Description

Evergreen tree growing to 100 ft (30 m). Has tiny dark green leaves, and male and female cones.

Habitat & Cultivation

Native to Turkey and cultivated in the Mediterranean, this herb is gathered in spring.

Parts Used

Cones, branches, essential oil.

Constituents

Cypress contains a volatile oil (with pinene, camphene, and cedrol) and tannins.

History & Folklore

Ancient Greeks took the cones, mashed and steeped in wine, to treat dysentery, the coughing up of blood, asthma, and coughs.

Medicinal Actions & Uses

Applied externally as a lotion or as a diluted essential oil, cypress astringes varicose veins and hemorrhoids, tightening up the blood vessels. A footbath of the cones is used to cleanse the feet and counter excessive sweating. Taken internally, cypress acts as an antispasmodic and general tonic, and is prescribed for whooping cough, the spitting up of blood, and spasmodic coughs. Colds, flu, and sore throats, and rheumatic aches and pains, also benefit from this remedy.

Caution

Do not take the essential oil internally without professional supervision.