 drops cypress and 6 drops helichrysum to an 8-ounce bottle of unscented shampoo. Mix thoroughly. Shampoo as usual.
Circulation-enhancing bath: Combine 5 drops cypress with 1 teaspoon coconut oil. Mix into 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) Epsom salt. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of the mixture to warm bath water.

Sources: Essential Oils Guide by Dr. Axe and 150 Ways to Use Essential Oils from Edens Garden.

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