Cypress is an evergreen coniferous tree that belongs to the Cypress family. Medicines prepared on the basis of its leaves, shoots and fruits are widely used in folk medicine and have an undeniable therapeutic effect. The beneficial properties of this tree and methods for preparing medicines have been known since ancient times and are described below.

Cypress Composition

The composition of cypress largely depends on some factors - for example, on the time of cutting of raw materials and processing conditions.

Needles, shoots and cones contain the following components:

• terpene alcohol;
• camphene;
• terpene;
• terpineol;
• sabinol;
• cymol;
• pinen.

Beneficial features

The healing properties of cypress are due to its chemical composition, whose elements have a beneficial effect on human health.

• The components with which the needles and cones are saturated have the following effect on the body:
• anti-inflammatory;
• antiseptic;
• blood-forming;
• soothing;
• vasoconstrictor;
• deodorizing;
• astringent.

• In addition, the benefits of preparations made on the basis of cypress raw materials are:
• memory improvement;
• elimination of hepatic, gastric and renal colic;
• weight loss;
• normalization of the hormonal background.

Application in traditional medicine

In folk medicine, cones and branches of cypress, as well as its needles, are used.The resin contained in the needles is used to treat diseases of the respiratory system (bronchitis, colds, flu, asthma). It is also effective for cramping of the gastrointestinal tract, eliminates an attack of hiccups. The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of cypress resins contribute to the healing of wounds and ulcers.

Did you know? In ancient China, Taoist magicians used tar and cypress grains to make potions, which were then thought to be able to extend life.

Indications for use of the essential oils contained in the resin:

• hematomas;
• varicose veins;
• hemorrhoids;
• gum bleeding;
• gynecological diseases.

Cypress ester is also used as an inhalation for the treatment of colds. Massage using oil allows you to narrow the walls of blood vessels. It is added to the baths to normalize the metabolism in the body. Ripe cones are useful for eliminating excessive sweating in the legs, as well as for varicose veins, gout, hemorrhoids and stomatitis.

Collection and harvesting of raw materials

Raw materials for the preparation of medicines can be collected in the places where cypress grows - this is the Black Sea coast of Crimea and the Caucasus, the coniferous forests of Transcarpathia.For medicinal purposes, it is necessary to collect young branches and needles. But it is advisable to harvest cones that are already ripe. The needles of a young tree are needle-shaped, while in an older one they look like scales of pale green color with a bluish tint. In length, it reaches about 2 mm.

Cones are fruits with a diameter of 3 cm, covered with wood plates, on the bottom of which seeds are located. Cones ripen within two years. To harvest raw materials, it is necessary to separate the needles from the branches, preserving both needles and shoots. Cones should be crushed so that the plates are separated from the fetus. To do this, you can squeeze them in the palm of your hand and twist them.

Methods of preparation and use

The collected and prepared raw materials can be used for the preparation of various therapeutic agents. The dosage form depends on the purpose of the drug. Next, you should consider in detail the methods of preparation and use of cypress drugs.

Forms of manufacture:

• decoction;
• infusion;
• tincture;
• essential oil;
• fruit jam.

Decoction

A decoction of cones and young shoots of cypress is used as enemas for washing the intestines. Also, the broth is effective in the complex treatment of gynecological diseases. In this case, it is used for douching. With varicose veins, it is recommended to make baths.

The method of preparation of the broth:

1. Grind green cones and shoots.
2. Pour 200 ml of hot boiled water 1 tbsp. l mixtures.
3. Allow to cool until cool.
4. Strain.

Important! The use of any drugs must be agreed with the attending physician.

Infusion

The infusion of ripe cones can rinse your legs with excessive sweating and the oral cavity with stomatitis. WITHResins contained in cones have a pronounced antimicrobial property, which allows you to destroy up to 50% of harmful microorganisms that cause the appearance of unpleasant foot odors and inflammatory processes in the oral cavity. Rinse the mouth and throat three times a day, and the foot baths do once a day, in the evening.

Cooking method:

1. Pounded fruits (1 tbsp. L.) Placed in an enamel bowl, pour 200 ml of hot water (boiling water).
2. Close the lid and insist on a water bath for 30 minutes.
3. Then strain immediately. Squeeze the remainder into strained infusion.
4. Add hot boiled water to the resulting infusion, so that the total volume is 200 ml.
5. Shake well before use.

Tincture

Cypress tincture is used to eliminate uterine bleeding and hemoptysis. Urinary incontinence is also recommended.

You can cook it from unripe cones:

1. A tablespoon of pre-ground raw materials must be supplemented with 200 ml of ethanol (96%).
2. Then insist everything for 10 days.

For complex treatment of uterine bleeding, as well as hemoptysis, take 30-60 drops twice a day before meals. If the urogenital system is impaired (urinary incontinence), 15-30 drops should be taken twice a day before meals.

Essential oil

Cypress essential oil is obtained by steam distillation from cones, needles and branches. To get 100 ml of oil, you need to process about 100 kg of raw material. Cypress oil is part of the candles and gels designed to treat hemorrhoids. The oil content in such preparations is 2-3%.

To prevent the development of harmful microorganisms such as staphylococcus aureus and tubercle bacillus, oil is taken 2–4 drops three times a day. The same method of application is recommended for cramping in the digestive tract, as well as for colic in the liver and kidneys. 3-5 drops of oil can be dripped into the ears with whooping cough - for 4-5 days.

Cone jam

The rich content of vitamins makes cypress fruits a unique tool for the prevention of colds. Cooking made from green cones will help increase immunity and improve health in anticipation of the winter period.

Important! Syrup must be constantly stirred so that it does not burn.

Cooking method:

1. Make sugar syrup. Pour 1 kg of sugar into a saucepan, pour 1 liter of water and cook over high heat until sugar is completely dissolved.
2. Prepare the fruits. For jam, you need to choose resinous green cones. They need to be washed well, cleaned of adhering needles, remove the stalks. Then soak in cold water for 2-3 hours to get rid of small specks and insects living between the scales.
3. Pour the cones into syrup and cook for 2 hours over low heat. In this case, it is necessary to remove the resulting foam from time to time.
4. Spread gauze and spread spices on it: star anise (1 inflorescence), cloves (2 pcs.), Cardamom (5-6 pcs.). Form a pouch and tie it tightly.
5. After two hours, dip the bag of spices into the jam for 10 minutes.
6. After 10 minutes, turn off the fire and remove the bag.

Vitamin jam is not only useful, but also incredibly tasty as well as fragrant. It is recommended to store it in glassware away from sunlight in a cool room.

Application in cosmetology

In cosmetology, essential cypress oil is used. They are enriched with cosmetics for skin, hair, and nails care. Thanks to antiseptic and deodorizing properties, the oil promotes eliminate skin irritation and acne. The use of a product for facial skin care helps to get rid of oily sheen.

The enrichment of shampoos with an oil means prevents brittleness and dryness of the hair, restoring its natural shine and silkiness. The use of masks based on oil mixtures helps to strengthen the nail plate and give the nails a healthy well-groomed look. The following are recipes for making masks and cosmetics with the addition of cypress oil.

For skin

For facial skin care, you can add 3-4 drops of the product to the finished cream and, as usual, apply it to clean skin in the morning and evening.Steam baths help deeply cleanse pores, ridding the skin of impurities. Also, the procedure is effective in combating acne. To prepare such an inhalation, it is necessary to boil 1 liter of water and add 3-4 drops of cypress and juniper oil.

Then you need to tilt your face over the container from which the fragrant steam comes out, cover yourself with a towel with your head and wait 5-7 minutes in this position. After the procedure, you can wash yourself with cold water and apply a moisturizer.

For hair

You can prepare homemade hair care product by adding cypress oil to the shampoo. There are 10 drops of ether per 200 g of cosmetic product. Then you need to apply shampoo on your hair, foam and rinse with plenty of water.

You can also prepare enriching hair masks:

1. It is necessary to mix burdock and cypress oil in a ratio of 20: 5.
2. The mixture should be heated with a water bath.
3. Then distribute it along the entire length of the hair and rub it into the scalp.
4. After 20 minutes, wash your hair with shampoo and rinse with water with the addition of vinegar (1 tablespoon) or lemon juice (2-3 drops).

For nails

To make a nourishing mask for nails, you need:

1. Mix 20 drops of castor and 5 drops of cypress oil.
2. Apply to the nail plate, then rub into the skin around the nails.
3. After 15-20 minutes, remove the mask with a paper towel.
4. Repeat the procedure every two days.

You can also enrich the cream for hand skin care with cypress ester. To do this, add 2-3 drops of the product in 50 g of cosmetic product. It is recommended to use it in the evening, before going to bed.

Contraindications

The use of drugs based on cypress is contraindicated in oncological diseases, as well as in mastopathy and thrombophlebitis. Their use during pregnancy and lactation is prohibited. It is unacceptable to use after a heart attack and stroke. Contraindications also include increased blood coagulation. In addition, there are age restrictions: the drug is allowed for use only from the age of seven.

Cypress is widely used in folk medicine for the treatment and prevention of various diseases. However, it is important to consider that medicines based on it have contraindications. Also, the products from this plant are used in cosmetology to care for skin, hair and nails.