15 Copaiba Essential Oil Uses and Health Benefits

Can you believe that pain relief, inflammation and healthier skin can be found in a single essential oil? You may or may not be aware of the rising popularity of copaiba essential oil for have such a wide variety of uses. We’re about to take a look at 15 copaiba essential oil uses and health benefits. But first let’s take a look at what copaiba oil is and where it comes from.

About Copaiba Oil

Copaiba originates from a tree indigenous to Brazil. The resin from the copaiba tree is extracted through tapping into the heartwood of the tree. This happens in the same manner that rubber and maple syrup is extracted from their respective trees. Copaiba syrup or resin is then distilled in a process that isolates the essential oil for use.

The prevalent compound found in copaiba oil is beta caryophyllene, in fact, at 55% of the oil’s makeup. It is the highest concentration of the compound that can be found anywhere in nature. What is beta caryophyllene and what benefits do we derive from it? Beta caryophyllene is a cannabinoid, which are substances known for their relaxation and pain relieving properties. You might have already made the connection between beta caryophyllene and cannabis from the word root in cannabinoid.

With copaiba essential oil, you can get the pain relieving properties of a cannabinoid without the psychoactive side effects which often come with it. The other two main compounds contained in copaiba oil have additional benefits as well. Those two compounds are:

  • Copaene, which has antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic properties.
  • Humulene, which is used as a disinfectant in wound healing.

The combination of the three main compounds of copaiba oil is what makes it such a versatile and popular substance in the treatment of a number of different health and wellness concerns. Before we go into these copaiba essential oil uses, let’s look at some cautions concerning copaiba oil use.

essential oil

Precaution for Using Copaiba Essential Oil

Copaiba essential oil is not to be ingested. The primary compounds found in copaiba oil are safe when ingested in foods that contain them. However, ingesting those compounds in medicinal doses or high concentrations, like in copaiba essential oil, can have severe side effects. Some of them are stomach pains, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, tremor, groin pain, and sleeplessness. A few drops mixed into carrier oil and used topically or for inhalation is recommended for safe use.

15 Copaiba Essential Oil Uses and Health Benefits

Acne, Psoriasis and Eczema

One of the copaiba essential oil uses that will grab your attention is in the treatment of acne, psoriasis and eczema.

What to do:

  • Add a few drops of copaiba essential oil to a damp cotton ball.
  • Apply the solution to the affected areas.

How it works:

The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of copaiba oil help to significantly reduce and eliminate these common skin conditions.

Skin Elasticity

Skin elasticity is another item on the long list of copaiba essential oil uses.

What to do:

  • Just add a few drops to your regular skin creams and conditioners.
  • You can also use it on a damp cotton ball, like above, to target trouble spots.

How it works:

Copaiba’s healing properties work similar to vitamin E by enhancing the durability of skin tissue cells and making them more supple.

Healing Scars and Stretch Marks

You’ll be delighted to learn that another of the copaiba essential oil uses is found in the healing of scars and stretch marks.

What to do:

  • Add 3 drops of copaiba essential oil to 1 Tbsp of coconut or olive oil and apply it to the affected areas.
  • Repeat daily over the space of several months to see best results.

How it works:

As we mentioned above, copaiba’s healing properties help to strengthen skin tissue on the cellular level. It does this by making it more supple and elastic, which helps get rid of stretch marks and scars.

Treatment for Incontinence

Another of the surprising copaiba essential oil uses comes in the treatment for incontinence.

What to do:

  • Massage a few drops of copaiba essential oil into the lower abdomen before going to bed.

How it works:

Copaiba oil helps control the muscles in the urinary tract, which helps to regulate incontinence.

Combats Stress

Also included on our list of copaiba essential oil uses is its ability to combat stress.

What to do:

  • Use several drops of copaiba essential oil in an essential oil diffuser.
  • Place a few drops of oil on a cloth and place it near you, on your lap or on your chest.

How it works:

Breathing the honey-like scent of copaiba oil allows its cannabinoid properties to relieve feelings of anxiety and stress.

Immunity Boost

Immunity boosting is another viable addition to our list of copaiba essential oil uses.

What to do:

  • Inhale copaiba essential oil via a diffuser or using a cloth as suggested above.
  • You can also massage a dab on the skin above your lymph glands near your lower jaw and neck.

How it works:

The antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic properties present in the compound copaene help give your immune system a boost.

hand treatment

Lupus Symptom Treatment

Another powerful benefit coming from copaiba essential oil uses is in the treatment of lupus symptoms.

What to do:

  • Inhaled through a diffuser or cloth is one of the methods of use in this treatment.
  • Combine a few drops with 1 Tbsp of coconut or olive oil and massage it into areas of pain.

How it works:

The high concentration of beta-caryophyllene in copaiba oil makes it ideal as an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever for those suffering from lupus.

Arthritis Pain Relief

Bringing relief to arthritis pain is a major item on our list of copaiba essential oil uses.

What to do:

  • Combine 3 or 4 drops of copaiba oil in 1 Tbsp of coconut or olive oil.
  • Massage the mixture into affected areas.
  • Repeat as needed.

How it works:

Copaiba oil’s anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties have a more powerful effect than many over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers. All of these are without the side effects.

Cardiovascular Health

Believe it or not, copaiba essential oil uses include improving your cardiovascular health as well.

What to do:

  • Infuse and inhale copaiba essential oil on a regular basis.
  • You can add several drops to your warm bath as well.

How it works:

Copaiba essential oil helps to lower blood pressure related to stress and tension and also helps prevent atherosclerosis.

Sore Throat Relief

Sore throat relief is another item among our many copaiba essential oil uses.

What to do:

  • Add 2 drops to 1 tsp of organic, raw honey and swish the mixture around in your mouth for several minutes before spitting it out.
  • You can add a couple of drops to 1 cup of water and use it as a gargle as well.

Note: It is not recommended to ingest copaiba essential oil.

How it works:

Copaiba oil’s pain relieving, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties kick in to help rid you of your sore throat symptoms.

Wound and Bite Healing

An additional attribute of the many copaiba essential oil uses comes from wound and bit healing.

What to do:

  • You can use a dab on your finger and apply it to bites or stings.
  • Add a few drops to a moist cotton ball and then apply it to a wound.

How it works:

The combination of anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and cellular skin tissue enhancement cause copaiba oil to move beyond pain relief and into the process of healing.

Respiratory Health

Treatment for respiratory health issues are also on the list of copaiba essential oil uses.

What to do:

  • Inhale copaiba oil in a cloth or from an infuser.
  • Mix a few drops with 1 Tbsp of carrier oil and place it apply the mixture along your upper lip before going to bed.

How it works:

Besides its stress relieving and anti-inflammatory effects, copaiba oil also acts like a decongestant.

Sore Muscle Relief

Another on our list of copaiba essential oil uses is sore muscle relief.

What to do:

  • Create a liniment by mixing 3 to 4 drops of copaiba essential oil with each Tbsp of coconut or olive oil.
  • Massage the liniment into the affected area.
  • Repeat as needed.

How it works:

The anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties of copaiba essential oil certainly help with those sore muscles. But it can also effect healing to the muscle tissues.

Natural Diuretic

Acting as a natural diuretic is also among the many copaiba essential oil uses.

What to do:

  • Regularly make use of copaiba essential oil in your aroma therapy routine.
  • Mix it with your favorite carrier oil and massage it into your abdominal area.

How it works:

Copaiba oil as a natural diuretic helps to flush toxins from your liver and other vital organs. It makes them function at an optimum level.

nail treatment

Nail Fungus Treatment

The final, but in no way the least on our list of copaiba essential oil uses is as a fingernail and toenail fungus treatment.

What to do:

  • Saturate a cotton swab with a drop or two of essential oil and apply it to affected areas.
  • Use a separate swab for each hand or foot.
  • Repeat daily until the fungus is gone.

How it works:

The antifungal properties of copaiba oil can help get rid of nail fungus. It also promotes healthier nail and cuticle cellular tissue to ward off future infections.

A Final Word

The high concentration of beta-caryophyllene along with copaene and humulene in combination give copaiba oil its powerful pain relieving and healing properties. Because of its diversity of copaiba essential oil uses, it is one of several oils which ought to be included in your arsenal of home remedies.

If you have comments about the uses listed above or have discovered other uses for copaiba essential oil, please include them in the section below.

The images are from depositphotos.com.