Scent Almanac
Cypress
Cupressus sempervirens
Fresh, dry and green-woody with a slightly smoky, spicy-resinous edge; less sweet than fir and less sharp than pine.
- Made from
- Steam-distilled from the needle-like leaves and twigs of the Mediterranean cypress.
- Strength
- ●●●○○
- Cost
- Moderate
- Moods
- RefreshingGroundingFocusing
- Seasons
- Autumn, Winter, Spring
- Rooms
- Bathroom, Entryway, Office
Cautions
- Oxidizes with age — old oil is more likely to sensitize; store cool and dark
- Caution around pets (especially cats and birds) — don't diffuse in their space
Like other conifer oils it oxidizes with age; store cool and dark. Keep diffusing away from cats.
How it behaves
CandlesGood
Pleasant but light in hot wax — use it in a blend with a heavier wood.
Wax meltsGood
Reed diffuserGreat
Room & linen sprayGreat
Electric (water) diffuserGreat
Cold-process soapGood
Behaves well; its fresh top fades somewhat during cure, so pair with a base note.
Melt-and-pour soapGood
Laundry & cleaningGood
Pairs well with
Juniper Berry
Middle · Woody
Essential oil
Atlas Cedarwood
Base · Woody
Essential oil
Lavender
Middle · Floral
Essential oil
Bergamot
Top · Citrus
Essential oil
Clary Sage
Middle · Herbal
Essential oil
Frankincense
Base · Resinous & amber
Essential oil
Lemon
Top · Citrus
Essential oil
Sandalwood
Base · Woody
Essential oil
Grapefruit
Top · Citrus
Essential oil
Hinoki
Base · Woody
Essential oil
Don't have it? Try Juniper Berry, Fir Needle, Hinoki.
In these blends
Deep Work
A clear head and a closed door: bright lemon over focused herbs.
Rosemary · Lemon · Virginian Cedarwood · Cypress · Peppermint
FocusingEnergizingAutumnWinterSpring
Forest Bathing
A slow walk under firs after rain, bark and needles underfoot.
Fir Needle · Atlas Cedarwood · Bergamot · Cypress · Grapefruit · Vetiver
GroundingRefreshingAutumnWinter
Teak & Tide
A wooden sailboat deck, salt on the rails and grapefruit in the cooler.
Cypress · Teakwood · Sea Salt · Lavender · Grapefruit · Vetiver
RefreshingGroundingSummerAutumn
Mahogany Study
A polished wooden desk, a spiced tea and a long evening of reading.
Mahogany · Bergamot · Cypress · Cardamom · Black Pepper · Nutmeg
FocusingGroundingAutumnWinter
A little lore
Tall, columnar Mediterranean cypresses are a signature of the Tuscan landscape and have long been planted in cemeteries around the Mediterranean.