Latin name: Cupressus Sempervirens.Part of the plant used: needles and twigsSource: Spain.Extraction method: steam distillation.This cypress essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from Italian or Mediterranean cypress. The oil is taken from the needles and twigs of the young branches of these trees made famous by Van Gogh's paintings. Cypress essential oil is known to calm strong emotions such as anger and is therefore useful during major changes in a person's life. It is said to be effective in alleviating all conditions of excess fluid such as heavy menstruation, excessive sweating, coughing, bronchitis, hemorrhages and water retention. This oil soothes muscle cramps, helps regulate the menstrual cycle and relieves arthritis and rheumatic pain. Use this oil in a spray bottle to soothe the mind as well as for any respiratory disorder like asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough. It can be used diluted in a cold compress to stop nosebleeds. Cypress is considered a tree of mourning according to Greek mythology and is often grown in cemeteries for this reason. It is also associated with the god of the underworld, Hades. The Phoenicians and Cretans used the wood from this tree to build boats and houses. The Egyptians made sarcophagi out of it and the Greeks carved statues of their gods out of it. Legend has it that the cross of Jesus Christ was made of this wood, another reason the cypress is linked to death. Ironically, the botanical name for cypress is derived from the Greek "Sempervirens", which means "to live forever".