The cypress has been venerated for thousands of years as the tree of eternal life and its characteristic appearance shapes the landscape of Italy and southern France. Its leaves, wood and fruits have played an important role in naturopathy since ancient times. The essential oil of this tree is not only used successfully against various diseases, but also makes a valuable contribution to mental health.
Occurrence & cultivation of the cypress
The cypress thrives best in full sun, in sparsely vegetated, open landscapes and in dry, alkaline and firm soils. It reaches heights of up to thirty meters and is slender, columnar in shape with a pointed treetop. Its dark green and delicate leaves grow crosswise and are made up of tiny scales.
From March, inconspicuous yellow flowers appear, from which yellowish-green or brown round cones with a smooth surface structure develop in late summer and autumn. The essential oil contained in all parts of the plant smells pleasantly spicy and balsamic.
Effect & application
The leaves, blossoms and cones as well as the wood of the cypress can be used for the production of various natural remedies. The cypress owes its versatile healing properties to the essential oil, which can be used internally and externally. The highly aromatic cypress oil is obtained from the young shoots and fruits by steam distillation.
Seventy to one hundred kilograms of plant material make around one liter of essential oil, which is light yellow in color and slightly resinous. Cypress oil is used in the pharmaceutical industry as an ingredient for many creams and ointments and also unfolds its positive effect in the fragrance lamp.
For rubs or bath additives, a low concentration of cypress oil is mixed with a fatty base oil. Do not use cypress oil in babies and children in order to avoid skin irritation and overreactions.
All parts of the plants are suitable for the production of tea infusions, tinctures and homemade ointments. A tea can be easily prepared by pouring freshly brewed water over the fruit, leaves, twigs or the wood that has been crushed in a mortar and steeping for between ten and fifteen minutes. After straining, the fresh tea should be drunk two to three times a day in case of acute symptoms.
Since the cypress has a strong effect on the organism, it is recommended to take a break after using it for a maximum of six weeks. This prevents habituation effects or side effects resulting from long-term use.
A self-made tincture is also suitable for internal use by pouring alcohol or double grain over the collected plant parts and placing them in a well-sealed glass vessel. After about six weeks of steeping time, the mixture can be strained and transferred to a dark bottle. This tincture should be taken against the corresponding symptoms three times a day in an amount of a maximum of fifty drops.
If the mixture is felt to be too hot, it can be diluted with water. Both in tea and in tinctures, the essential cypress oil unfolds its healing properties in the form of compresses, ablutions, rubs, as well as sitting and full baths, even when used externally.
Importance for health, treatment & prevention
The cypress is important in naturopathy mainly because of its antiseptic as well as expectorant and antispasmodic properties, but it also has an extremely positive effect on the psyche.The most important areas of application for the cypress include diseases of the upper respiratory tract such as bronchitis, colds and whooping cough. The symptoms are effectively relieved by rubbing in and bathing, as the active ingredients of the oil dilate the bronchi and allow you to breathe deeply.
The antibacterial effect specifically fights pathogens. The essential oil of the cypress also has a balancing effect on the hormonal balance and is therefore one of the most effective natural remedies for gynecological problems. For menstrual and menopausal symptoms, cysts on the female genital organs, abdominal cramps and diseases of the prostate, hot baths with cypress tea or oil are particularly effective.
Due to the hemostatic effect of the cypress, wound healing is accelerated if small injuries are treated selectively with a tincture. Used internally as a tea, the cypress unfolds its healing properties for bleeding gums, gastrointestinal diseases as well as liver and digestive problems. In the case of skin problems and weak connective tissue, topical applications with ointments, baths or tinctures show a significant improvement in symptoms.
Oily skin and acne can be treated as effectively as cellulite and varicose veins with cypress-based care products. This is due to the strong astringent effect of the oil, which helps to thicken the upper layers of the skin. In the case of hemorrhoids, healing is accelerated by regular Sitz baths. Rheumatism patients benefit from regular rubs with a cypress tincture.
The essential oil has a balancing, grounding and mood-enhancing effect on mental upsets, sadness, absent-mindedness and difficulty concentrating. It helps you organize your thoughts and focus on the essentials.
People who mourn a loved one benefit from its comforting effect. In aromatherapy, cypress oil is often used in combination with geranium, lemon and orange. This mixture develops a harmonizing and refreshing effect in the fragrance lamp, stabilizes the circulation and calms nervousness.
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