AUSTRALIAN BLUE CYPRESS, THE ABORIGINAL SKIN CARE SECRET

aboriginal health

Blue cypress (Callitris intratropica) is in the cypress family of essential oils. It is a slow-growing native Australian cypress tree, exclusive to tropical Australia. We get this oil through steam distillation of the leaves and wood of the tree. Once a blue cypress tree has been harvested it does not re-grow.

This compact tree with blue-green foliage grows in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland, where it is widespread in coastal and inland areas in zones of higher rainfall. At maturity, the tree reaches heights of 80 feet, its branches spreading to 30 feet at the base. The male cones grow in clusters of three, about 1cm long. The rounded female cones grow to 1.5cm across. Traditionally the Australian Aborigines knew of the amazing skin moisturizing properties of Blue Cypress for thousands of years; they used it to protect their skin from the harsh desert climate. In aromatherapy circles, the oil is sometimes referred to as the “ABC” essential oil – “Australian Blue Cypress”. more…