Cypress essential oil (buy it here) smells so wonderful. It is distilled from the scale-type needles, twigs and sometimes the berries of evergreen cypress trees. This oil is a very effective treatment for respiratory problems, digestive problems, muscle spasms and skin problems.
Cypress oil has antiseptic, astringent, antibacterial, diuretic, styptic, hepatic, hemostatic, sudorific (makes you sweat), sedative yet stimulating and vasoconstricting properties that give it some truly remarkable uses. It is even anti-rheumatic. This beneficial property alone makes cypress EO extremely handy to have around.
1. Treat Wounds and Sores
Apply cypress essential oil to wounds and sores twice a day to prevent bacterial infection and speed healing. Mix 1 to 3 drops of cypress EO into 1 teaspoon of a carrier oil before applying. You shouldn’t use full-strength cypress oil on the skin, although you can use a blend as strong as half and half for a short time. Any carrier oil is great for this. Jojoba is especially good for the skin. Coconut oil has antibacterial properties, too, so it would be an excellent carrier oil to use. You can also use a mixture of carrier oils. I like to use about 1 teaspoon of coconut oil and 1/2 teaspoon of a lighter oil like argan or sweet almond.
2. Encourage Blood Clotting
Use the 50/50 cypress EO/carrier oil blend to help stop bleeding. Its styptic properties actually encourage the formation of blood clots. Its vasoconstrictor properties also help in this area by causing blood vessels to constrict, thus slowing the bleeding.
*Stronger dilution rates should only be used for 10 days to 2 weeks at a time. The 1% to 3% dilution rate (1 to 3 drops per teaspoon) is fine for everyday use.*
Important Note: Whatever you choose for an oil, make sure that the oils you purchase are high quality. Remember, you’re breathing this oil into your lungs so essential oil quality is a terrible place to cut corners.
3. Clear up Acne
Add 1 to 3 drops of cypress EO to a mild facial moisturizer or carrier oil and use it to treat acne. Its antimicrobial, antiseptic and astringent properties will quickly clear it up. Jojoba oil is especially good for this if you have dry skin because it stimulates healthy production of sebum. Argan or sweet almond oils may be better if you tend to get oily skin.
4. Get Rid of Cellulite
Massage cypress oil into the skin to get rid of cellulite. Its diuretic, anti-rheumatic and astringent properties help reduce excess fluids and inflammation while firming the skin. Use the 2% to 3% dilution rate for this and apply it once or twice a day. Argan oil and/or coconut oil are especially good for this. Argan oil is excellent for toning the skin.
5. Soothe and Reduce Varicose Veins
Apply the 2% to 3% cypress oil/carrier oil blend to your skin where varicose veins are a problem. Its astringent and anti-rheumatic properties help shrink and heal varicose veins. Cypress oil’s anti-rheumatic properties also help relieve the throbbing pain of varicose veins after you’ve been on your feet all day. You can use it twice a day.
**Apply a small amount of a 3% cypress oil/carrier oil blend to an inconspicuous area. Wait at least a few hours to see if you get a reaction before you begin using it all over.**
6. Reduce Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Massage a 2% to 3% cypress oil/carrier oil blend into your wrists to help alleviate carpal tunnel syndrome. It works on this condition in much the same way as varicose veins. You can use the stronger dilution rate, if necessary, but work up to it slowly. Start with the lower rate and increase it as needed.
7. Treat Arthritis
Rub a 2% to 3% cypress/carrier oil blend into painful, arthritic areas as part of your arthritis treatment. Its anti-rheumatic properties will give you quick relief. In severe cases, you can use a stronger dilution rate for up to two weeks. Build up slowly, though, and make it only as strong as you need to.
8. Firm Loose Skin
Use a 1% to 3% cypress oil/carrier oil blend to firm loose skin. This remarkable use is especially beneficial for people who have recently lost weight. It is also great for those of us who are getting a bit older and developing loose skin at the throat, upper arm and thighs. You can use any carrier oil you like for this. You can add cypress oil to your favorite moisturizer or toner, too, if you prefer. Just check the ingredients to see if it already contains cypress oil.
9. Alleviate Muscle Cramps
Massage cramped or spasmodic muscles with a 1% to 3% cypress essential oil/carrier oil blend. It immediately soothes the muscles to stop the spasm.
*Do not get essential oil in your nose, where it will come in contact with sensitive mucous membranes, or in your eyes.*
10. Eliminate Excess Water Weight and Improve Digestion
Practice cypress essential oil aromatherapy to eliminate excess water weight or edema and improve digestion. This is a condition where the body accumulates excess moisture in the skin and outer tissues. Cypress oil will help you sweat out the excess and also eliminate it through urination. It is a natural diuretic, which encourages the healthy elimination of excess fluids. Simply add 5 to 7 drops to your diffuser and run it for 30 to 60 minutes a few times a day. You can also apply the 1% to 3% cypress/carrier oil into your waist, hips and thighs for the same benefit.
11. Detoxify the Liver
Practice cypress EO aromatherapy, take a warm bath with 5 drops of cypress oil added or massage your abdomen with a 1% to 3% cypress/carrier oil blend to help detoxify your liver and lymphatic system. For aromatherapy, simply add 5 to 7 drops to 1/2 – 1 cup of distilled water in your diffuser and run it for 30 to 60 minutes. To use the massage oil, begin applying it to the right, upper abdominal area just above the liver. Rub the oil in and massage the area gently but firmly. After a few minutes, work your way down over the rest of the abdomen, lightly massaging the oil in as you go. This will help stimulate the liver and bile production to release toxins.
Related post: Choosing the Best Ox Bile Products
12. Improve Respiratory Conditions
Practice cypress oil aromatherapy for 30 to 60 minutes, take a warm cypress oil bath or massage the oil into your chest and back to get relief from respiratory conditions. This will help alleviate bronchitis, asthma and other upper respiratory conditions. Just use the 1% to 3% blend for this. It makes a great vapor rub. If you don’t have a diffuser, you can add 3 to 5 drops of cypress EO to a pan of hot water, drape a towel over your head and inhale the vapors from that. Be careful not to burn yourself, though. The water just has to be hot enough to steam. It shouldn’t be boiling.
13. Alleviate Anxiety
Inhale cypress vapors from a diffuser to reduce anxiety. It will quickly calm you down. If you are away from home and don’t have access to a diffuser, you can always take a few deep inhales of the vapors directly from the cypress essential oil bottle.
*Do not use cypress essential oil while pregnant or on young children.*
14. Reduce Stress
Take a warm cypress oil bath or do 30 to 60 minutes of aromatherapy to reduce stress at the end of a long, hard day. You will be amazed at how quickly the stress seems to just melt away. Massaging the 1% to 3% oil into your shoulders and the back of your neck also works wonders. You may want to try rubbing it into your lower back, too. Many of us carry stress and tension there.
15. Improve your Mood
Breathe in the cypress vapors to put you in a better mood. Along with relieving stress and anxiety, cypress essential oil has the ability to naturally lift your spirits and put a bit of pep back in your step. Keep a bottle of cypress essential oil in your desk at work or in your handbag just in case you find yourself in a bad during the day. It’s also great for a pick-me-up to get you over the mid-afternoon slump.
16. Prevent Body Odor
Apply the 1% to 3% cypress oil/carrier oil blend under your arms to help prevent body odor. Its antiseptic and antibacterial properties stop body odor naturally at the source. If you want to fight perspiration as well, mix up your own homemade deodorant/antiperspirant. All it takes is 1/2 cup of coconut oil and baking soda and 10 to 20 drops of cypress essential oil. The cypress is an especially good fragrance for men. Don’t be afraid to mix other essential oils in, too, for your very own one-of-a-kind fragrance. Only use 10 to 20 drops total, though, not 10 to 20 drops each. Cypress mixes nicely with citrus oils, lavender (buy it here), rosemary (buy it here), clary sage (buy it here), frankincense (buy it here), juniper (buy it here), and one of my favorites – sandalwood (buy it here).
17. Improve Overall Skin and Hair Health
Add 1 to 3 drops of cypress essential oil to a teaspoon of your favorite facewash, shampoo or conditioner to improve their overall health and appearance. Its antimicrobial properties will give your hair, scalp and skin a deep, thoroughly cleansing.
Was this list helpful to you? I was pleasantly surprised by all of the remarkable uses for cypress essential oil. The fragrance of this oil is so distinctive. Some people think it smells a bit antiseptic but I think the aroma is crisp, clean, spicy and woodsy, all at the same time. By the way, don’t confuse cypress essential oil with blue cypress essential oil. They are quite different and have very different uses. Blue cypress has some good skin-related uses but not all of the others that regular cypress essential oil has.
Please leave a comment to let me know if you found this list helpful and share your own personal experiences. We can all learn from each other and continue to add to the on-going list of cypress essential oil’s remarkable uses. Be sure to share, too, so that others can become aware of all the uses for this essential oil.
References:
1 Dr. Axe: 8 Surprising Benefits of Cypress Essential Oilhttps://draxe.com/cypress-essential-oil/
2 Organic Facts: 11 Incredible Benefits of Cypress Essential Oilhttps://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/cypress-essential-oil.html
3 Mercola: For Sound Body and Mind, Choose Cypress Oilhttp://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/cypress-oil.aspx
4 Jeanne-Rose Aromatherapy Blog: Cypress and Blue Cypress EOhttp://jeanne-blog.com/cypress-and-blue-cypress-eo/