Product Overview
Highly valued for its multitude of uses by ancient civilizations, Cypress is still used as a ceremonial incense by the Tibetans.[1] Cypress trees are long-lived and do not easily decay (thus the Latin name sempervirens – lives forever); this is perhaps the primary reason why the Greeks chose Cypress wood to sculpt statues of their immortal gods.[2] These trees are all about endurance – the oldest living Cypress tree is in Iran and is estimated to be approximately 4,000 years old!
Once used to make Flamenco guitars,[3] and most famously for the doors of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City, Rome, the essential oil-rich wood is naturally resistant to insects, chemical corrosion and other damaging elements. These tall, slender trees epitomize upward motion and centered energy and, not surprisingly, Cypress Leaf essential oil is often included in pre-workout blends or diffused during yoga practice.[4] It is a wonderful astringent for oily skin, scalp, and foot preparations, and as an addition joint and chest rubs and cleansing baths.
Cupressus sempervirens essential oil has a buoyant, uplifting aroma that is shared by many of the coniferous needle trees and is used in perfumes and colognes as a tenacious fragrance component. Author Scott Cunningham suggests that a combination of Cypress Leaf and Patchouli essential oils creates an ambergris-like substitute.[5] Another source agrees, recommending proportions of one part Patchouli with two parts Cypress Leaf.[6]
1 Lawless, Julia. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, 2013, p. 81.
2 Sellar, Wanda. The Directory of Essential Oils, 1992, pp.50-1.
3 http://www.wood-database.com/mediterranen-cypress/
4 Private communication.
5 Cunningham, Scott. The Complete Book of Incense, Oils and Brews, 2nd ed., 2008, p. 28.
6 Daniel, Marilyn F. Kitchen Witchery, 2002.
7 Lawless, Alec. Artisan Perfumery or Being Led by the Nose, 2009, p. 68.
8 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, p. 211.
9 Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety, 2nd ed., 2014, p. 265.
