Latin Name: Cupressus sempervirens Origin: France
Edible: No
Extraction Method: Steam distillation
Cypress trees belong to one of the oldest plant families on Earth - the
Cupressaceae, which is some 17 million years old. The trees can live for many hundreds of years, which has given them the name
sempervirens, meaning "ever-alive". In the folklore of many countries, cypress trees are seen as a gateway to the "otherworld" or the afterlife, which is why they are often found in churchyards. In Tibet, twigs and branches of this evergreen tree are burned as sacred incense. The essential oil is produced from the leaves and twigs, and has a deep, earthy and smokey aroma, with sharper fresh notes as it evaporates.
Cypress essential oil is non-toxic, non irritating and non-sensitizing, so is safe for all skin types.
For more information on how to use essential oils please read our article:
Aromatherapy Basics for Using Pure Essential Oils