Copaíba Oil

The Copaíba tree is a tree up to 20 meters high with thick branches, which grows in the Amazon region both in dry forests and in swamp areas. Known in the Amazon for centuries, the oil was first mentioned in Europe in 1625 by a Portuguese monk and was part of the standard assortment in pharmacies until the 19th century. Copaíba oil is an essential oil extracted from the resin of the Copaíba tree and is popular in the cosmetics industry for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Copaíba – Traditionally very effective

Copaíba balsam was used orally or as an ointment in folk medicine. For example, mixed with honey, it was given to newborns to give them wisdom and protect them from witches.

For indigenous people, Copaíba has a long history of treating psoriasis, fungal diseases, and other skin conditions. It was valued for its anti-inflammatory properties and used as an antibiotic.

Recent studies confirm that Copaíba oil in topical formulations is effective for treating infected wounds, including against antibiotic-resistant strains.

Traditionally, it has been used for coughs, bronchitis, to strengthen the immune system, acne, skin blemishes, massage oil for muscle and joint inflammation, gastritis, urinary tract infections, neurodermatitis, dermatitis, nail fungus, periodontal disease, caries bacteria.

Copaíba oil – useful (almost) everywhere

In veterinary medicine, it is effective as a worming agent for dogs and hoofed animals.

The essential oil is used as a fixative in soap and perfume.

Copaíba oil is also used in painting. The mixture of Copaíba, turpentine and lavender holds better on ceramic vessels.

Today, Copaíba oil has an economic importance and accounts for 95% of Brazil’s oil products, which is about 500 tons/year and is exported to a large extent.

How is Copaíba oil extracted?

The resin is extracted from the stems of different Copaifera species. The oil of Copaifera officinalis is of interest for cosmetics.

A fully grown tree of the Copaifera genus yields 4 -5 liters of resin per year.

To extract the resin, a hole is drilled to the center of the tree and the balsam that flows out is collected. It has an oily consistency, which is why it is called Copaíba oil or Copaíba for short.

Valuable ingredients and effects

Copaíba balsam is a viscous, yellow-brown or green-gray liquid that hardens on contact with air. It has a woody, slightly spicy fragrance and consists of 40-90 percent essential oils, resins, bitter substances. The pure Copaíba balsam from wild collection may contain 50 percent diterpenes, sesquiterpenes and terpenic acid. Predominant is the β-caryophyllene. Other components include copaivic acid, copalic acid, calamenes, hardwickic acid, and kaurenic acid. Some of the phytochemicals are found in this combination only in copaíba balsam.

The essential oil is to be distinguished from this. It is obtained by distillation from the raw balsam. The main components are caryophyllene as well as essential oils, e.g., α-bergamotene, α-copaene, β-bisabolene. The essential oil has stimulating, antiseptic, disinfecting effects, but may cause allergies.

Copaíba – natural CBD

Copaíba contains significantly more β-caryophyllene than hemp products: 480,000 parts per million (ppm) of β-caryophyllene, which is known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, and astringent effects. Thus, it surpasses cannabis oil at 120,000 ppm.

β-Caryophyllene is one of the CB2 cannabinoids. These have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, but have no influence on the CB1 receptor. That is why there is no intoxicating effect as with cannabis. Since Sergio Rasman of the University of Neuchâtel discovered this fact in 2005, the natural substance has become important for the development of new medicines.

However, when used internally, no more than 2 drops should be taken three times a day, otherwise abdominal pain and diarrhea may occur as side effects.

The balsam is non-toxic and a safe food additive according to the Food and Chemical Codex.

In a 2012 study, Copaíba oil was found to be bacteriostatic against Streptococcus mutans at low concentrations.

Disadvantages

Copaíba oil is often cut with glycerin and alcohol or offered as an essential oil.

In copaíba oil, due to thermal treatment and the high boiling point of β-caryophyllene at 260°C, other substances may evaporate or change in structure. As a result, allergic reactions may occur.

Sustainable extraction is important. Tapping with a hand drill and then plugging the hole with clay or charcoal-soil mixture are necessary to prevent infestation by fungi and other pests, to avoid damaging the plant, and to ensure continuous production.

Noticeably thick oil may be an indication of inferior quality. Oxidation and subsequent polymerization cause the oil to thicken. Many mono- and sesquiterpenes are volatile and the density of active ingredients is lower due to external influences such as light and oxygen.

The Copaíba tree is endangered in its existence because the luxurious wood is valued, but on the other hand it is also sought after for heating or as biodiesel.

Therefore, it is always necessary to pay attention to the origin of the balsam from fair cooperations.

Cosmetic use

Copaíba oil is quickly absorbed and leads to a noticeable moisturizing of the skin. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.

As a film former, it creates a continuous film on skin, hair, nails.

Consequently, it is well suited in products against impure skin, anti-acne products, masks as well as in sun creams, moisturizing creams or bath products with a lasting moisturizing effect, bath/shower oil for colds, as a massage oil, in aromatherapy or also as a high-quality oil in active cosmetics and dermocosmetics.

At the manufacturer Beraca, which offers high-quality components from the Brazilian rainforest for cosmetics, we have found some interesting combinations of active ingredients with Copaíba.

Triple A – against impure skin/acne

A complex of Copaíba. Andiroba and Açaí for use in products for the care of oily and acne-prone skin.

After 56 days of use, there was a 43% decrease in skin impurities.

In addition, Beraca uses Copaíba balm in combination with Brazil nut oil at a concentration of 2% to treat dry or oily dandruff. Within two weeks of eight applications of the complex, dandruff was reduced by 80%. The effect is essentially due to the antiseptic, antiseborrheic and anti-inflammatory properties of Copaíba. In this context, this article on head dandruff may also be of interest.”

Due to its masking property, the oil can mask the basic odor of products.

Fact Sheet Copaíba Oil

INCI: Copaifera Officinalis Resin Oil

CAS number: 9000-12-8, 8000-61-4

Origin: Brazil

Plant of origin: Copaifera officinalis

Description: Oleoresin, light, viscous, clear liquid

Odor: spicy

Extraction: tapping

Main constituent: copaivic acid (Acidum copaivicum), various resin acids, β-caryophyllene and essential oils

Effect: anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antifungal

Uses: Skin care, especially impure skin, anti-dandruff

Copaíba Oil is ideally suited for the production of your cosmetics. Together with Cosmacon you will develop your product, so that it will certainly be a successful start to building your own brand.

We like to work with these Copaíba containing raw materials:

Copaíba oil – high quality, naturally effective cosmetics

Up to now, Copaíba oil has been rather little used in terms of its potential in cosmetics. Yet it can be especially valuable in the care of skin prone to impurities and inflammation. In hair care, it is recommended as an anti-dandruff agent. Due to its film-forming properties, it is suitable for products that should remain on the skin for a longer time to take effect. When using Copaíba in high quality cosmetics, its good origin is essential. Cosmacon will help you find the appropriate source and advise you on any formulation issues.

Sources:

Antimicrobial / Antibacterial – natural antibiotic:

Antimicrobial potential of Copaiba Oil (Copaifera multijuga Hayne-Leguminosae) against bubaline mastitis multiresistant isolates.; DIVÂNIA F.F. DE OLIVEIRA, THIAGO P. NASCIMENTO, CLÁUDIO HENRIQUE RODRIGUES, JUANIZE M.S. BATISTA, TATIANA P.S.L. LIU, ELIZABETH S. DE MEDEIROS, RINALDO A. MOTA, ROMERO MARCOS P.B. COSTA, TATIANA S. PORTO, CAMILA S. PORTO & ANA LÚCIA F. PORTO. An Acad Bras Cienc 2020, 92(4).

Antimicrobial terpenoids from the oleoresin of the Peruvian medicinal plant Copaifera paupera.; Tincusi BM, Jiménez IA, Bazzocchi IL, Moujir LM, Mamani ZA, Barroso JP, Ravelo AG, Hernández BV. Planta Med. 2002 Sep;68(9):808-12.

Antimicrobial activity of Brazilian copaiba oils obtained from different species of the Copaifera genus.; Santos AO, Ueda-Nakamura T, Dias Filho BP, Veiga Junior VF, Pinto AC, Nakamura CV.  Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2008 May;103(3):277-81.

Antimicrobial activity of copaiba oil (Copaifera reticulata) against coagulase positive Staphylococcus of canine otitis.; Rosangela E. Ziech, Luana D. Farias, Cláudia Balzan, Magnos F. Ziech , Berta M. Heinzmann, Osmar A. Lameira, Agueda C. de Vargas. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 2013, 33(7):909-913.

Antifungal

Antifungal activity of Copaíba resin oil in solution and nanoemulsion against Paracoccidioides spp.; Braz J Microbiol 2020, 51, 125–134

Anti-inflammatory / antioxidant -strengthens immune system & vitality, gastroprotective, anti-arthritis

Inhibitory Effects of β-Caryophyllene onHelicobacter pylori Infection In Vitro and In Vivo.; Hyun Jun Woo, Ji Yeong Yang, Min Ho Lee, Hyun Woo Kim, Hye Jin Kwon, Min Park, Sung-kyu Kim, So-Young Park,  Sa-Hyun Kim,  Jong-Bae Kim. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21, 1008.

β-Caryophyllene Mitigates Collagen Antibody Induced Arthritis (CAIA) in Mice Through a Cross-Talk between CB2 and PPAR-γ Receptors.; Irrera N, D’Ascola A, Pallio G, Bitto A, Mazzon E, Mannino F, Squadrito V, Arcoraci V, Minutoli L, Campo GM, Avenoso A, Bongiorno EB, Vaccaro M, Squadrito F, Altavilla D.  Biomolecules. 2019 Jul 31;9(8):326.

β‐Caryophyllene, the major constituent of copaiba oil, reduces systemic inflammation and oxidative stress in arthritic rats.; Ana P. Ames-Sibin, Camila L. Barizão, Cristiane V. Castro-Ghizoni,  nFrancielli M. S. Silva, Anacharis B. Sá-Nakanishi, Lívia Bracht,  Ciomar A. Bersani-Amado, Maria R. Marçal-Natali, Adelar Bracht, Jurandir F. Comar. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry 2018, 119(3).