Бальзам копаїби

More than twenty Copaifera species occur in Brazil. Copaifera officinalis is native to Bolivia, Brazil and Venezuela. Copaifera langsdorffii, also known as the diesel tree, is a tropical rainforest tree.

Copaiba oleoresin consists of a mixture of sesquiterpenes and diterpenes. The sesquiterpenes and diterpenes differ from one Copaifera species to another. Beta-caryophyllene, considered a chemical marker of these oleoresins, is usually the major constituent. The oil consists primarily of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. It also contains significant amounts of alpha-bergamotene, alpha-copaene and beta-bisabolene. The main diterpenes reported are kaurenoic, hardwickiic, kovalenic, polyalthic and copalic acids. Copaiba is the primary source of copalic acid.

Copaiba is used in making varnishes and lacquers. It is used as an artist material, especially in oil paint recipes and in ceramic decoration. Within the Peruvian Amazon near Iquitos, copaiba is also used as an insect repellent. The production of copaiba oil is socially significant to the Amazon because it represents approximately 95% of Brazil's oil-resin production industry. Annual production of copaiba oil in the Amazon is estimated to be 500 tons per year. Copaiba oil is exported to other countries, including the United States, France and Germany. Copaiba oil has both an acute oral and dermal LD50 exceeding 5 g/kg, which classifies it as non-toxic. Copaiba oil is classed as safe for use as a flavoring agent in foods.

Copaiba oil-resins have been used in folk medicine since the 16th century by the natives of north and northeastern Brazil. Settlers in America reported that American Indians applied the oil in the navel of newborns and to the wounds of warriors after battles.

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Related: Amberwood · Andiroba · Bakhoor · Balsamic Notes · Benzoin Resinoid · Benzyl Benzoate · Benzyl Salicylate · Birch Tar