I talk about major Hinoki natural power in this post such as Antibacterial effect,
The deodorant effect, reducing stress.
In Japanese long history, Hinoki cypress has been not only the sacred tree but also a useful tree with lots of benefits -the Japanese have been producing Hinoki cypress products such as building materials, furniture, kitchen tools, bathroom goods from ancient years.
The benefits of cypress are unstoppable in Japan, as people who love natural organic items all over the world are paying attention to Hinoki cypress.
Today, I am introducing those beloved Hinoki cypress wood products to help your natural life be brighter.
Hinoki Item 1; Hinoki Essential Oil
Hinoki Essential Oil Benefits
The main ingredient of Hinoki oil is α-pinene, which gives off the scent of the forest(wood.)
As benefits, not only sedation and anti-stress, but also antibacterial and insect repellent can be expected.
The great aroma gently soothes the mind and uplights the mood, for meditation? It’s perfect! – makes you feel relaxed, refreshed, energetic and gives you the time to refind your value. The relaxing effect in the oil can be expected to comfort and supports better sleep.
Not only using for mental therapy, but Hinoki essential oil is also has effective for healing physical concerns.
Since it improves blood circulation, it can be expected to be effective in relieving swelling, physical fatigue, and poor blood circulation.
The ingredient “hinokitiol” activates the skin.
However, the Japanese Hinoki Cypress is not rich in “hinokitiol” so choose Aomori Hiba or Taiwan Cypress if you expect hinokitiol effects.
For more details, read this post.
What Does Hinoki Essential Oil Smell Like?
A refreshing wood scent reminiscent of the scent of the forest. It has been popular as a “Japanese tree” and can give an impression of Japanese Aesthetics-spiritual, gentle, soft, calming…
The Hinoki scent differs depending on the part- the essential oil extracted from the heartwood has a gentle calming scent and the essential oil extracted from the branches and leaves is very refreshing.
Japanese Hinoki Cypress aroma is NOT powerful, but nice calming, and natural, which you can expect to enhance your mindfulness meditation. Moreover, it can lead you to feel you are in the temples and shrines since Hinoki cypress is the sacred tree in Japan which used as the main building materials for them.
Hinoki Cypress is native to Japan. Among Japanese Hinoki Cypress, “Yoshino Hinoki” is well-known for its quality.
100% Pure woody scent makes natural relaxation time, you can use it for massaging or adding aroma diffuser and hot bath.
These cute egg-shaped Hinoki cypress wood balls are also handy items in any situation at home.
The natural soft woody Hinoki scent, put in the closet, shoe shelf, bathrooms…
You can put them in a hot bath to enhance the relaxation effects of the Hinoki aroma and bathing.
As The Natural Therapy (Shinrin Yoku, 森林浴)
“Shinrin-Yoku”, aka “forest bathing”, is to enjoy the forest atmosphere by taking a leisurely walk, which is a therapy developed in Japan during the 1980s. The researches show “forest bathing” brings several health benefits especially to reduce stresses, anger, anxiety, depression, sleeping troubles, and also to improve immune systems.
The main effect of Shinrin-Yoku is said the “Phytoncide” effect that plants and trees originally have. Among plants and trees, the Hinoki cypress has powerful phytoncide effects.
Therefore, to use Hinoki cypress essential oil, you can expect the same effect of forest bathing at home. On the hustle-bustle day and don’t have enough time to take a walk in the woods or parks, enjoy Hinoki aroma to be refreshed and relaxed!
Make Hinoki Aroma Room Spray
Hinoki essential oil has excellent antibacterial and deodorant effects. Make “Hinoki Aroma Spray” as a natural air freshener with sterilization.
It’s 100% natural, kids & pet -safe. Even you can use it for sanitation for kitchen tools.
- For sanitize kitchen tools & tables
- For deodorize rooms and furniture
- For Anti-Odor & Anti-Bugs
DIY “Hinoki Aroma Spray”
[Ingredients]
- 3/4 cup pure water
- 2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol
- 15 drops of Hinoki essential oil
Oils that Blend Well With Hinoki Cypress Essential Oil
- Wood: Cypress, Pine, Rosewood
- Citrus: Lemon, Orange, Bergamot
- Herbs: Rosemary, Lavender
For more details of other essential oils, read here.
Item 2; Hinoki Wood Flakes
The Japanese don’t like “wasting” rooted on “Mottainai” spirits.
We use whole parts of a sacred tree, Hinoki, even wood flakes and chips produced from the cutting process.
To use Hinoki benefits effectively, Hinoki chips and flakes can be used in your daily life, such as deodorizing bathrooms, living rooms, pet toilets.
Adding Hinoki Scents In The Hot Bath
Throw the sachet of Hinoki flakes in the bathtub, it makes you feel relaxed like you are in the woods.
Not as strong scent like Hinoki Buro – Japanese traditional bathtub made of Hinoki cypress, but you can still have experience of Japanese loved wooden scent while soaking in a hot tub.
It can be reusable up to 3 times, after then, dry completely and hang up in the closet, or put in the winter boots as a deodorant sachet.
it is the perfect gift for natural life lovers!
Hinoki Item 3; Hinoki Buro Products
Japanese Aroma wood, famous for its high quality, is also used in bath accessories, which are acclaimed for their beauty, strength, and easy-dry.
Not only its silky touch but also Hinoki bath accessories have excellent functions such as drain-well, easy-dry, antibacterial, and deodorant.
No matter what, its natural woody scent would be beloved!
Also, you can have an “Onsen” -a Japanese hot spa, experience and enjoy natural bath time.
Hinoki Item 5; Kitchen Tools
Hinoki woods can be great kitchen tools with their rich components in antibacterial, deodorant, and easy-dry properties.
To use the Hinoki cutting board since a well-maintenance kitchen knife can make a difference in the texture and aroma of the food items.
Despite the longing for wood cutting boards, many people (including me) think it is difficult to maintain. Woodcutting boards aren’t just more aesthetically, but also a great tool for everyday use.
Hinoki Item 6; The Best Cup For Drinking Japanese Sake
The scent of Japanese sake and Hinoki sake cup go well together, and the taste is quite different from what you usually drink in a glass.
The beautiful grain and natural wood warmth, smooth texture.
It is highly recommended to have a Hinoki sake cup to taste the special sake for the special occasion.
The scent of Hinoki cypress dramatically makes the taste of Sake different!!!
On the other hand, it is not recommended for those who do not like the strong woody scent in Sake.
Also, the cypress sake cup is fragile, please read this post thoroughly about the care of wooden sake ware.
Being Surrounded By Natural Items
Hinoki cypress is an evergreen conifer native to Japan and Taiwan. With its beautiful grain, easy processing, humidity control, and insect repellent effect, Hinoki cypress has been used as a building material for shrines and temples in Japan. The world’s oldest wooden building, Horyuji Temple is also built with Hinoki cypress lumbers.
Representative Japanese aroma has a highly relaxing effect and is also used as fragrances in bath salts, air fresheners, and soaps.
It’s proven you can get the same effects of “Shinrin Yoku” aka “Forest bathing” just by being surrounded by natural wooden products.
Get natural power and enjoy the natural lifestyle!
If you haven’t known Hinoki benefits, read next here! I also talk about Forest bathing.
Hinoki Aroma is related to the Japanese soul deeply, the relaxing Japanese bath salts often use Hinoki scent.
If you want to know how to maintain wood cutting boards read HERE!