Cypress has been revered for millennia as the tree of eternal life, and its characteristic appearance characterizes the landscape of Italy and southern France. In natural medicine, its leaves, wood and fruits have played an important role since ancient times. The essential oil of this tree is not only successfully used against various diseases, but also makes a valuable contribution to mental health.
Occurrence and cultivation of cypress
Since ancient times, it is native to the Mediterranean region and is used as a medicinal plant for various medical purposes. Cypress or Cupressus sempervirens is an evergreen conifer species originally from Asia. It has been native to the Mediterranean region since ancient times and is used as a medicinal plant for various medicinal purposes. In addition to the countries of southern Europe and northern Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia, this conifer is now also native to much of the Americas and central Europe. It requires a mild climate and does not tolerate long periods of frost. The cypress thrives best in full sun locations in sparsely vegetated, open landscapes and in dry, alkaline and firm soils. It reaches growth heights of up to thirty feet and is slender, columnar in shape with a pointed crown. Its dark green and delicate leaves grow cross-opposite and are composed of tiny scales. Inconspicuous yellow flowers appear from March onwards, 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 has a pleasant spicy and balsamic fragrance.
Effect and application
Both the leaves, flowers and cones, as well as the wood of 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 by steam distillation from the young shoots and fruits. Seventy to one hundred kilograms of plant material yields about one liter of essential oil, which is light yellow in color and slightly resinous in texture. 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, cypress oil is mixed in low concentration with a fatty base oil. Babies and children should refrain from using cypress oil to avoid skin irritation and overreaction. All parts of the plants are suitable for making tea infusions, tinctures and homemade ointments. A tea can be easily prepared by pouring freshly brewed water over the fruits, leaves, twigs or wood crushed in a mortar and steep for between ten and fifteen minutes. After straining, the fresh tea should be drunk two to three times a day for acute symptoms. Since 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. For internal use, a homemade tincture is also suitable, by pouring the collected parts of the plant with ethyl alcohol or double grain and pouring it into a well-sealed glass jar. After about six weeks of infusion, the mixture can be strained and decanted into a dark bottle. This tincture should be taken against the corresponding symptoms three times a day in an amount not exceeding fifty drops. If the mixture is considered too spicy, it can be diluted with water. Both in tea and tinctures, cypress essential oil also exerts its healing effects in external applications in the form of compresses, washes, rubs, and sitz and full baths.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Cypress is important in naturopathy mainly because of its antiseptic and expectorant and antispasmodic properties, but also exerts an extremely positive effect on the psyche. The most important uses of cypress include diseases of the upper respiratory tract such as bronchitis, colds and whooping cough. The symptoms are effectively relieved by rubs and full baths, as the active ingredients of the oil dilate the bronchi and allow breathing through.The antibacterial effect specifically fights pathogens. The essential oil of cypress also has a balancing effect on the hormonal balance and is therefore considered one of the most effective natural remedies for female disorders. Hot baths with cypress tea or oil are particularly effective for menstrual and menopausal complaints, cysts on the female reproductive organs, abdominal cramps and diseases of the prostate. Due to the hemostatic effect of cypress, wound healing is accelerated when small injuries are treated selectively with a tincture. Used internally as a tea, cypress has a healing effect on bleeding gums, gastrointestinal disorders and liver and digestive problems. For skin problems and connective tissue weaknesses, external applications with ointments, baths or tinctures show a significant improvement in symptoms. Oily skin and acne can be treated with cypress-based care products just as effectively as cellulite and varicose veins. This is due to the strong astringent effect of the oil, which contributes to the densification of 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-lifting effect on psychological upsets, sadness, absent-mindedness and concentration difficulties. It helps to organize the thoughts and to concentrate on the essentials. People who are mourning the loss of a loved one benefit from its comforting effect. In aromatherapy, the oil of cypress 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.
