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
T rue Copal is a very hard tree resin used as incense and medicine
by 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
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edge for using incense for your own benefit or the benefit of others, whether
you use incense in a spiritual or meditation practice, in your aromatherapy or
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Learn more and claim your copy of Materia Aromatica here:
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