You might have heard recently about an essential oil called Copaiba (pronounced co-pie-EE-ba), which is generating a lot of buzz, particularly among holistic health circles, about its variety of purported benefits — everything from relieving pain to helping fight cancer.
Here’s a brief rundown on what you should know about what could very likely be a big health trend in 2021…
1. Copaiba oil derives from the sap of trees in South and Central America. These trees, known formally as Copaifera officinalis, are tapped much the way maple trees are to harvest syrup. Their resin is then distilled with steam to produce an aromatic oil with a smell that might remind you of cinnamon, honey, and cedar.
2.While copaiba oil is a recent addition to our health discourage here in modern-day American, it actually has a long history in South and Central America—the Mayan culture used it starting in the 16th to treat a variety of ailments.
3. Talk to advocates of copaiba today, and you might hear that it has anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antimicrobial capabilities. Claims include that it can help stave off cancer, relieve pain, and even aid in healing scars or clearing up skin blemishes.
4. Unfortunately, while there is some basic research to support some of its health claims, there’s nothing conclusive that proves copaiba is any kind of miracle. However, those who are interested in complementary and alternative medicine may wish to keep an eye on it as it undergoes more studies. At the very least, they may wish to simply use copaiba as an aromatic oil in their home to boost their mood and relieve stress.
5. If you want to add copaiba to your essential oil collection, it’s important you use discretion in choosing a seller—go with a reliable distributor, such as doTERRA. Don’t buy any copaiba oil that has been cut with chemicals or other toxic ingredients. It’s also important not to rely on copaiba oil as treatment in lieu of proven methods.
6. Follow the specific directions provided by the oil’s distributor. You can use copaiba by mixing it with a carrier oil or lotion and massaging it onto the skin, diffusing it into the air with a mister or diffuser, or putting several drops in a warm bath.
