Botanical Characteristics:
The Italian cypress is a tall conifer with a narrow, columnar growth habit. It reaches 40-60 ft. tall with a spread of 10 ft. or less. The leaves are gray-green scales. It is hardy to 10 °F. It is native to Europe and Asia but now widely distributed throughout the world. The Italian cypress is a tall conifer with a narrow, columnar growth habit. The branches grow upright and are brown to gray in color. The cone is similar to other cypress in that it is a small, oval, and berry-like, ½ to 1 in. wide, dry and somewhat hard and brown in color.
Medicinal Value:
The essential oil exhibits antimicrobial activity. The dried leaves have traditionally been used in the treatment of stomach pain and diabetes as well as the dried fruit is used to treat inflammation, toothache, and laryngitis. The dried fruit is also used as a contraceptive and astringent. The dried seeds have been used to treat wounds, ulcers, bruises, sores, pimpkes, skin eruptions, and erysipelas. The essential oil from the leaves and cones is used externally for headache, colds, cough, and bronchitis. Research has discovered potent antileishmanial and antimicrobial chemicals from cone (fruit) ethanol extracts ("Antimicrobial and antiparasitic abietane diterpenoids from Cupressus sempervirens").