CYPRESS

Description

Tree up to 30 m high; conic pyramid-shaped crown; reddish-grey bark. Perennial, squamiform dark green leaves about 0.5-1 mm long, densely imbricated covering the branches. Cypress has male and female flowers, produced on the same tree; male flowers form small ovoid or elongated aments; the female ones are round and flaked (up to 12 flakes) and when mature form a polyhedral, greenish-brown globose galbulus that resemble a polygonal-head nail, corky and woody. Flattened seeds with winged edges.

Its wood can be yellow or reddish, fine and close in grain, very durable and resinously fragrant, resistant to proliferation.

Distribution and ecology: Originated in eastern Europe and western Asia; it’s cultivated for ornamental purposes.

Part used

Mature galbulus (female cones); occasionally leaves and tender sprouts.

Indications

> Vein disorders: varicose veins, hemorrhoids, phlebitis, thrombophlebitis.
> Metrorrhagia and menopause symptoms.
> Diarrhea.
> Pharyngitis, bronchitis, spasmodic cough.
> Enuresis.
> Topical use: wounds, varicose ulcers (galbulus). The young sprouts are applied in fresh over warts to favor its elimination (essential oils). Essential oil is used in osteoarticular inflammation.

Bibliography