Name: Copaiba Balsam Oil, South America

Species: Copaifera langsdorfii

Part: Balsam

Class: Sesquiterpene

Country: South America

 For those struggling with pronunciation, try saying “Ko-pah-ee-bah”.

•  So what are the properties of this wonderful oil?
• Chemically Copaiba is very high in B-Caryophyllene. In Clove essential oil, BCaryophyllene is only found in about 8% of the concentration. In Copaiba – it is 55-60% - the highest of any known essential oil.
• Caryophyllene is a Sesquiterpene. Sesquiterpenes have the general property of deleting faulty information in cellular memory that can cause disease. They can cross the blood brain barrier, and play a number of vital biochemical functions in both plants and animals. Sesquiterpenes have properties like haemoglobin in that they can carry oxygen molecules
   throughout the body and into the cells themselves.
• 
   As you read above, Copaiba is potentially the highest anti-inflammatory substance known. Many believe of any anti-inflammatory substances – natural or synthetic. It has greater action than Ibuprofen or even Cortisone – and with NO SIDE EFFECTS! Copaiba decreases PGE2 production, and it is a Cox-2 inhibitor – making it very good for heart health (similar to why you would take an aspirin a day).
• 
  Copaiba has the medical properties of being a diuretic, a laxative, a stimulant, it is good for congestion, mucus build up, and is anticarcinogenic. Copaiba (and all essential oils) brings the body into homeostasis – so if you do not need a laxative or stimulant effect – don’t worry – you won’t get that action. It is extremely effective as an anti-inflammatory and works amazingly well for arthritis pain. Any pain due to inflammation (which is basically all pain) will respond to Copaiba. It is also very effective against urinary incontinence – and it has used successfully in several dogs to stop urine dribbling.
• 
  Taken orally, Copaiba has been used successfully for Fibromyalgia, Lupus, MS and other painful conditions.
  Copaiba is known as a magnifier. Any time you use Copaiba with oil, it will have the effect of magnifying the properties of that oil. This can enable you to use less of another more expensive oil or get larger benefits from a different oil that you are using.
• 
  Copaiba can be applied topically undiluted and is very mild. It can even be applied to a new born baby, bird, or other small animal. For very small animals, I would still dilute the oil, just as they do not require a full drop. Orally, many people don’t even detect a flavor. It can be dripped directly under the tongue, taken in a capsule, taken in a “shot of juice”, or mixed with some food, honey, or Agave syrup. Dogs will eat it in just about any form, and cats generally eat it in a little canned food. Copaiba is approved as a food additive.

 Copaiba has been used and shows great benefits for the following:
 • Pain and arthritis
 • Breaks up tumors
 • cystitis
 • chronic diarrhea
 • reduce hemorrhoids
 • disinfects
 • diuretic
 • strengthens kidney function
 • laxative (remember, only if your body needs it)
 • anti-fungal
 • gastro-protective
 • decreases stomach ulcers
 • decreases pain
 • expectorant
 • respiratory tract/bronchitis/sinusitis
 • antiseptic for the urinary tract
 • incontinence
 • rheumatoid arthritis
 • herpes
 • Tuberculosis

These are some of a veterinary's favorite ways to use Copaiba (posted on the web):
 • For urinary incontinence in dogs
 • For arthritis pain in cats and dogs
 • As an anti-inflammatory in horses – with the gastro-protective properties– no Gastro-Guard is needed!
 • For angina chest pains in humans
 • As a replacement for any Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Tylenol, Cortisone
 • For ANY arthritis or pain in humans
 • Just about any condition that needs inflammation reduced
 • As a magnifier to any other oil I am using
 • For humans – try a couple drops under the tongue, once or twice a day for a month and just see what happens.

Sold in Amazonian pharmacies and used for nearly 800 years in folk medicine, copaiba was also listed in the US Pharmacopeia from 1820 to 1910 for topical and oral uses and is still on the FDA GRAS list (Generally Regarded as Safe). Copaiba is the highest in beta-caryophyllene which is an anti-inflammatory compound. A 1996 study showed beta-caryophyllene to be effective in treating stress induced ulcers. Beta-caryophyllene is also found in helichrysum at between 8 and 12%, while copaiba contains 50% beta-car. Clove oil contains 6-8% beta-caryophyllene in comparison.

Marc Schreuder, a Young Living guy – in a conference call said that copaiba is helichrysum on steroids. In 2009, after 8 years of studying copaiba, he said it was his number one favourite oil with frankincense coming in at number 2. He also said that combining copaiba and frankincense would give you the highest spiritual and emotional oil blend. Just like sandalwood is considered an excellent emotional supportive oil, copaiba is six times better and Marc called copaiba, sandalwood on steroids, due to its high sesquiterpene content. He also liked copaiba mixed with a little peppermint for pain, applied topically.

For oral consumption, traditional uses are as much as ½ teaspoon twice daily. Four to six drops per day in a capsule should show benefit. It is not really a diffusing oil, but can be when mixed with other pure essential oils like Frankincense, and this aromatic treasure is currently found in The Oil Shoppe’s Deep Tissue Pain Essential Oil Blend.

 Marc also pointed out that much of the copaiba oil marketed is adulterated with soy bean oil or kerosene to extend the yield. The Oil Shop’s is not.

How To Use

Directions:
Dietary Supplement: Put 2 drops in a capsule. Take three times daily or as needed. *Note: Only ingest essential oils upon direction from you aromatherapist or doctor. Topical: Apply 2-4 drops directly to desired area. Dilution not required, except for the most sensitive skin. Use as needed.
Aromatic: Diffuse up to one hour three times daily.

Did You Know?

Copaiba resin (what is tapped from the copaiba tree) has been used for hundreds of years as an incense in some Central and South American cultures.

 * Copaiba oleoresin and essential oil was first recorded in European medicine journals in 1625.
 * Copaiba essential oil contains the highest amounts of beta caryophyllene (55 percent) of any known essential oil.

Caution: If you are nursing, pregnant, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult a physician before using.

Reference: Essential Oil DataBase