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Cypress

Bách

Cupressus sempervirens

Italian cypress, Mediterranean cypress

Cupressaceae · Lá và cành tận cùng · Leaves and terminal branches · Steam-distilled

Botanical illustration of Cupressus sempervirens; leaves and terminal branches used to extract Cypress essential oil
Cypress essential oil, extracted from the leaves and terminal branches of Cupressus sempervirens. Botanical illustration, Lê Mai Library.

Safety

Skin sensitization if oxidized

Oxidation products of α-pinene and δ-3-carene may sensitize skin.

Store in dark, sealed, refrigerated container. Add an antioxidant to formulations.

No significant irritation at 5 percent test level. Non-phototoxic.

A 65-year-old aromatherapist with multiple essential oil sensitivities reacted to 5 percent cypress oil and weakly to 1 percent.

Likely not hazardous in pregnancy based on α-pinene, β-myrcene and (+)-limonene data.


Usage guidelines

Storage
Dark, sealed, refrigerated; add antioxidant
Phototoxic Photosensitivity
No

Chemistry

Volatile constituents
α-Pinene20.4 – 52.7 %
δ-3-Carene15.2 – 21.5 %
Cedrol2.0 – 7.0 %
α-Terpinyl acetate4.1 – 6.4 %
Terpinolene2.4 – 6.3 %
(+)-Limonene2.3 – 6.0 %
β-Pinene0.8 – 2.9 %
Sabinene0.7 – 2.8 %
β-Myrcene0 – 2.7 %
δ-Cadinene1.7 – 2.6 %
Terpinen-4-yl-acetate1.2 – 2.1 %
α-Terpineol1.2 – 1.4 %
p-Cymene0.2 – 1.2 %
γ-Terpinene0.4 – 1.1 %

Botanical source

Cupressus sempervirens is the tall, columnar cypress of the Mediterranean, the iconic form of the Tuscan countryside. The oil is mainly distilled in France and Spain.

Family Cupressaceae. Same family as juniper and Texan/Virginian cedarwoods.

In Greek and Roman traditional medicine, cypress was used for circulatory disorders, a use still reflected in contemporary aromatherapy.


Quality

May be adulterated by addition of α-pinene, δ-3-carene and β-myrcene.