* Skin Health: One of the most notable and popular health benefits of copaiba essential oil is derived from its astringent property. Copaiba’s active components literally tighten the skin, which can help skin look younger, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and even strengthen the skin to prevent lesions or wounds as the body ages.
* Skin Appearance: Not only does it protect the skin and physically change it, copaiba essential oil also heals the skin and infuses the body with powerful nutrients and organic compounds that can eliminate the appearance of blisters, marks, and pimples. In fact, copaiba essential oil is often topically applied to scars in order to speed their healing and reduce their visibility.
*Psoriasis : 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.”
* Respiratory Health: In an aromatherapy context, copaiba essential oil is often turned to by people suffering from some sort of congestive problem or respiratory issue. When inhaled, the soothing nature of the copaiba essential oil, which is famed as an anti-inflammatory substance, can ease any discomfort and loosen the tensed muscles and glands that might be causing the irritation.
* Pain Relief: This seems to be something that everyone looks for, but few people find. Copaiba essential oil is a wonderful analgesic and has been used in this capacity for generations. Whether in an aromatherapeutic context or when topically applied, the oil can help to reduce pain and loosen muscles, eliminating pain in joints, and even easing the discomfort of headaches and migraines.
* Antifungal: When it comes to fungal infections, there aren’t too many essential oils that can do the trick, but the unique terpene structures found in copaiba essential oil are very effective as antifungal agents. If you suffer from athlete’s foot or any sort of nail fungus, applying some copaiba essential oil should significantly speed up the healing process and protect you from future infections.
* Lower Blood Pressure: If you are interested in boosting heart health and reducing your chances of experiencing a heart attack or a stroke, then adding some copaiba to your aromatherapy ritual or essential oil regimen might be a very wise choice. The anti-inflammatory, soothing nature of copaiba essential oil can help to relieve the tension and strain in your blood vessels, allowing blood pressure to drop and the strain to disappear from your cardiovascular system. This helps to prevent atherosclerosis, which is one of the leading causes of strokes and coronary heart disease.
*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.*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.
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[[Category:herbal medicine]]
[[Category:Aromatherapy]]
[[Category:Essential oil]]