The Best Anti-Cancer Essential Oil You’ve Never Heard Of?

Copaiba (pronounced co-pie-EE-ba) essential oil is not particularly well known in North America and many other parts of the world. If you haven’t heard of it, that’s not surprising. You may be interested to know, though, that recent research reveals copaiba essential oil to be one of the most promising new anti-cancer essential oils.

This is mainly due to the fact that copaiba is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory essential oils on the planet. Read on to discover some of the latest research on copaiba essential oil and ways to use it… so you’ll know exactly why you should include it in your anti-cancer arsenal!

Where Does Copaiba Essential Oil Come From?

Copaiba is derived from the sap or resin of a South American tree genus known as Copaifera officinalis, including Copaifera langsdorffii and Copaifera reticulata. The resin of the tree is harvested using a process similar to the way maple syrup and rubber are tapped. It is then gently steam distilled. Interestingly, copaiba is the only essential oil tapped directly from a tree in this manner.

It is a sustainable essential oil too − one copaiba tree is able to produce about 40 liters of resin (known as oleoresin) per year. That makes copaiba a sustainable essential oil because it can be harvested without harming the tree or the forest where it grows.

Copaiba has quite a subtle aroma, reminiscent of cinnamon and honey, tinged with a hint of wood similar to a very diluted cedar.

Historical Use of Copaiba

The use of copaiba resin by the natives of South America and even the Mayans has been documented since the 16th century. Its use probably goes back much further. In Brazil, healers used it for healing sore throats, tonsil infections, bronchitis, and many other inflammatory disorders. Amazonian healers known as curanderos traditionally used copaiba resin for pain relief, for its anti-inflammatory benefits, and for wound healing. They also used it as an antiseptic for the urinary tract and for the treatment of cystitis and bladder infections. Copaiba was even used to treat gonorrhea.

Exciting Research into the Healing Properties of Copaiba Essential Oil

The research being done with copaiba essential oil is pretty exciting. Most of the studies done thus far attest to the aforementioned anti-inflammatory benefits of copaiba. Science is also discovering, however, that copaiba is a nerve protector and it has anti-proliferative and anti-tumoral properties, among just some of its many benefits.

Potent Anti-Inflammatory

The most plentiful phytochemical (plant-based chemical) in copaiba is beta-caryophyllene. The presence of this phytochemical is what gives copaiba its anti-inflammatory action. There are many research papers indicating the anti-inflammatory benefits of copaiba. Cancer is an inflammatory process in the body, so any natural compound that can arrest or slow this process becomes a welcome ally. Copaiba’s natural anti-inflammatory properties means that it may reduce the inflammatory processes by which cancer can spread.

Neuroprotective Benefits

One interesting study reported in 2012 found that not only was copaiba a potent anti-inflammatory, it also had neuroprotective properties. For those undergoing chemotherapy, copaiba may offer some protection to the nervous system and brain, which are often damaged by such drugs.

Anti-Proliferative Properties

Copaiba has been noted to have anti-proliferative activity. This means that it can prevent the spread of cells, particularly malignant cells, into surrounding tissue. Research reported in December 2015 acknowledged that copaiba was indeed a potent anti-bacterial. But interestingly, the researchers also found it was able to kill MCF-7 breast cancer cells (these are estrogen receptor positive and progesterone receptor positive, infiltrating ductal carcinoma cells) better than doxorubicin (also known as Adriamycin or the “Red Devil”), a much-utilized chemotherapy drug for breast cancer.

Anti-tumoral Effects

A small animal study reported in September 2015 showed that beta-caryophyllene potently inhibited the growth of solid tumors and lymph node metastasis (spread) in mice with melanoma. An older study released in December 2007 revealed that beta-caryophyllene significantly increased anti-cancer activity against several cancer cell lines, including the aforementioned MCF-7 cells. In fact, researchers stated that “beta-caryophyllene potentiated [increased the effect of] the anticancer activity of paclitaxel,” a chemotherapy drug favored by many oncologists. The combination of beta-caryophyllene and paclitaxel increased the activity of paclitaxel by about ten-fold, helping it work better.

Psoriasis Improvement

A small clinical trial released in January 2013 indicated copaiba oleoresin reduced the pro-inflammatory cytokines associated with chronic psoriasis. Researchers noted “a significant improvement in the typical signs of this disease, i.e. erythema, skin thickness, and scaliness.”

Natural Pain Reliever  

An animal study released in July 2014 revealed that beta-caryophyllene significantly decreased pain. It had a long-term effect and no side effects, especially when used together with DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), a common fatty acid found in fish oils and flaxseed oil. Indeed, South American natives have been using copaiba for pain relief for centuries.

Wound and Scar Healing

A study published in January 2016 showed that copaiba demonstrated antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (also known as Golden staph). This is one of the most difficult and drug-resistant bacteria, currently rife in hospitals. Researchers noted that “even low concentrations of Copaiba oil effectively inhibited Staphylococcus aureus growth, supporting its potential use as a promising adjuvant in compounded topical formulations for wound and scar healing.”

6 Ways to Use Copaiba Essential Oil

1. Massage the oil directly into affected areas. Used trans-dermally (through the skin), essential oils are easily absorbed by the body within approximately 20 minutes.
2. Diffuse the oil into the room using a cool mist or ultrasonic diffuser. Do not heat essential oils as it diminishes their therapeutic benefits.
3. Drip a few drops of copaiba oil into the palms of your hands. Breathe it in deeply. It will be absorbed into your bloodstream rapidly, both through the skin and through the lungs and sinuses.
4. Apply copaiba to the soles of your feet. Because the soles of the feet have the largest pores, this is a good place to apply essential oils − especially before going to bed. They can be working as you are sleeping!
5. Put a few drops of copaiba into your bath water and have a good soak. This enables you to absorb the oil via the skin and also by inhaling the steam.
6. Copaiba is considered safe for internal use as well. In Brazil, copaiba resin is sold in gelatin capsules in pharmacies and is recommended for all types of internal inflammation, to ease stomach ulcers, and even for cancer. You can place several drops of copaiba oil into an empty gelatin capsule and take it internally (with food is best).

Precautions For Using Copaiba

Make sure your copaiba essential oil comes from a trusted source. Many of the oils found in South America have been adulterated to make them cheaper. Be sure that the company you purchase from uses only the essential oil derived from copaiba oleoresin. Ensure that no chemicals or other potential toxins are allowed into the essential oil.

Never apply essential oils anywhere near eyes or ears. This oil can sometimes irritate the skin a little in sensitive individuals so do a patch test on your skin to see if any reactions occur. Be sure to dilute with an organic carrier oil (such as olive or coconut oil) if you do have a skin reaction.

It is highly recommended that you work with someone knowledgeable in the use of essential oils. Also, do not rely on any essential oil as a stand-alone treatment for cancer. But used in combination with other therapies, both conventional and natural, essential oils can play an important role in the healing process.