Cypress Essential Oil: From Mediterranean Roots to Global Impact

Welcome back to Harvesters’ Corner! In our last post we spoke of an ornamental tree, namely Pink Pepper, which had spread worldwide from the mountains of Peru, and how people living on a different continent were now using said tree to become self-reliant and forge a better future for their children. Today, we are continuing that theme, with a different ornamental tree that has spread far and wide from its Mediterranean home.

Cypress is an evergreen coniferous tree native to the lands surrounding the Mediterranean Sea and should not be confused with the island nation of Cyprus, which is also located in the Mediterranean, off the coast of Greece. These trees are easily recognized for their tall, pyramidal form, and are frequently used to line walkways throughout the countryside. They can grow tall, with older trees often reaching heights over eighty feet (25 meters). While there are multiple species of cypress, today we will be focusing on just one: Cupressus sempervirens, also known as the Italian Cypress or the Mediterranean Cypress. This species is a hardy tree, able to withstand both acidic and alkaline soil, as well as being able to withstand droughts. It can be a long-lived tree, with some specimens in its native range reported to be more than 1,000 years old.

The tree’s beauty and ability to adapt led to it being transplanted throughout the ancient world, mainly in lands influenced by the Roman Empire. Take a moment and consider that the oldest trees lining the Appian Way, the great avenue leading to Rome, likely were witness to countless legions marching out to conquer the world and greeting the triumphant heroes home. In time, the tree spread even further, with it now being found in the arid climates of the American Southwest, South Africa, and southern Australia, as well as more humid environments like the British Isles, New Zealand, the Pacific Northwest, and south-east America, especially the state of Florida.

 

In more classical times, the tree was used as a symbol of mourning. Cypress became associated with death because the tree dies when cut back too far. In Ancient Greece, Athenian households mourning the loss of a loved one would be decked with garlands of Cypress boughs, and the branches were used in funeral pyres. In the more modern era, the tree is still the principal cemetery tree in both Europe and in the Muslim world. (1)

Cypress was also used in construction in the ancient world. The wood was used to build Solomon’s Temple at Jerusalem, as well as used in shipbuilding. (2) One surviving example of Cypress used as a construction material are the doors of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. (3)

As indicated earlier, Cypress has been transplanted worldwide for use as an ornamental tree. Just like the subject of our last article, Cypress trees were introduced into Kenya in the early 1900s. As essential oils grew in popularity, production sources for different oils were sought. Through Co-Impact Sourcing, Kenya was identified as a prime production source for Cypress, as were Morocco and Spain. In Kenya, the tree was used as a means of reclaiming farmland, as well. Today, many farmers grow Cypress to be able to sell the wood for construction uses. However, they often must wait at least twenty years before they see any revenue. Through Co-Impact Sourcing, another means of revenue has opened to them.

The oil from Cypress comes from the leaves on the branches, not from the wood of the main trunk. Therefore, branches can be trimmed on an annual basis and processed for oil, while the tree continues to grow.

As has been emphasized repeatedly throughout various posts we’ve done, Co-Impact Sourcing strives to better people’s lives as they grow and harvest the material used for producing the oils. In Kenya, one way Co-Impact Sourcing betters the people, is by setting aside a portion of revenue from every kilogram of oil produced. These funds are used in Kenya with the co-operation of the growers to further development as they see fit. Many of the projects listed in the article for Pink Pepper were started with revenue generated from Cypress and finished through support of the Healing Hands Foundation. These projects include numerous initiatives for better primary education, improved sanitation and water facilities, and scholarships for secondary education opportunities.

Why is Cypress oil so important? Why is this effort spent? Cypress affects several body systems, including the skin and the nervous system. Cypress calms emotions, relieves anxious thoughts, and promotes vitality. It also improves the appearance of your skin. Cypress can be used both topically and aromatically. Cypress excess in a diffuser. Its piney scent partners well citrus oils like Lime, Lemon, and Wild Orange. Other options include earthy scents like Bergamot and Frankincense, or florals like Lavender and Clary Sage. (4)

There has been extensive research done concerning Cypress oil. To learn more concerning the chemistry of Cypress, and learn more about the tree’s history, click here to listen to the dōTERRA podcast concerning Cypress. (5)

To experience the benefits of Cypress first-hand, click here to purchase Certified Pure, Tested Grade Cypress Oil. You can also purchase any of the other oils listed above, as well. If you want to learn more about Co-Impact Sourcing, or to learn about the Healing Hands Foundation, click the links.

Join us next time here at Harvesters’ Corner, as we go from the United States to India exploring peppermint. Until then, stay safe! And for our subscribers in America, have a wonderful Independence Day!

Sources

1.    Wikipedia. “Cupressus Sempervirens” Online. <www.wikipedia/

cupressus_sempervirens>. Accessed 31 May 2024.

2.    European Forest Genetic Resources Programme. “Cupressus sempervirens.” Online. <https://www.euforgen.org/species/cupressus-sempervirens>. Accessed 31 May 2024.

3.    Child of the Thames. “The Tears of the Woods – Cupressus Sempervirens.” Peter C. Simms and The Garden of Gods and Monsters, 2013. Online. <garden ofgodsandmonsters.wordpress.com/2014/08/24/the-tears-of-the-woods-cupressus-sempervirens>. Accessed 31 May 2024.

4.    dōTERRA. “The Power of Cypress.” Online. <www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/spotlight-the-power-of-cypress>.  Accessed 31 May 2024.

5.    dōTERRA. “Using Oils Internally, Plus Exploring the History of Cypress.” Podcast, Episode 159. 1 October 2021. <www.doterra.com/US/en/podcast-episode-159-using-oils-internally-plus-exploring-the-history-of-cypress>. Accessed 31 May 2024.