The copaiba tree is native to Latin America and West Africa, with a strong presence in the Amazon regions of Brazil. Also known as copaiba, pau-de-óleo, and copaiba oil tree, it is a large plant that can reach up to 40 meters in height and four meters in diameter, with a lifespan of about 400 years.
The fruits produced by the copaiba tree are black, oval seeds with a yellowish region. They are rich in lipids, but the most utilized product from this tree is the copaiba oil.
Copaiba oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the tree’s trunk, used for medicinal purposes in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. It serves functions such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing.
Oil Extraction
Unlike most vegetable oils extracted from fruit seeds, copaiba oil is produced in the plant’s stem. The oil-resin produced in the trunk acts as the plant’s defense against animals, fungi, and bacteria.
Extraction involves drilling the copaiba trunk, a process that must be done properly to avoid harming the tree. In the past, trunks were cut with an axe, leading to excessive deforestation and the death of trees, making recovery for further oil extraction impossible.
To address this, new techniques, such as using a drill, have been adopted to minimize harm to the tree, allowing for future oil extractions.
The oil extraction is done from older trees (over 100 years old) with dry branches at the top, as they contain higher oil quantities. Young copaiba trees lack oil and can be severely harmed if drilled.
When the trunk is drilled, the oil flows through the hole and is collected. After collection, the hole is sealed (preferably with clay) to prevent infections and insect attacks. Once recovered, the seal is removed for a new harvest of copaiba oil.
Uses and Benefits of Copaiba Oil
Copaiba oil, often dubbed the “balm of the Amazon,” is composed of 72% sesquiterpenes (hydrocarbons) and 28% diterpenes (carboxylic acids). Its composition may vary based on copaiba type, tree age, soil, among other factors.
Primary sesquiterpenes in the oil-resin include β-caryophyllene, responsible for anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and anti-edematous effects, and β-bisabolene, with analgesic action, among other compounds. These substances contribute to the oil’s aroma and its antiviral and anti-ulcer properties.
Diterpenes in copaiba oil are responsible for most therapeutic properties. Notable ones include copaiferic acid, copalic acid, calavenic acid, and colavenol. Copaiferic acid serves as a copaiba marker, present in all copaiba oils regardless of soil or tree type.
Benefits of copaiba oil for health include its potential as an antiseptic and antitetanus agent, expectorant properties, effectiveness against infections, anti-tumor capabilities, relief for rheumatism and muscular pains, and treatment of skin diseases. The oil can also help stop bleeding.
Uses of Copaiba Oil
Topically, copaiba oil aids in scar, cellulite, and stretch mark reduction. It can lighten marks and spots when mixed with other vegetable oils like rosehip oil.
It is an emollient, aiding in skin hydration and softness, regenerating collagen for improved skin elasticity and a youthful appearance.
Beyond personal care, copaiba oil is industrially used as a rich source of hydrocarbons. It is mixed with diesel oil for fuel and serves as a fragrance fixative in perfumes. The oil is also used in soap and shampoo production, approved as a food additive by the US Food and Drug Administration.
In dentistry, copaiba oil is used in cement formulations for fillings, preventing irritation and bacterial proliferation.
Copaiba Oil for Hair
It’s essential to use 100% natural and pure copaiba oil for all applications, avoiding harmful chemical substances.
In hair care, copaiba oil is beneficial, balancing oiliness, treating fungal infections, dandruff, and seborrhea on the scalp. It protects colored hair, leaving strands shiny and soft.
Side Effects
Ingesting copaiba oil in large doses can lead to digestive issues such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Essential copaiba oil should not be ingested, as it may cause more serious health problems.
