Copaifera officinalis, Copaifera spp wildcrafted crude resin from the tree, from Brazil. Other Names: Balsam, Bálsamo de Copaiba, Baume de Copahu, Copaiba, Copaiba Oleoresin, Copaïer, Copaifera langsdorffii, Copaifera officinalis, Copaifera reticulata, Copaiva, Copayer, Jesuit's Balsam, Oléorésine de Copahu.

Aroma: A base note of medium aroma, Copaiba Balsam has a warm honey scent like honey. Rich and pleasant, it is easily identifiable as a base note.

Main Constituents:
β-Caryophyllene: 30%

Description / Colour / Consistency: A medium to heavy yellow to a brownish liquid that darkens when exposed to air. Copaiba balsam is a sap-like substance (oleoresin) collected from the trunk of trees that belong to the Copaifera species. Copaiba balsam is processed to make copaiba oil. Both copaiba balsam and copaiba oil are used to make medicine.

Copaiba Balsam Resin is extracted from trees growing in the wild. They are found mainly in the South American rain forests, particularly in Brazil, Columbia, Peru and Venezuela. The resin is harvested by tapping or drilling holes into the trunk of the tree, much like how rubber trees are tapped. Although this resin is often referred to as balsam, it is not a true balsam. Copaiba Balsam Oil has been used historically as a fixative in perfumes and colognes.

Common Uses: People take copaiba balsam for treating bronchitis, hemorrhoids, constipation, diarrhea, and bladder infections and other urinary tract infections (UTIs). They also take it as a stimulant. In foods and beverages, copaiba balsam is used as an ingredient. In manufacturing, copaiba balsam and copaiba oil are used in soaps, cosmetics, and perfumes. In pharmaceutical preparations, both copaiba balsam and copaiba oil are used in cough medicines and diuretics.

Chemicals in copaiba balsam and copaiba oil might help kill germs. Other chemicals in copaiba balsam might decrease swelling (inflammation), increase the production of urine (act as a diuretic), and help loosen chest congestion (act as an expectorant).

Blends With: Copaiba Balsam Essential Oil blends well with oils from the floral and spice families, oils with Oriental bases, and with the aphrodisiac oils – Rose, Jasmine, Sandalwood, and Frankincense. It can also support the softer qualities of oils such as Ylang-ylang or Vanilla.

Cautions: Dilute before use; for external use only. May cause skin irritation, redness, itching, and a rash that might leave brown spots after healing in some individuals; a skin test is recommended prior to use. Contact with the eyes should be avoided. Overuse especially if ingested can cause side effects such as stomach pains, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, tremor, groin pain, and sleeplessness (insomnia).

Photo thanks to Jonathan Wilkins, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons