An exceptional addition to the resinous oils doTERRA offers, 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 in a similar way to how maple trees are for their syrup. The oleoresin is then steam distilled to produce the essential oil.
Copaiba essential oil is a incredibly versatile oil that has been used for centuries. See some of our 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. It can provide many incredible benefits to different systems in the body. Taking Copaiba essential oil internally can support 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 essential 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 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.
The Chemistry of Copaiba Essential Oil
The synergy of chemical constituents in Copaiba oil makes it unique. Copaiba oil's main chemical component is beta-caryophyllene, a chemical similar to cannabinoids found in cannabis that may protect nerve cells and have benefits for the cardiovascular and immune systems.* However, while caryophyllene is responsible for some of the bioactive properties of Copaiba oil, many of the other properties of the oil are thanks to the diterpenes uniquely found in Copaiba oil.
Where does Copaiba oil come from? Copaifera officinalis trees are evergreen trees native to Central and South America, where it flourishes best in tropical rainforest habitats (though it can grow in both wet and dry forests). The trees themselves are tall, with the potential to grow to more than 100 feet.
The Amazon rainforest represents over half of the planet’s remaining rainforests. doTERRA is proud to partner with a large network of copaiba harvesters that sustainably collect their oleoresin and ensure that the trees will be around for years to come.
Want to know more about the story behind Copaiba oil? Watch our behind the scenes sourcing video below to see how Copaiba oil is produced: