Do you know what cypress is? You may have heard of its essential oil being used for various treatments, but did you know that the tree itself is beneficial, too? Yes, you read that right. Cypress is very valuable. In fact, it can speed up the rate at which wounds heal, reduce inflammation, protect against various skin conditions, boost hair health, prevent fungal infections, boost the immune system and improve respiratory health, among other things. There’s more to cypress than meets the eye, so if you want to learn more, keep reading!
What is Cypress?
Even though cypress isn’t usually thought of as a spice or herb, this valuable tree’s plant serves more of a purpose than most health publications discuss. There are two particular parts of the tree that offer medicinal benefits: the needles and the cones.
Cypress is part of the Cupressaceae plant family, which is comprised of a wide array of trees native to various parts of the world. Some of the more well-known of these trees is the coastal redwood and giant sequoia. The essential oil that comes from the needles is very well-known and important, but concoctions can also be made from the needles and cones to treat various health issues.
Health Benefits of Cypress
Here are the top health benefits of cypress:
Helps treat varicose veins.
It’s not entirely understood how this works, but cypress concoctions have been used for several years to treat varicose veins. Traditional medicine supports this use, although modern medicine has not yet verified its effectiveness.
Helps reduce inflammation.
If you eat cypress as a tea or apply it topically, it can help reduce inflammation both externally and internally. Furthermore, if you’re suffering from gout, arthritis, hemorrhoids or some other inflammatory condition, it can help relieve the pain and discomfort you feel. Cyprus can also soothe any organs that may become inflamed due to infection or a nutrient deficiency.
Helps treat various skin conditions.
Acne is a skin condition affecting millions of people all over the world. Over the centuries, we have come to rely on traditional remedies for it. You can make a salve out of a carrier oil and cypress needles to prevent bacterial infections such as those that cause acne. This will reduce the pain and swelling of the sebum glands and speed up healing to reduce the appearance of blemishes and scars on the skin.
Aids in hair health.
If you apply a cypress decoction to your scalp, you can stimulate healthier follicle glands and beds. This results in richer, stronger hair, which is less prone to damage and maintains its rich luster. Furthermore, it may also help reduce dandruff by preventing the skin from drying out.
Helps treat respiratory conditions.
can be used as an essential oil in aromatherapy to treat respiratory conditions. Even cypress-based tea can help relieve chronic congestion, nasal drops, bronchitis, asthma and other respiratory systems that cause inflammation. However, be sure to consume it in moderation, as excess amounts are not healthy.
Cautions for Consuming Cypress
While cypress contains no known allergens, its essential oil should never be consumed. It is a powerful mix of chemicals that can cause serious medical complications.
