What's So Special About Cypress?

December 14, 2023

by Sarah Villafranco, MD

Ingredient

Cypress Essential Oil

What's the fancy Latin name for cypress?

Cupressus sempervirens

Why do we love cypress essential oil?

The ancient romance of the cypress tree offers many modern day uses—and a unisex, spicy, resinous aroma.

How did cypress become popular?

These conical evergreens towered over the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean where their slender, statuesque shape struck the imaginations of the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians. Cypress became associated with practices surrounding death and mourning, but this is in part to the tree’s Latin name—sempervirens, which means “always flourishing”— and the lovely idea of eternal life in death. Today it is grown across much of Southern Europe and North Africa while cultivation and distillation mainly take place in Spain, France, and (our choice) Morocco.

What are the health benefits of cypress?

Much like its evergreen nature, many of cypress’ uses have been long-lived. The Greeks would steep cypress cones in their wine to help treat asthma and coughs while the Egyptians imported oils of cypress from their neighbors in the Mediterranean for use in their body oils.

Many people still use cypress essential oil in home asthma and cough remedies today since it is an antispasmodic and soothing to the respiratory system. Adding a few drops of cypress essential oil to our Naked Body Oil, meanwhile, harkens back to the practices of the ancient civilization along the Nile: ancient Egyptians (men and women alike) were the original masters of DIY beauty, blending carrier and essential oils in their bathing rituals on the banks of the river.

Fun facts about cypress:

Needle-leaf trees, a.k.a. conifers, are hardy and can survive in poor soil conditions with little water. The Cypress of Abarkuh is an Iranian national monument. It’s the oldest living cypress in the world with an estimated 4,000 years of history resting in its roots!
Cypress trees can grow up to 70 feet tall—a height which the Cypress of Abarkuh has surpassed with its 82 feet. This particular tree is over 4000 years old, and one of the oldest living organisms in all of Asia.
Flamenco guitars are traditionally made from cypress that is thinly planed to create their vibrant and distinctive sound.
Create a massage oil for your tired or swollen legs! Take one ounce of a carrier oil (sunflower or jojoba) and add 10 drops of cypress, 10 drops of geranium, 5 drops of peppermint, and 5 drops of lemongrass. Massage gently towards the heart, starting at the ankles and moving up the legs gradually.

With love and woodsy smells,

The information contained in this post is for educational interest only and is not intended to represent claims for actions of cypress essential oil. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness or disease.

OUR WELLNESS + SKINCARE EXPERT

Sarah Villafranco, MD

Dr. Sarah Villafranco attended Georgetown University Medical School, and went on to complete her residency in emergency medicine at George Washington University. She moved to Colorado, where she practiced as a board-certified emergency medicine physician at Aspen Valley Hospital, Snowmass Clinic, and Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs, CO. After losing her mother to pancreatic cancer, she took a local soap making class, and fell in love with the chemistry and artistry of making soap. Sarah went into research mode and was alarmed to learn how many potentially harmful ingredients were in most skincare products on the market. She knew she could make better, safer products that were as effective (if not more so) than conventional products. After a few years of research and development, Sarah stepped away from the emergency room to launch Osmia Skincare in April of 2012. She remains a licensed physician in Colorado, and now helps people find healthier, happier skin as CEO of the brand.