Hinoki
Chamaecyparis Obtusa
Hinoki Oil has a fresh and tangy scent and is used commercially in personal care and hygiene products due to this. It works well to refresh a room, and is great if you're looking for an essential oil that will enable you to scent your home and linen.
History of Hinoki Oil
Hinoki Oil is obtained from the hinoki tree (botanical name: Chamaecyparis obtusa) through steam distillation. Hinoki is a conifer native to central and southern Japan. It’s also known as the Japanese cypress, which is why Hinoki Oil is sometimes referred to as Japanese Cypress Oil and Hinoki Cypress Oil.
Due to its impressive durability, the wood of the hinoki tree has been used to build temples and shrines across Japan for centuries. Well-built hinoki structures can last a thousand years or more. The pagoda of the oldest wooden building in the world - Horyuji Temple in Nara, Japan - was built about 600 AD and it still stands strong. Unsurprisingly, the wood of the hinoki tree is used in today’s timber industry as well. Thanks to its fresh, lemony scent, hinoki wood is also used in traditional Japanese incense making.
Hinoki Wood Oil is a popular air purifier in Japan. The Japanese also use it in baths due to its relaxing aroma. Since hinoki trees are deeply revered in Japan, Hinoki Oil is mostly derived from trees cut as part of the forest thinning and management of sustainably grown plantation trees as well as from timber offcuts from the building industry. Old growth trees are protected.
Why should I give Hinoki Oil a try?
This Japanese grown essential oil is highly valued for its unique fragrance as well as its shinrin-yoku effects. Shinrin-yoku means bathing in the forest atmosphere or taking in the forest through the senses. In other words, Hinoki Oil can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. However, Hinoki Oil’s sweet and woody aroma can also energise and uplift the mind.
Hinoki Oil boasts antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties, meaning it can be helpful in healing minor cuts, scrapes, and wounds. These qualities also make it a great addition to massage blends and skincare products. Hinoki Oil’s ability to inhibit bacterial growth and prevent body odour is the main reason why it’s such a powerful ingredient in DIY natural deodorants.
It’s reported that Hinoki Oil can help relieve chest congestion and clear stuffy sinuses. It can also assist with respiratory infections caused by bacterial overgrowth. Additionally, Hinoki Oil might alleviate muscular pain, reduce inflammation, and even promote hair growth. No wonder it’s become a popular addition to commercial hair products.
Extracting Hinoki Oil
Hinoki Oil is steam-distilled from the hinoki tree (botanical name: Chamaecyparis obtusa). This essential oil is usually obtained from the wood of the tree, but it can also come from the tree’s root and needles. To learn more about the three types of Hinoki Oil, please read our ‘Hinoki Oil Varieties’ article.
Steam distillation is one of the most popular methods for extracting and isolating essential oils from plants. This process happens when dry steam is passed through the plant material. The steam vaporises the plant material’s volatile compounds, which eventually go through a condensation and collection process. One of the most significant advantages of steam distillation is that it generates organic solvent-free products.
Hinoki Oil possesses a sweet and woody scent. This oil’s consistency is medium, the intensity of its initial aroma is moderate, and its colour is clear to pale yellow. Hinoki Oil is categorised as a middle note, which means it can bridge top and base notes in blends.
The major chemical constituents of Hinoki Wood Oil are: a-Cadinol, T-Muurolol, Gamma-Cadinene, Omega-Cadinene, T-Cadinol, Cadin-1(10)-en-4,B-ol, a-Muurolene, and B-Caryophyllene Alcohol. Hinoki Oil has many therapeutic properties, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, relaxant, and sedative.
Can I make Hinoki Oil at home?
Technically, yes. However, you’ll need to invest in steam distillation equipment and do the necessary research on the whole process. This can be a time-consuming adventure for some of you. In case spending money on brand new essential oil-extracting equipment isn’t an option for you, you might succeed using a large pot with a lid, distilled water, and, of course, fresh plant material to fill the pot about half full. Please keep in mind that the quality of your product might not be as good as the one of its commercial counterparts. If you don’t want to risk it, we advise you to look for 100% Pure Hinoki Oil online.
Have you ever used Hinoki Oil? Have you ever tried to make it in the comfort of your home? We would love to read your stories, so feel free to share them with us!
Hinoki Oil possesses a sweet and woody scent. This oil’s consistency is medium, the intensity of its initial aroma is moderate, and its colour is clear to pale yellow. Hinoki Oil is categorised as a middle note, which means it can bridge top and base notes in blends.
The major chemical constituents of Hinoki Wood Oil are: a-Cadinol, T-Muurolol, Gamma-Cadinene, Omega-Cadinene, T-Cadinol, Cadin-1(10)-en-4,B-ol, a-Muurolene, and B-Caryophyllene Alcohol. Hinoki Oil has many therapeutic properties, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, relaxant, and sedative.
Can I make Hinoki Oil at home?
Technically, yes. However, you’ll need to invest in steam distillation equipment and do the necessary research on the whole process. This can be a time-consuming adventure for some of you. In case spending money on brand new essential oil-extracting equipment isn’t an option for you, you might succeed using a large pot with a lid, distilled water, and, of course, fresh plant material to fill the pot about half full. Please keep in mind that the quality of your product might not be as good as the one of its commercial counterparts. If you don’t want to risk it, we advise you to look for 100% Pure Hinoki Oil online.
Have you ever used Hinoki Oil? Have you ever tried to make it in the comfort of your home? We would love to read your stories, so feel free to share them with us!
Hinoki Oil Varieties
Hinoki Oil Varieties
As the name suggests, Hinoki Oil is derived from the hinoki tree. Typically, this Japanese native essential oil is steam-distilled from the wood of the hinoki tree. However, Hinoki Oil can also be found as a root as well as needle (leaf) oil. The chemical composition and actions vary depending on which part of the tree the essential oil comes from. Let’s take a close look at the chemistry of each Hinoki Oil type.
- The major chemical constituents of Hinoki Wood Oil are: a-Cadinol, T-Muurolol, Gamma-Cadinene, Omega-Cadinene, T-Cadinol, Cadin-1(10)-en-4,B-ol, a-Muurolene, and B-Caryophyllene Alcoho
- The main chemical constituents of Hinoki Root Oil are: Longi-a-nojigiku Alcohol, a-Terpinyl Acetate, Longi-B-camphenilan Aldehyde, T-Cadinol, a-Cadinol, Cadin-1(10)-en-4,B-ol, Longicyclenyl Alcohol, T-Muurolol, Delta-Cadinene, a-Terpineol, B-Caryophyllene Alcohol, Verbenone, Longiisohomocamphenilone, and Gamma-Cadinene.
- The major chemical constituents of Hinoki Needle (Leaf) Oil are: Elemol, a-Terpinyl Acetate, Gamma-Eudesmol, Bornyl Acetate, B-Eudesmol, Gamma-Muurolene, a-Eudesmol, B-Cedrene, a-Muurolene, (+)-Limonene, Delta-Cadinene, B-Pinene, and a-Fenchol.
Hinoki Oil possesses a fresh, woody, and sweet aroma, but it varies between the three types.
Which Hinoki Oil variety to opt for and how to shop smart?
The most commonly used variety of Hinoki Oil is the wood one. This may be so because the majority of Hinoki Oil is obtained from trees cut as part of the forest thinning and management of sustainably grown plantation trees as well as from timber offcuts from the building industry. In addition to this, a significant number of scientific studies have been conducted for Hinoki Wood Oil, which is why we believe it’s the smartest choice.
To fully experience the unique beauty of Hinoki Oil, we strongly advise you to purchase 100% Pure Hinoki Oil sourced from Japan. When shopping online, make sure the product you decide on isn’t an adulterated version of the oil or a blend (unless, of course, you’re looking for a specific combo). To be completely sure you’re buying Hinoki Oil, look for its botanical name on the label - Chamaecyparis obtusa. Please be careful not to confuse Hinoki Oil with Taiwan
Hinoki Oil. Taiwan Hinoki Oil is steam-distilled from the twigs and wood of Chamaecyparis formosensis - a revered coniferous tree native to Taiwan. Steer clear of suppliers that don’t provide the botanical names of their products.
Have you ever had the opportunity to use Hinoki Oil? Is it a part of your collection? Would you recommend it to the rest of the Essentially Yours community? As always, you’re welcome to start a conversation with us!
Hinoki Oil possesses a fresh, woody, and sweet aroma, but it varies between the three types.
Which Hinoki Oil variety to opt for and how to shop smart?
The most commonly used variety of Hinoki Oil is the wood one. This may be so because the majority of Hinoki Oil is obtained from trees cut as part of the forest thinning and management of sustainably grown plantation trees as well as from timber offcuts from the building industry. In addition to this, a significant number of scientific studies have been conducted for Hinoki Wood Oil, which is why we believe it’s the smartest choice.
To fully experience the unique beauty of Hinoki Oil, we strongly advise you to purchase 100% Pure Hinoki Oil sourced from Japan. When shopping online, make sure the product you decide on isn’t an adulterated version of the oil or a blend (unless, of course, you’re looking for a specific combo). To be completely sure you’re buying Hinoki Oil, look for its botanical name on the label - Chamaecyparis obtusa.
Have you ever had the opportunity to use Hinoki Oil? Is it a part of your collection? Would you recommend it to the rest of the Essentially Yours community? As always, you’re welcome to start a conversation with us!
Benefits of Hinoki Oil
At Essentially Yours, we pride ourselves on doing the necessary research to enrich our understanding of aromatherapy and essential oils in general. This enables us to help you choose the best oils, blends, and methods of application for your wants and needs. We firmly believe that familiarising you with our products, the numerous benefits they offer, and the adverse side effects that occur when they aren’t properly used is the least we can do, hence these blog posts. In this particular blog, we are going to dive into some of the many impressive benefits of Hinoki Oil.
Hinoki Oil is a Japanese native essential oil that can:
Promote wound healing and skin health
Thanks to its antiseptic and antimicrobial qualities, Hinoki Oil can be helpful in healing small cuts, scrapes, and wounds. Additionally, Hinoki Oil’s antibacterial and antifungal properties make it a wonderful addition to skincare products formulated to treat pimples, sores, and skin rashes.
Improve respiratory health
It’s reported that Hinoki Oil can be effective in clearing stuffy sinuses, relieving chest congestion, and treating asthma. This conifer essential oil can also assist with respiratory infections caused by bacterial overgrowth. If you’ve been looking for winter-friendly oils, Hinoki Oil should definitely be high on your to-consider list.
Alleviate muscular pain
Hinoki Oil can relieve pain in muscles by increasing blood circulation and reducing inflammation. It’s a great choice for muscle spasms, leg cramps, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Deter insects
Hinoki Oil is commonly used in Japan as a natural insect repellent. Its ability to deter bugs as well as its pleasant, woody aroma make it an amazing ingredient in DIY air fresheners/body sprays.
Encourage hair growth
Believe it or not, Hinoki Oil promotes early stage hair growth, which is precisely why it’s often included in commercial products developed for improving hair and scalp health.
Reduce feelings of stress and anxiety
When diffused, Hinoki Oil can create a relaxing ambiance and promote a sense of spiritual tranquility. Research has shown that inhalation of Hinoki Oil can produce the same physiological effect linked with the practice of shinrin-yoku. Shinrin-yoku means bathing in the forest atmosphere or taking in the forest through the senses. One study confirmed that inhaling Hinoki Oil can result in decreased blood pressure and heart rate.
When it comes to using Hinoki Oil, experts say that there are no known hazards or contraindications. This applies to all three Hinoki Oil varieties - wood, root, and needle. Just like any other pure essential oil, Hinoki Oil shouldn’t be taken internally nor applied undiluted onto the skin. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or any other health problem, please consult with your doctor and/or a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using this or any other essential oil.
Uses of Hinoki Oil
We, the Essentially Yours team, take immense pleasure in learning and sharing our knowledge, tips, and tricks to help you deepen your understanding of aromatherapy and essential oils in general. Whether you are thinking about adding a certain oil or blend to your collection and want to learn its dos and don’ts or you are simply curious about the various methods of oil application - we’ve got you covered. In this blog post, we are going to explore some of the most popular ways of using Hinoki Oil - a conifer essential oil we are proud to offer.
Hinoki Oil’s beauty can be experienced in a myriad of ways, including:
In diffusers and aromatherapy inhalers
Hinoki Oil is prized for its shinrin-yoku/forest bathing effects, i.e. its ability to reduce stress and anxiety as well as induce relaxation. To create a calming atmosphere in your home, add a few drops of 100% Pure Hinoki Oil to your diffuser. Hinoki Oil is a wonderful choice for aromatherapy inhalers too. Essential oil inhalers are incredibly practical and discreet, which makes them the perfect tool for harnessing the benefits of inhaling essential oils without having to bring along whole bottles and affecting others.
In massage blends
Dealing with muscular pain and/or sinus congestion? If yes, consider diluting a few drops of Hinoki Oil with Jojoba Carrier Oil and apply the blend topically. Massaging your body with this duo can also help you release emotional tension. If you love mixing essential oils, combine Hinoki Oil with Geranium Oil, Bergamot Oil, Lavender Oil, Roman Chamomile Oil, or Sweet Orange Oil to create a powerful anti-stress and anti-anxiety massage blend. Don’t forget that diluting prior to use is a must.
In hair growth mixtures
To stimulate early stage hair growth and promote a healthy scalp, mix 4 drops of Hinoki Oil with 6 drops of Yarrow Blue Oil and 30 ml of your favourite carrier oil. Apply this blend to your scalp and the roots of your hair, let it sit for 30 minutes, and wash it out with a regular shampoo.
In perfumes
Hinoki Oil’s aroma has a universal appeal. This is exactly why this Japanese grown essential oil is popular in the perfume industry.
In household cleaners and washing machines
Thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal qualities as well as its fresh, woody, slightly spicy scent, Hinoki Oil can be used in homes for cleaning purposes. Adding a few drops of Hinoki Oil to a commercial hardwood floor cleaner can help prevent termites. Hinoki Oil can also be used in washing machines for bacteria-free wash cycles.
In bug sprays
In Japan, Hinoki Oil is widely used as a natural insect repellent. Its ability to deter bugs as well as its pleasant aroma make it an amazing ingredient in DIY air fresheners/body sprays.
Blends well with
Hinoki Oil is a Japanese native conifer essential oil. It has a lot of blending partners, including Cypress Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Roman Chamomile Oil, Jasmine Oil, Bergamot Oil, Lavender Oil, Frankincense Oil, and Ylang Ylang Oil. Let’s take a close look at some of these gorgeous essential oils.
Cypress Oil.
This oil is steam-distilled from the branches of the cypress tree. Its clean and energising aroma works really well with Hinoki Oil’s sweet and woody scent. If you love the smell of forests, chances are you’ll love this powerful duo too.
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Cedarwood Oil
As the name suggests, Cedarwood Oil is extracted from the needles, leaves, bark, and berries of cedar trees. Its warm, balsamic aroma as well as its calming and grounding properties assist those of Hinoki Oil. Diffuse these two together to recreate the effects of shinrin-yoku/forest bathing.
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Roman Chamomile Oil
Roman Chamomile Oil boasts a crisp, sweet, fruity, and herbaceous scent. It’s commonly used during periods of anger or irritability. Additionally, Roman Chamomile Oil can assist with insect bites, inflamed skin, dermatitis, wounds, headaches, PMS, insomnia, and many other health issues. When mixed together, Hinoki Oil and Roman Chamomile Oil pack quite a punch.
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Jasmine Oil
Obtained from the flowers of the common jasmine plant, Jasmine Oil relaxes, soothes, and uplifts. It’s reported that Jasmine Oil can be helpful in combating depression, anxiety, stress, and fatigue. This lovely floral oil is extremely popular in the perfume industry. It’s said that both Hinoki Oil and Jasmine Oil possess a universal fragrance. If developing your own perfume is on your to-do list, you should definitely consider working with these oils.
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Bergamot Oil
This citrus oil possesses a uniquely complex aroma with underlying bitter and floral characteristics. Since both Hinoki Oil and Bergamot Oil can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, they can form a beautiful and, more importantly, relaxing duo.
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Lavender Oil
Lavender Oil is quite possibly the most popular and versatile essential oil. It’s cherished for its antibacterial, calming, and sedative properties. To promote tranquility and harmony, consider pairing Hinoki Oil with Lavender Oil. Aside from producing a soothing aroma, these two essential oils can also promote wound healing, improve skin health, and repel insects. Add a few drops of each oil to a massage lotion and/or a DIY bug spray.
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