Copaiba Balsam Essential Oil (Copaifera officinalis)

Overview

It is typically processed using steam distilled as a method for extracting oil from the gum/resin.

Summary

Copaiba Balsam is steam distilled from the gum/resin of Copaifera officinalis, a tree that is native to Brazil and parts of South America. It's a lesser known botanical and oil, and I'm still getting acquainted with its intriguing aroma and applications.

Aromatically, Copaiba Balsam Essential has a deep, rich, earthy, grounding aroma. It can be used as a fixative in natural aromatics in place of Oakmoss Absolute. This is especially appealing since Oakmoss Absolute possesses a high risk of skin sensitivity.

Emotionally and spiritually, Copaiba Balsam Essential is calming, balancing and grounding.

Copaiba Balsam Essential Oil — Copaifera officinalis (copaiba balsam); habit, showing mature tree. Piñero Ranch, Cojedes State, Venezuelan Llanos. August, 2009. - ©barloventomagico/via flickr - CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Essential Facts

Aroma Description:
Earthy Resinous Sweet Woody
Synonyms(s) for Copaifera officinalis: Copaiba officinalis, Copaifera jacquini, Copaiva officinalis
Botanical Family: Fabaceae
Botanical Genus: Copaifera
Chemical Family: Sesquiterpenes
Major Compounds: B-Caryophyllene, a-Copaiene, delta-Cadinene, Gamma-Cadinene, Cedrol
Perfumery Note: Base
Consistency: Medium
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
Color: Light Yellow
Indigenous Country: Brazil
Cultivation: Wild Harvested
Processing Methods: Steam Distilled
Part Typically Used: Gum/Resin
Shelf Life: 8 years

Wild Harvested
Vegan

Essential Details

Benefits & Uses

May be benefitial for addressing the following ailments:

Bronchia Bronchitis Colds Coughs Stress

Other Uses for Copaiba Balsam:

Natural Perfumery

Cautions & Safety

Cautions when using Copaiba Balsam:

Tisserand and Young do not indicate any special precautions when using Copaiba Balsam. However, reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 259.]

Safety Precautions for Copaiba Balsam:

Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.