copaiba balsam

Scope note: A viscous, oleoresin obtained from South American deciduous trees of the genus Copaifera, native to the Amazon valley and banks of the Orinoco river. The volatile oil and resin contain one or more of the followings acids: illuric, metacopaivic, copaivic, and oxycopaivic. Copaiba balsam was brought to Europe in the 17th century for medicinal use; in the mid-19th century it was used with ethanol vapor as a varnish cleaner for oil paintings with blanched and cracked surfaces, and in the early 20th century as a glossy additive in paint media, although use has been discontinued because it produced damaging long-term effects. Copaiba balsam is currently used to make tracing and photographic papers.

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