Hinoki Wood EO

Our sustainably harvested Hinoki Wood (aka Japanese Cypress) essential oil is made from the wood, not the leaves of this highly revered tree. The aroma is dry, fine woody, and has light terpenic nuances with soft herbal/lemony overtones and a peculiar warm, sweet, somewhat spicy undertone.

One word that springs to mind when describing this arboreal aroma is 'clean' – and perhaps it is this quality that makes it an important part of bathing rituals. Many components of Hinoki Wood essential oil have been shown to be the same as those found in fresh forest air [1], suggesting the aroma is an excellent choice in a diffuser, sauna, or aromatic blend to create your own version of a refreshing forest-bathing experience.

Hinoki is grown for its very high-quality timber in Japan where it is used as a material for building temples, shrines, traditional Noh theatres, ritual baths and even table tennis paddles. It is also used in traditional Japanese stick incense for its light, earthy aroma.[2] However, it should be mentioned that Hinoki is categorized as a near endangered species, but this is in reference specifically to old growth Hinoki, of which very little is left.[3] During Japan’s military era, many of the country’s mountainous areas were clear-cut and then reforested with fast-growing evergreens such as Hinoki and Sugi, greatly diminishing biodiversity and a wide variety of deciduous trees. In an effort to reforest with native trees, the Japanese government promotes the culling of this new growth Hinoki. The culled logs are milled into boards and the unusable off-cuttings are collected by our producer to distill our Hinoki Wood essential oil.[4] The sawmill supplying the Hinoki off-cuttings has been certified by the Kochi Prefectural Forestry Association as engaging in legal and sustainable forestry practices.

Hinoki has been embraced by perfumers and is a central ingredient in several noteworthy perfumes. Perfume House Comme des Garçons' perfumer, Antoine Maisondieu, describes his 'Scent One: Hinoki' as a "…scent inspired by Japanese hot-spring baths and Scandinavian forests."[5] The comforting and clarifying aroma of Hinoki is suitable for use in the bath, diffusers, massage and meditation blends, outdoor sprays, chest rubs, and clarifying skincare preparations.