Copal Latin Name: Bursera sp., Protium sp. Other Names: Mayan Copal, True Copal, Pom, Black Copal, White Copal, Yellow Copal, Gold Copal Family: Burseraceae Parts Used: resin, sap Aroma: rich, resinous, earthy, sweet, piney-lemony Organ/System Affiliation: skin, muscular, respiratory Physiological Effects: analgesic(topical), anti-fungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, antiviral, astringent, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, insect-repellant, vasodilator, vulnerary O rue Copal is a very hard tree resin used as incense and medicine Tby tribal healers, and spiritual and religious peoples throughout Mexico, Central and South America.

It is derived from several different used around the world to generally species of flowering shrubs and trees describe tree resins that are hardened native to Mexico, Central America, but have not yet turned into amber and northern parts of South America. (fossilized resin). Therefore, there are Copal-producing trees grow anywhere many resins named Copal originat- between 10 and 80 feet tall. There is ing from Asia and North America as much confusion around the identi- well. Most of these Copal resins share fication of different Copal varieties similar properties but have distinction since the name Copal is also broadly in their own natures and aromas. The

Materia Aromatica

‘true’ Copal resins, however, originate of the trees. A leaf cup is placed at the from Mesoamerica, Columbia, Peru, bottom of the cut to collect the precious Venezuela, and Brazil, to name a few. ‘blood of the tree’. Often times, tears of the sap dry directly on the tree and are In indigenous societies from the harvested. The resin collected in leaf regions listed above, sap is collected basins is pounded into a thick paste for incense and other holy purposes and traditionally stored in the holy by making shallow cuts on the trunks houses. Mainstream harvest methods are similar yet less rich in tradition.

Histories and Stories of Copal from the Tree of Life and gave it to Copal has a rich history in the cele- the humans as a gift. It is considered brations, ceremonies, medicine, and very sacred and is often referred to incense traditions of the ancient Maya, as “Food of the Gods”. It has been Aztecs, and many other First Peoples widely used in many spiritual tradi- of Mexico, Central America, and South tions for thousands of years for offer- America. Copal had various uses ings, divination purposes, connecting throughout these regions, ranging to the divine, spiritual healing, and from everything spiritual, to practical much more. Among the many indig- crafting uses as a binder, glue, and even enous tribes of Mexico and Central a building material. Due to its strength America, Copal is definitely the most and durability, many people would use common offering to deities, spirits, Copal as a sacred carving medium for and ancestors. In modern Mexican holy figurines, deities, amulets, talis- culture, Copal resin is still used as a mans, jewelry or other esoteric items. common offering to the spirit world.

To the ancient Maya, the divine God The Apache and Sioux tribes of North of the Earth extracted Copal resin America used to trade their crafts for Copal from Mexico, which they Copal used exclusively in their sweat lodge dermatitis, rashes, itch, burns, insect rituals as a holy incense. Copal is still bites, fungal and bacterial infections, heavily used today in the Dia de los and is even an efficient topical anal- Muertos, or Day of the Dead celebra- gesic in the treatment of arthritis, tion in Mexico for its ability to ‘ferry rheumatism, gout, and muscular the dead’ to the afterlife. It has been aches and pains. traditionally used by medicine people in exorcisms, banishing malevolent In many different Native tribes, Copal spirits, cleansing, and smudging. resin has been used to treat wounds When the Catholic Church came to and sores. It keeps the area clean the Americas, it eventually adopted while staving off any possible infec- Copal resin into its rites and rituals, tions, and is also known to speed up replacing the traditional Frankincense the healing process. Many conven- and Myrrh with the local holy incense. tional doctors who have been turned Exorcisms and divine uses of Copal on to the healing properties of Copal were and still are used to this day in by indigenous patients, have begun hybridized Tribal-Christian religions. to incorporate the resin into their In addition to its vast popularity as a practice. Ongoing studies have been spiritual ally, Copal has been used as proving its many pain-reducing and medicine for several different ailments healing abilities as a topical medicine. by tribal healers and shamans of Mesoamerica. The most common traditional appli- cations of Copal in folk medicine are Medicinal Uses bathing the patient in its thick plumes Copal’s strongest medicinal proper- of smoke (smudging) or applying ties are expressed through its exter- an ointment or paste topically. The nal applications for various skin smoke is applied over the body to disorders. It is used to treat eczema, cure various illnesses, to protect against sorcery and misfortune, and gum to treat mouth sores, unhealthy to cleanse the body after contact with gums, gingivitis, and cavities. the ritually unclean, especially sick persons and corpses (Wisdom, 1950). Magical and Metaphysical Uses Copal is traditionally used in ceremo- “Huastec Mayan medicine people use nial settings as a clearer of energies. Copal in the treatment of headache, It is used to dispel negative or dark fever, nosebleed, stomach ache, topi- energies and protect participants of cally for burns, and for predicting rituals against malevolent spirits. In rain by its flowering”(Alcorn, 1984). different cultures, it is used to stim- The Guarani people of the Amazon ulate creativity and imagination and use Copal to treat wounds after opens one up spiritually to receive battle, indicating its strong protective visions and higher wisdom from and healing qualities. spiritual realms. They say that it has the power to bring light to the dark- Copal’s ancient use as a fumigant ness of the soul. hints at it having decongestant prop- erties. It was often given to patients There is vast supporting evidence suffering from asthma, bronchitis, that suggests Copal has been colds, and nasal congestion. The employed to induce trance-like states potent aroma of Copal incense is said by shamans and medicine people for to relieve anxiety, stress, and depres- centuries, even millennia. It is used sion by soothing troubled thoughts for personal energetic and physical and an over-active mind. At the same protection, and in the protection of time, its uplifting fragrance leaves property and food stores. Nodules of one with feelings of rejuvenation the resin are often placed in the four and invigoration of the spirit. It has corners of store houses and granaries also been used as a type of chewing to protect a farmer’s harvest. Copal

Copal is often used by the Chorti, and southern Huasteca region (Sandstorm, many other tribes, to assure success- 1991). Traditional Otomi healers read ful hunting. “Before the hunter sets the symbols and patterns in the smoke out, he must have a dream, in which to diagnose a patient’s disease. In the deer-god informs him of the price Mexican Folk traditions, Copal is also he must pay for the animal. He is told used to treat a broken heart. In this that he must pay a certain number of case, a ceremony takes place where the “pesos” of copal gum. The hunter use of various spiritual tools prepare prepares his copal pesos and burns the patient energetically before the them at midnight before his altar, burning of Copal takes place. As the offering them to both the saints and Copal burns, its smoke bathes the the deer-god” (Wisdom 1940). patient, clearing the built-up negative energies that lead to difficult emotions, Reading the patterns in the smoke which dissipate as the smoke clears, of burning Copal resin is a common bringing balance and light to the form of divination in some areas of the emotional and energetic heart.

O If you enjoyed this plant monograph and would like 19 more on plants like Frankincense, Balm of Gildead, Palo Santo, Juniper, Patchouli, Agarwood, and Myrrh, I invite you to pick up a copy of my ebook, Materia Aromatica. In this unique book is over a decade of my personal experience with plant medicine, aromatherapy, and incense, my deep study of incense traditions and medical systems around the world, work with incense masters from different cultures, and being founder of one of America’s most loved incense companies, Higher Mind Incense.

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