Copaiba essential oil is extracted from copaiba trees in the Amazon rainforest. The essential oil is steam distilled from the copaiba oleoresin, a substance made up of resin and essential oils. The collection process of the oleoresin is unique among essential oils—it is tapped from the tree similar to how maple trees are tapped for their syrup.
Native Brazilians used this rain forest tree in traditional health practices. dōTERRA Copaiba oil can support much of the body including, the cardiovascular, immune, digestive, nervous and immune systems.
What Makes Copaiba Unique?
The chemicals in Copaiba essential oil makes it unique. Copaiba’s main chemical is beta-caryophyllene. This chemical makes up approximately 50 percent of dōTERRA’s Copaiba oil. It is an amazing compound with health benefits that have been widely researched. To start, it’s a cannabinoid, a chemical similar to that found in cannabis, which has influential effects on CB2 receptors.
Cannabinoid receptors, located throughout the body, are part of the endocannabinoid system, which is involved in a variety of processes including appetite, pain-sensation, mood, and memory. There are currently two known types of cannabinoid receptors, termed CB1 and CB2. The CB1 receptor is expressed mainly in the brain (central nervous system), but also in the lungs, liver, and kidneys. The CB2 receptor is expressed mainly in the immune system and in stem cells that give rise to other blood cells. So it isn’t surprising that Copaiba has a host of promising benefits.
While beta-caryophyllene is extraordinary with properties we are still discovering, the real power of this essential oil isn’t in it’s individual compounds, but in the combined effect of the oil’s components that are uniquely blended together by nature.
The Second Half of the Story
Through dōTERRA’s own testing, they discovered that Copaiba is rich in copaene, bergamotene, and humulene. These, in isolation, have also been shown to have a number of beneficial health properties.
- In vitro research has shown that copaene may have powerful antioxidant properties (Turkez) and offer protection against environmental threats (Andrade).*
- Bergamotene is particularly interesting, as in vivo research suggests that it may support proper immune system function when taken internally (Gelmini).*
- Similarly, experimental research suggests that internal use of humulene may support proper inflammatory response (Fernandes, Passos).*
- Internal benefits ranging from supporting the cardiovascular system (Campos) to the proper function of the respiratory system (Kobayashi).
But, thanks to synergy, the benefits of Copaiba oil are actually greater than the benefits of the individual parts. For example, the compounds humulene and isocaryophyllene are both known for their ability to support cellular health (Legault & Pichette). When combined with Copaiba’s main constituent, beta-caryophyllene, these compounds have even greater effects (Legault & Pichette). Research shows that the reason these compounds synergize with beta-caryophyllene is because beta-caryophyllene facilitates their passage through the cell membrane (Legault & Pichette).
Essential oils are composed of tens to hundreds of different compounds in distinct proportions with health benefits that we are just beginning to understand. Although isolated beta-caryophyllene has a number of amazing properties, like that found in synthetic oils, it simply cannot be compared to the whole of Copaiba essential oil.
What Does Copaiba Help?
So with all this potential for health benefits, here are my top picks for Copaiba essential oil.
- Pain and Irritation, Joint Discomfort, Gout and Muscle Cramps
- Promotes Healthy Liver Function
- Irritated Joints or Muscles, Foot Pain, & Heel Bone Discomfort
- Respiratory Difficulties, Throat Aches, & Tonsil Irritation
- Bed wetting & Bladder Instability
- Colon Irritations & Unwanted Bacteria or Pathogens in the Digestive Tract
- Abnormal Cellular Growth or Function
- Unwanted Bacteria or Pathogens
- Nausea, Vomiting, Abdominal Pain & Bloating
- Acne, Dry Irritated or Flaky Skin on the Body or Head
- Mends Cuts, Aging Skin & Collagen Production
- Alleviates Head and Neck Tension
- Promotes Healthy Hormone Production
- Helps Maintain Already Healthy Blood Pressure
- Soothes Anxious Feelings and Promotes Sound Sleep
- Skin Imperfections, Blemishes, Bites, Burns, Bruising, Strains
- Emotional Balance
How to Use Copaiba
Copaiba oil is a incredibly versatile oil that has been used for centuries. See some of my favorite ways to use Copaiba oil below:
- Use Copaiba oil on your skin. Copaiba oil has the capability of keeping your skin clear and clean while reducing the appearance of blemishes. To take advantage of this benefit, add Copaiba essential oil to your toner and apply to your face in upward circular motions. Or, apply it directly your skin before applying moisturizer.
- Use Copaiba oil as a personal fragrance. Oils that blend well with Copaiba essential oil include Roman Chamomile, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Frankincense, or Ylang Ylang. Using any of these oils that appeal to you, create your own personal fragrance in a roller bottle, and then fill the rest of the bottle with Fractionated Coconut Oil.
- Use Copaiba oil for whole-body wellness. Most of the body can benefit from Copaiba oil—it supports the cardiovascular, immune, digestive, nervous, and immune system.* South Americans have used Copaiba resin for the health of many of these same systems. To take advantage of these benefits, add one to two drops of Copaiba oil to water, juice, or make your own tea using warm water and honey.
- Use Copaiba oil to calm occasional anxious feelings. When you’re facing a stressful day ahead or feeling worried, the woody scent of Copaiba oil can help calm any anxious feelings you may be experiencing.
- Use Copaiba oil to protect and support your cells. Take one to two drops of Copaiba essential oil in a veggie capsule to take advantage of the antioxidants—the substance that stops potential damage to your cells from oxidation.*
- Use Copaiba oil to unwind. Diffuse Copaiba essential oil in your room and focus on the scent to fall into a meditative state. Or, you can also use Copaiba oil in a calming bath by adding two to three drops to body wash before mixing it in the water.
Where to Buy Copaiba Essential Oil
Want to try Copaiba Essential oil? Learn how to order by visiting my Copaiba oil page. These also come in a convenient softgel for internal use. Click here to see the softgels.
Once you receive your own bottle of potent, pure essential oil, you’ll find everyday uses for this product. Most importantly, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that this oil is safe to use at home and on your family. When you buy essential oils from dōTERRA, you have the assurance that each bottle of oil has been responsibly sourced, thoroughly tested, and carefully produced with your family in mind.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
References
Turkez H, et al. Effects of copaene, a tricyclic sesquiterpene, on human lymphocytes cells in vitro. Cytotechnology. 2014;66(4):597-603.
Andrade MA, et al. Essential oils: in vitro activity against Leishmania amazonensis, cytotoxicity and chemical composition. BMC Complementary Alternative Medicine. 2016;16:444.
Gelmini F, et al. GC-MS profiling of the phytochemical constituents of the oleoresin from Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. and a preliminary in vivo evaluation of its antipsoriatic effect. International Journal of Pharmacology. 2013;440(2):170-178.
Fernandes E, et al. Anti-inflammatory effects of compounds alpha-humulene and (−)-trans-caryophyllene isolated from the essential oil of Cordia verbenacea. European Journal of Pharmacology. 2007;569(3):228-236.
Passos GF, et al. Anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties of the essential oil and active compounds from Cordia verbenacea. The Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2007;110(2):323-333.
Campos C, et al. Effect of free and nanoencapsulated copaiba oil on monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology. 2017;69(2):79-85.
Kobayashi C, et al. Pharmacological evaluation of Copaifera multijuga oil in rats. Pharmaceutical Biology. 2011;49(3):306-313.
Hąc-Wydro, et al. (2017). Studies on the Behavior of Eucalyptol and Terpinen-4-ol—Natural Food Additives and Ecological Pesticides—in Model Lipid Membranes. Langmuir. doi:10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b00774
Legault J, Pichette A. Potentiating effect of beta-caryophyllene on anticancer activity of alpha-humulene, isocaryophyllene and paclitaxel.
Li Y, Xu YL, Lai YN et al. Intranasal co-administration of 1,8-cineole with influenza vaccine provide cross-protection against influenza virus infection. Phytomedicine. 2017 Oct 15;34:127-135. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2017.08.014. Epub 2017 Aug 18.
