AMAZONATU

Copaíba is a tree native to Latin America and West Africa, very prevalent in Brazil in the Amazon regions. Also known as copaibeira, oil stick and copaíba oil, it is a large plant, reaching up to 40 meters high and four meters in diameter. Copaíba lives about 400 years.

The fruits produced by copaíba are black and oval seeds, with a yellowish region - they are very rich in lipids, but the most used product from this tree is the oil produced by it (which has nothing to do with the fruits). Copaid oil is extracted from the tree trunk and is used for medicinal purposes in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry, with functions such as antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and healing.

Extraction of copaid oil
Unlike most vegetable oils, which are extracted from the seeds of the fruits, copaíba oil is produced in the stem of the plant, that is, it is a natural product existing in the trunk of the copaíba. The oil-resin produced on the trunk is the product of the detoxification of the plant organism and functions as plant defense against animals, fungi and bacteria.

The extraction of this oil is done by drilling the canopy trunk. The process, however, must be done properly, so as not to harm the life of the tree. In the past, copaíba trunks were cut with an axe, which made it easier to obtain large amounts of oil. But, as you can imagine, this practice caused excessive deforestation of the species, leading to the death of trees and making it impossible for them to recover for a new withdrawal of copaíba oil.

In view of this situation, new techniques have been adopted. One of them has been considered non-aggressive and is currently the most used. It consists in the use of a trado, which pierces the trunk without harming the tree, enabling its recovery so that new oil extractions from copaíba can be made in the future.

The extraction of copaíba oil should be done in very old trees (over 100 years old) and that have dry branches at the top, as they have larger amounts of oil inside. New copaid trees do not have oil and can be severely damaged if perforated.
When the trunk is drilled, the oil begins to drain through the hole and is collected in a container. After collection, the orifice should be sealed (preferably with clay) so that there are no infections and attacks of insects. When recovered, the seal is removed for a new canopy oil harvest.

For what copaíba oil is for
Copaíba oil was dubbed the "Amazon balm" due to its qualities. It consists of 72% sesquiterpenes (hydrocarbons) and 28% diterpenes (carboxylic acids), but this composition can vary depending on the type of copaid, tree age and soil, among other factors.

The main sesquiterpenes found in resin oil are ß-cariophilene, responsible for the anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antiemic action, and ß-bisabolene, with analgesic action, among many other compounds. These substances are responsible for the aroma of copaid oil and its antiviral and antiulcer properties.

The diterpenes present in copaíba oil are responsible for most of its therapeutic properties. Among them are copaferous acid, copalic acid, calavernic acid and colavenol. Copalic acid is known as a copaid marker, as it is a component present in any copaid oil independent of the soil or tree type.

Benefits of copaid oil
Among the various benefits of copaíba oil for health are as follows:
Antiseptic and antithenic potential;
Expectorant: the application of four drops of copaid oil mixed with honey helps in sputum;
Infections: gargling with the oil helps in inflammations of throat and tonsillitis. It is also effective for genital and hemorrhoid infections;
Antitumor: ability to act against cancer cells responsible for breast, prostate and colon cancer;
Combat rheumatism and muscle aches: massage with copaid oil activates blood circulation, relieving pain, rheumatism and inflammations. It also assists in the treatment of gout;
Skin diseases: because it is anti-inflammatory, when applied on the affected region, assists in the treatment of dermatitis, hives, psoriasis, acnes, herpes, wounds, leishmaniosis, insect bites and snake bite;
It helps stop bleeding.
On the skin, it can help in the elimination and reduction of scars, cellulites and stretch marks. If applied in regions with marks and stains, copaíba oil aids in whitening when mixed with other vegetable oils, such as rose hipta. It is an emollient oil, assisting in the hydration and softness of the skin, in addition to regenerating collagen, improving the elasticity of the skin and leaving it with a firm and young appearance.

In the hair, it also has benefits, which is why copaíba oil is used by the cosmetic industry in the manufacture of shampoos and moisturizing creams. It balances oiliness, treats mycoses, caspas and seborrhea of the scalp. Protects dyed hair and leaves the strands shiny and soft.

But your benefits don't stop there! It is a widely used oil industrially. Because it is a source rich in hydrocarbons, oil extracted from copaíba has been used as mixed fuel in diesel oil.

Besides being a component used in the formulation of shampoos, it is widely used as a seter of perfume aromas. The oil also serves as an ingredient for making soaps and soaps. In the food industry, copaíba oil is used as a food additive, being a product approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

It is also used in dentistry, in the formulation of cements for fillings. Mixing with copaid oil prevents irritation and proliferation of bacteria.

Remember that for all applications, 100% natural and pure oil should be used, free of harmful chemicals to health.