- Origin
- Mexico and Central America
- Traditions
- Maya healing knowledge, Curanderismo
Central America and the Caribbean · Other · № 817
Protium copal
Other · Central America and the Caribbean
Copal
Protium copal
Resin from tropical trees that is burned as incense at ceremonies.
Safety notes
Do not take internally. Burn only in a well-ventilated room.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Healing traditions of the Americas: Burn only in a ventilated room.
Preparation
The dried resin is burned on charcoal.
Use in traditions
Used for thousands of years by the Maya, the Aztecs and other Mesoamerican peoples in prayers, offerings and cleansing rituals; also in curanderismo.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Healing traditions of the Americas
Attributed effects
Burned in prayers, offerings and cleansing rituals (limpias); curanderos use the smoke against 'bad air' and fright (susto).
Preparation and amount
Dried resin on glowing charcoal.
Caution: Burn only in a ventilated room.