• Cypress
  • Cypress
  • Cypress
  • Cypress

Cypress

  • Scientific Name
    Cupressus sempervirens
  • Family
    Cupressaceae
  • Origin
    France , Morrocoetc.

CONTENTS

Plant description

Cypress is a tall evergreen tree belonging to the Cupressaceae family, reaching heights of 20 to 30 meters. Its scientific name, “Sempervirens,” is derived from its impressive lifespan, which can extend to 50 to 60 years or more, earning it the species subname Sempervirens, meaning “eternal life.” Cypress holds cultural significance and is often found in temples, churches, and cemeteries in Greece and Rome, where it is regarded as the gateway to the “other world” in the folklore of various countries. Furthermore, it has been cultivated as a barrier against rain and wind in South America and has been an integral part of people’s lives for centuries.

Essential oil composition

Cypress

  • Cypress

  • INCI
    Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Nut/Stem Oil
  • Parts of Plant Used
    Leaf / Fruit / Stem
  • Extraction Method
    Steam Distillation
  • Extraction Rate
    0.5 - 1.2％
  • Notes
    Middle
  • Aroma Family
    Woody

Cypress Essential Oil Properties & Uses

Around 0.5% to 1.2% of Cypress essential oil is obtained through steam distillation from its leaves and fruits. It presents as colorless to pale yellow and primarily contains alpha-pinene, beta-caryophyllene, and sabinene as its key constituents. This essential oil emits a refreshing, green, slightly acidic, and subtly woody aroma that evokes the sensation of being in a fresh, serene forest, creating a pleasant and uplifting feeling. It pairs excellently with invigorating scents like Grapefruit and Lemon, as well as deep and sweet fragrances like Sandalwood, Frankincense, and Lavender. Given its moderate strength, it is advisable to begin with a slightly larger quantity when blending and then adjust for balance as needed.

Essential oil composition

Essential oil composition

※An example of one batch production is shown here.

  • α-Pinene　48.62%
  • δ-3-Carene　24.67%
  • Terpinolene　2.76%
  • Limonene　2.75%
  • Myrcene　2.46%
  • Terpinyl acetate　1.91%
  • Terpinen-4-ol　1.39%
  • β-Pinene　1.11%

Functions and Efficacies

α-Pinene

α-Pinene
  • IUPAC Name
    (+)-α-Pinene: (1R,5R)-2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene
    (-)-α-Pinene: (1S,5S)-2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene
  • Molecular Formula
    C10H16
  • Molecular Weight
    136.23 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    (+)-α-Pinene: 7785-70-8
    (-)-α-Pinene: 7785-26-4
  • Structure
    Bicyclic monoterpene

Functions and Efficacies of α-Pinene

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Stress Reduction ○
Anti-bacterial Effects ○
Anti-inflammatory Effects ○

Stress Reduction

A study reported that brain tumors in mice that inhaled the fragrance of α-pinene became smaller. However, no melanoma cell growth was observed with the addition of α-pinene, indicating a potential psychological effect .1)

Anti-bacterial Effects

A study reported that α-pinene had an inhibitory effect on the growth of blue staining fungi, both when exposed to gas and when added to the culture medium2)

Anti-inflammatory Effects

It is known that the addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW264.7 cells induces the production of nitric oxide (NO), a substance that causes inflammation. A study reported that the production of NO was suppressed by the addition of α-pinene.3)

  • 1)Kusuhara et al., Biomedical Research, 2012
  • 2)岡村、木材保存、
  • 3)Kwak et al., Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 2019

Limonene

Limonene
  • IUPAC Name
    1-methyl-4-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohexene
  • Molecular Formula
    C10H16
  • Molecular Weight
    136.23 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    138-86-3
  • Structure
    Monocyclic monoterpene

Functions and Efficacies of Limonene

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Stress Reduction ○
Memory Improvement ○ ○
Anti-cancer Effects ○ ○ ○

Stress Reduction

A study reported that mice subjected to cold stress at 4°C (41°F) exhibited reduced elevations in blood corticosterone levels when treated with limonene. Furthermore, the same report demonstrated that limonene effectively lowered corticosterone levels in the blood of mice exposed to both physical and mental stress.1)

Memory Improvement

A study reported that when acetylcholinesterase reacts with acetylthiocholine in phosphate-buffered saline, the introduction of limonene inhibits the degradation by acetylcholinesterase. Acetylcholinesterase plays a role in the breakdown of acetylcholine, a hormone associated with memory and learning. In the same report, it was also noted that limonene suppressed memory impairment induced by scopolamine administration in rats.2)

Anti-cancer Effects

A report indicated that the consumption of limonene by breast cancer patients resulted in reduced expression of Cyclin D1, a protein crucial for cell division, within tumors.3)Furthermore, numerous other studies have also documented the anticancer properties of limonene.4)5)

  • 1)Fukumoto et al., Stress and Health, 2008
  • 2)Zhou et al., Nutritional Neuroscience,, 2013
  • 3)Miller et al., Cancer Prevntion Research, 2013
  • 4)Ajikumaran Nair S et al., Phytomedicine, 2018
  • 5)Chaudhary et al., Human & Experimental Toxicology, 2012

IFRA

Cypress：
No restrictions applied

※Only information for selected components are shown here.

References
Jennie Harding [Handbook of Essential Oil and Plant Oil] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2010.
Shinichiro Otsuki/Yukiko Ozaki [Scientific Name Etymology Dictionary of Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2009.
Jennie Harding [Illustrated Reference Book of Herbs] Sancho Publishing, 2012.
Freddy Ghozland/Xavier Fernandez [L’Herbier Parfume] Hara Publishing, 2013.
Kyohei Mikami [Comprehensive Guide to Essential Oils] Fragrance Journal, 2010.
Yuzuru Ogura [Dictionary of Plants] Tokyo-do Publishing, 1957.
Nobuo Ohashi [Dictionary of Medical Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2016.
Wanda Sellar [The directory of essential oils] Fragrance Journal, 1992.
Aroma Environment Association of Japan [AEAJ Aromatherapy Certification Official Textbook grade1&2] Sekaibunka, 1999.
Robert Tissearand [Essential Oil Safety] Fragrance Journal, 2018.
Ayako Berg [Aromatherapy Essential Oil Dictionary] Seibido Shuppan, 2022.
Azusa Annells [Enjoying Fragrance: An Illustrated Book of Aromas with Characteristics]Natsumesha CO.,LTD., 2023
(All written in or translated to Japanese.)
Supervisor
Yamamoto Perfumery co., ltd.

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