Plant description

A heavily branched tree, growing up to 15-30 meters in height, grows in tropical regions of South America, in total there are about 35 varieties of this species, but only three are used in medicine. For medicinal purposes oleoresin is used, obtained by cutting or drilling holes in the trunk of the tree, oleoresin may have a pale yellow to golden brown color

Properties

- oleoresin is rich in essential oils, contains sesquiterpenes and diterpenes, it contains copalic acid, paracopain or kopainoferol acid only found in copaiba

- copaiba is the world's richest source of carophyllene - a compound with a strong anti-inflammatory effect

- copaiba has diuretic, antibacterial, disinfecting, anti-inflammatory, stimulating and expectorant properties

- in folk medicine oleoresin was applied externally to wounds, to stop bleeding, to skin irritation and psoriatic lesions, to various types of pains and against insect bites

In Brazil, copaiba is used as a strong antiseptic and expectorant (for diseases of the upper respiratory tract) and as an anti-inflammatory for diseases of the urinary tract

- it is also used in the case of internal inflammation and against stomach ulcers and tumors

- found application in the throat rinsing of upper respiratory tract infections

- in Peru, a few drops of oleoresin are added to a tablespoon of honey, thus obtaining a natural remedy for the throat