In addition to frankincense and myrrh, copaiba essential oil is the third essential oil extracted from the resin to be highlighted.
Besides the familiar frankincense and myrrh, copaiba is the third essential oil extracted from the resin to be highlighted.
The biggest highlight of copaiba is its rich content of ?-stigmasterol, about 50%. There are many scientific studies on ?-stigmasterol, which is known as the “edible cannabinoid”.
Its main properties are: it promotes the growth of healthy cells, boosts immunity, repairs the nervous system, has a strong anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving ability, etc., but does not cause side effects due to nervous system euphoria like other cannabinoids, and is not addictive.
As personal daily care, I often use Cuban Balm alternating with Frankincense, a drop under the tongue at night before bed, the taste is mild and non-irritating.
What is copaiba?
copaiba essential oil, also known as copaiba balsam.
It comes from the resin of the copaiba tree, which is a mucilaginous secretion that is produced by trees of the genus Copaiba that grow in South America.
There are several common species of trees in the genus Copaiba, with the Latin names Copaifera officinalis, Copaifera langsdorffii, and Copaifera reticulata.
Is copaiba balsam the same as copaiba?
The balsam is collected from the trunk of the copaiba tree and then processed to extract the essential oil of copaiba (i.e. copaiba balsam usually refers to the raw balsam and copaiba balsam usually refers to the essential oil).
Both the balsam of Bittersweet and the essential oil of Balsam of Cuba are used for medicinal purposes.
Can copaiba make perfume?
The fragrance of copaiba essential oil is sweet and woody.
Both copaiba essential oil and its raw material, balsam, are used as ingredients in soaps, perfumes, and various cosmetics, as well as in pharmaceutical preparations, including natural diuretics and cough medicines.
Studies have shown that copaiba has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
With these properties, it is no wonder that copaiba essential oil can be helpful for many health problems. Now let’s explore the uses and benefits of copaiba essential oil.
The history of copaiba
Many practitioners of traditional medicine have been impressed by the benefits of copaiba essential oil for centuries.
Derived from the resin of the Copaiba tree, copaiba oil has been used medicinally since at least 1625, applied in natural remedies for health problems such as bronchitis, chronic cystitis, chronic diarrhea, and hemorrhoids.
The Brazilian herbal system is one of many traditional therapies that use copaiba in medicine as a powerful antibacterial and expectorant agent for respiratory problems.
It is also used as an internal anti-inflammatory agent for urinary tract problems and as an external anti-inflammatory agent for various skin problems.
Current research shows that copaiba essential oil has such diverse and surprising health benefits that today, you may want to consider including it in your regular essential oils.
Top 7 benefits of copaiba essential oil
Natural anti-inflammatory agent
Studies have shown that three different species of copaiba essential oils – Copaifera cearensis, Copaifera reticulata, and Copaifera multijuga – all show impressive anti-inflammatory activity.
Today, inflammation is at the root of most diseases.
Neuroprotective agents
A 2012 study investigated how Cuban balsam essential oil and resin (COR) has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in acute neurological disorders, including stroke and brain/spinal cord injury when a strong inflammatory response occurs.
The resin of Balsam of Cuba not only had anti-inflammatory effects but also reduced damage to the motor cortex by approximately 39% after just one dose of 400 mg/kg of COR.
Preventing Liver Damage
A study published in 2013 showed how copaiba essential oil can reduce liver tissue damage caused by common conventional painkillers such as acetaminophen (ie: paracetamol).
Researchers have found that copaiba essential oil reduces liver damage when used in a preventative manner (prior to the use of pain medication).
However, when this essential oil was used after pain medication, it actually had the undesirable effect of increasing bilirubin levels in the liver.
Oral Health
Copaiba essential oil has also been shown to be beneficial for oral health.
An in vitro study published in 2015 found no cytotoxicity in endodontic root canal sealants based on copaiba resin.
Researchers believe this may be related to the biocompatibility, restorative and anti-inflammatory properties of copaiba resin.
Overall, copaiba resin appears to be a “promising material” for dental use.
Why copaiba essential oil for oral health is so important?
Another study, published in the Brazilian Dental Journal, showed that copaiba essential oil was able to stop the multiplication of bacteria.
In particular, Streptococcus pyogenes (the largest percentage of the natural flora of the mouth and the main causative agent of caries). This bacteria is known to cause tooth decay.
Therefore, copaiba essential oil prevents tooth decay by preventing the proliferation of Streptococcus pyogenes.
So when you next gargle with coconut oil, don’t forget to add 1 drop of copaiba essential oil.
Pain relief assistant
copaiba essential oil helps to relieve pain and scientific studies have shown that it has analgesic properties.
This means that it can help block sensory neurons from detecting painful stimuli.
The results of the study showed that Copaifera essential oil exhibited analgesic effects on peripheral and central pain, which may make it useful in the management of various persistent pains such as arthritis.
In particular, with regard to arthritis, a scientific article published in 2017 states that case reports show that people suffering from joint pain and inflammation reported good results after using copaiba.
However, extensive research on the effects of copaiba essential oil on inflammatory arthritis is still limited to basic studies and to uncontrolled clinical observations in humans.
Anti-inflammatory, Anti-bacterial and Healing
With its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and healing abilities, copaiba essential oil is another option for the natural treatment of acne.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial published in 2018 found that volunteers with acne experienced a “significant reduction” in the area of skin affected by acne when using a 1% concentration of a copaiba essential oil preparation.
To take full advantage of its skin-cleansing properties, add 1 drop of Balsam de Cuba essential oil to a toner or cream such as “Witch Hazel” (an American brand of toner).
Tranquilizers
Although there have not been many studies to prove this effect, copaiba essential oil is often used in aromatherapy because of its calming effects.
It has a sweet, woody scent that can help relieve tension and anxiety after a long day, or help you relax before bedtime.
How to use copaiba essential oil?
Copaiba essential oil can be used in a variety of ways, such as through aromatherapy, topical application, or internal use.
Is it safe to take copaiba essential oil internally?
As long as it is 100% pure, physical therapy grade or USDA certified organic, it is safe to consume.
For internal use, you can add 1 or 2 drops to water, tea or a milkshake (copaiba essential oil has no strange taste or irritation, the taste is acceptable to most people, and you can take the drops directly under the tongue).
For external use, mix copaiba essential oil with a carrier oil or unscented lotion and apply to the body.
If you want to inhale the forest scent of this essential oil, you can add a few drops to an aromatherapy diffuser to amplify the scent.
copaiba essential oil can be used with cedar, rose, lemon, wild orange, happy sage, jasmine, vanilla, and ylang-ylang essential oils.
Considerations for copaiba essential oil
Possible side effects of copaiba oil include skin irritation when applied topically.
Apply to the skin after diluting with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or almond oil.
To be on the safe side, do a patch test on a small area of your body before using copaiba essential oil. Avoid contact of the essential oil with mucous membranes such as the eyes.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have an ongoing medical condition or are taking medication, consult your healthcare provider before using Balsam de Cuba essential oil.
Always keep Balsam de Cuba essential oil out of the reach of children and pets, along with other essential oils.
When used internally, and especially when overused, side effects of copaiba essential oil may include stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, rash, groin pain, and insomnia. Topical use may cause redness or itching.
However, allergies to Balsam de Cuba are rare, but if you do become allergic, then stop using it immediately and seek medical attention if needed.
Lithium(such as lithium carbonate tablets, indicated primarily for the treatment of mania), is known to interact with balsam. Because copaiba has a diuretic effect, taking it together may decrease the degree to which your body absorbs lithium.
If you are taking lithium or any other prescription or over-the-counter medication, talk with your healthcare provider before using this product.