Copal Resin: Spiritual Powers and Uses

The term “ copal ” comes from the ancient language once spoken by the Aztecs. In this alone we can imagine the powers, mysteries and amazing properties that we are going to talk about in this article.

A sort of transparent resin, copal can be used in the form of incense and balm, or used to make remedies.

In reality, it was all the pre-Columbian peoples who used this product for its many virtues. The Mayans, for example, knew it under the name “pom”, which could be translated as “ spirit of the sky ”.

More than a simple herbal product, copal is therefore also something spiritual which has occupied a special place in certain religions.

We will discover all this (and much more) today together!

Tables of contents :

• General information about copal
• Different colors of copal
• The tree species at its origin
• Uses of this resin
• Lucky charm featured in this article

General information about copal

To give you an idea directly, here is the copal resin that we offer to our community. The sheet associated with it also describes its main spiritual uses.

Whether we are talking about the Aztec, Mayan or Zapotec civilizations, however, they saw copal as a gift from the gods. This substance was therefore used with the greatest respect, generally during religious ceremonies or as an offering.

It also seems that copal was used in the context of magic... but historians obviously cannot confirm this given the current doxa. The fact remains that certain elements are disturbing. In particular, the essential oils extracted from it are renowned for their fragrance, yes, but also their purifying effect.

In short, if this resin is highlighted to this extent, it is undoubtedly thanks to its numerous properties. To count them all would take hours but, to put it simply, it is a formidable remedy capable of treating dozens and dozens of ailments. Some have even gone so far as to call it a panacea, which shows its power.

At the botanical level, copal is in fact the natural resin (understandably, fossilized sap) of certain trees native to Central America.

Ranging in color from golden yellow to an almost white beige, including amber brown, there are several types... and we are now going to describe them.

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Different colors of copal

The term “copal” refers to a whole range of resin with different colors and properties.

There are many ways to classify them, and we are going to see the two main ones, starting with their color.

If you don't have more information on it, analyzing the color of your copal is without the best way to get an idea of ​​its quality.

Concretely, there are several colors which will give you different information:

• Golden (or amber) copal : This variety is mainly used in the manufacture of incense because it produces a heavy and dense smoke. This type of copal is mainly found in South America, it is the one that most ancient peoples used during their rituals.
• White (or transparent) copal : With a finer, more delicate smell, white copal is undoubtedly the most sought after and the most practical for daily use. Today it is mainly present in Mexico and on the plateaus of the Andes mountain range.
• Black (or night) copal : Due to its color, this type of copal was mainly used to pay homage to the dead, or as offerings to the gods of the night. It was customary in certain regions of Mexico to burn the deceased with a little black copal, so that it would serve as spiritual nourishment or during their journey to the afterlife.

Really, the differences and variations within the same product can be significant. So imagine what it is like to understand a broader pharmacopoeia! The study of the medicinal virtues of plants is a part of modern esotericism which can require decades of study.

It is exactly for this reason (to make things easier for you, to help you see things more clearly) that we have dedicated this part of our store to certain herbs and their uses.

The tree species at its origin

If we can classify copal by its color, it is undoubtedly even more relevant to do so according to its tree of origin.

There is indeed “real” and “false” copal. Although they all have the name, some types of resin actually have little to do with Aztec culture.

To see things more clearly, here is a list of the main types of copal which, today, are produced by different tree species:

• Protium copal (protium crassipetalium) : It seems that this copal was the most used by pre-Columbian civilizations. Archaeologists have indeed found traces of its cultures in numerous Mayan ruins. They even gave it a name, tepecopalquauitl.
• Puebla copal (boswellia burseracea) : Quite easy to cultivate, this species native to South America can now be found on many farms around the world.
• Breuzinho (protium heptaphyllum) : A species of copal found in the Brazilian rainforest.
• The jatoba (hymenea courbaril) : This tree also grows in Brazil. Because of its similarity to incense, copal known as “jatoba” is used in some Latin American churches.
• Saumerio (dacryodes peruviana ): A species of copal very widespread in Peru is saumerio, which comes from the term “saumar” and can be translated as “to smoke”.
• Manila copal (agathis alba): This resin is obtained from trees growing in the Philippines. Even though the properties are similar, it is therefore not really traditional copal.
• Kauri copal : This resin comes from the kauri spruce, native to Australia and New Zealand. Same consideration as in the previous point.
• Copal from Africa : Zanzibar, Ethiopia, Madagascar or Mozambique… many regions of Africa produce copal which was also not used by the ancient Aztecs.

Uses of this resin

Copal has been used in America for centuries. Obviously, many properties have been found over time. The virtues of its essential oil are well known and thousands of individuals have used it for combustion.

In the form of cones, sticks or more "raw", copal will offer the same virtues of purification, fight against negative waves and organic development of well-being.

The ailments that copal gum combats

We told you: this resin has long been used as a remedy and seems capable of combating certain ailments. We are not doctors, and what follows is therefore only intended to provide information on certain uses that may have been made of it.

In short, copal could be used to combat disorders such as:

• Asthma
• Diarrhea
• Colds
• Infections in general (by its antiseptic properties)
• Fertility problems

Physical properties of copal

Nowadays, many other properties have been found in copal resin, and here are some of them:

• In fumigation, it knows how to repel insects and other pests
• It is used in the production of certain lacquers
• Many dental care products use copal
• It also allows the production of color pigments
• Many artisanal jewelry items are made from this substance
• Perfumes, musk and fragrances: perfumery widely uses copal. In particular, its smell goes well with those of cinnamon, myrrh or sandalwood.

Spiritual properties of copal

Besides all this, don't forget what copal is in its essence: a sacred product, linked to the divine and to certain things invisible to ordinary mortals.

Here is a final list of uses of copal, this time more spiritual :

• The Mayans used it to honor the Sun
• Apparently its smoke can cause altered states of consciousness
• Certain deities are linked to copal
• This resin could often have been used as an offering
• Mixed with other ingredients, it would allow you to communicate with spirits
• In general, it wards off bad energy

Conclusion

Mayan spirituality was in any case rich and complex. Proof of this is the use she was able to make of copal!

If you want to explore the subject, here is some information from the encyclopedia vikidia.org.

In any case, we sincerely hope that you have enjoyed reading this article... and above all, that you have learned more about copal, its history and its many properties!

Lucky charm featured in this article