Copaiba EO

Copaiba has long been used in traditional and folk medicine. In Panama, the Yaviza people mix the resin with honey and give it to newborns to impart knowledge and ward off hexes.

The balsam and its oil are used as fixatives in soap, perfumes and fragrances.
Copaiba is also used by artists especially in oil paint recipes and ceramic decoration. Mineral painters use a medium of copaiba, turpentine and lavender to mix with minerals for adhesion to ceramic vessels before kiln firing. Copaiba helps with both adhesion and quality of shine.

The balsam may be steam distilled to give copaiba oil, a colorless to light yellow liquid with the characteristic odour of a balsam and an aromatic, slightly bitter, pungent taste.

The thick, transparent exudate varies in color from light gold to dark brown, depending on the ratio of resin to eo. The stimulant oleoresin (essential oil and resin) is obtained from the trunk of several pinnate-leaved (arranged on each side of a common axis) South American trees (genus Copaifera).  It is used in making varnishes and lacquers.

Copaiba is curently being investigated as a source of biodiesel, due to it's high yield of 12,000 liters of oleresin per hectare. The resin is tapped from standing trees, with an individual tree yielding 40 liters per year.

The health benefits of copaiba come from the powerful, active components  consisting mainly of terpenes, which are hydrocarbons -organic mixture of hydrogen and carbon. These have significant effects on the functioning of the body. The effects of the terpenes found in copaiba are extremely beneficial to our health.

Consumption of this potent oil should be supervised by a 'professional' or it can cause stomach issues. Fortunately, allergies or sensitivity are rare. It can be used topically and diffused. 

Skin: it is astringent, it’s active components literally tighten the skin and even strengthen it which prevents lesions or wounds as the body ages, it reduces the appearance of wrinkles, which can make one look younger!

Not only does it protect and physically change the skin, it also heals and infuses the body with powerful nutrients and organic compounds that given a little time, eliminate blisters, marks, and pimples. It is often topically applied to scars to speed healing and reduce visibility.

Respiratory Health: When inhaled, the anti-inflammatory, soothing nature of the oil, is famed for easing discomfort. It loosens tensed muscles and glands which can cause irritation. As well as having soothing qualities which can ease pains caused by coughing, it is expectorant which uses said coughing  to rid the body of mucus.

Pain Relief: This wonderful analgesic, when applied, reduces pain, loosens muscles, eliminates joint pain, and even eases headaches and migraines.

Eliminate Infection: Strongly antibacterial copaiba is a major boost for the immune system. It acts as a shield for the skin, protects wounds from developing infection and can protect and buffer internally, by eliminating harmful bacteria and micro organisms from the inside!

Anxiety and Mood: it is often used to lighten the spirits and improve mood. There aren’t many essential oils with such a sweet, pleasant, rich honey aroma. The combination of scent and its gentle effects on hormonal balance can significantly improve your day.

Diuretic: Can cleanse and detoxify the system by stimulating urination. This diuretic effect can help everything from incontinence to bed wetting

Antifungal: eo effective as an anti fungal agent are rare, the unique terpene structures in copaiba eo significantly speed up the healing process and protect against future infections of athlete’s foot or any sort of (nail) fungus.

Lowers Blood Pressure: boosts heart health, reducing one's chances of a heart attack or stroke. It's anti-inflammatory, soothing nature can relieve tension and strain in blood vessels, allowing blood pressure to drop and the strain to disperse from the cardiovascular system. This helps prevent atherosclerosis, one of the leading causes of strokes and coronary heart disease.

Adding copaiba to any aromatherapy or eo regimen is a very wise choice.

Generally, this essential oil is very safe, it is also one that Indiginous peoples recommend for internal use – Please always consult a knowledgeable practitioner