If you happen to be a believer in Ayurvedic medicine or other similar practices, you must be aware of what copal resin is and its relevance to some cultures and societies. In a nutshell, it is a tree extract that has grown in popularity in different areas of the world and has become available in various forms. But primarily, copal resin has been mainly used for what many believe is its therapeutic purposes, and is commonly burned for its smoke.
It is no stranger to different cultures as well, and as expected, gained further traction and popularity when it reached American and European shores in the early 20th Century. But if you want to know more about copal resin, its uses, and health benefits, spare some time to read through this article and all the information you may deem to be relevant.
The use of copal resin dates back to the era of pre-Colombian Mesoamerica, primarily for sacred ceremonies as a form of incense, but its origins can be traced back to ancient Mexico and its indigenous people. For them, the copal resin as incense was a manner of opening and enriching their souls, as well as to clear their minds from life’s daily stresses.
When burned, the white smoke that copal resin emanates is also believed to be a tool for humans to communicate with their own version of the Higher Power which they call “the Great Mystery.” In some cultures, this product has also been used for aromatherapy.
It is quite a fascinating practice, considering how easily accessible copal resin is, and because of that, many other ways of using it have been discovered. Apart from what is believed to be its healing qualities, it has also been used as a form of varnish to embellish wood furniture, as well as a substitute for amber to enhance jewelry.
Whether you intend to use it as a healing product, an essential element for a sacred ritual, or even to just enhance your wooden furniture, having some copal resin in hand can definitely go a long way for you. The best part about it is that you can simply scrape it out from a tree, and voila, you have your very own product that you can use for whatever purpose you may have for it.
If you are curious about how to burn it, you will have no trouble at all since it can ignite on its own, but you will still need to use a match or a lighter and put it under open flame for at least 20 seconds. You can also make use of a bowl or incense burner to bring out that woody, and what some describe as a “slightly-hypnotic” aroma to life. Just a simple piece of friendly advice, though: since it still involves fire, try not to play with it too much to avoid serious damage.
