Of the raw materials used to make incense, copal is possibly one of the most historical and magical. Copal incense dates back to pre-Hispanic times, an important part in the Mesoamerica region, in its offerings and rituals.
The incense of copal has been considered, until today, as a bond of union between the divine and the earthly, a perfect channeler of energies. The copal incense was an indispensable element in the worship of these people to offer gods, clean temples, funerals, etc. There was no ceremony or important episode in these towns without the powerful fragrance of copal incense; For example, the Inca people burned the copal resin in gold plates as an offering to the sun.
Very old books made of tree barks, called codices, show drawings of village life where you can see how gods or priests offered copal. In addition to being used as incense, other uses have been discovered, for example, offerings have been found that have copal in the form of small tortillas, tamales or corn grains. Therefore, scholars of the ancient Inca and Maya cultures think that copal was considered food for the gods.
Although it has been discovered that copal was also used as glue
to make inlays in the masks and mixed with pigments was used to make paintings for the murals.
Copal. Vegetable resin
Copal is a vegetable resin obtained from trees and shrubs of the botanical genus Bursera. Within this genus they are included within the family of the Burseraceae of the order of the Sapindales. Burseráceas have compound and aromatic leaves.
The resin of this type of tree, springs naturally in the trunk bark, and is highly prized since antiquity to make incense, perfumes and remedies. The collection process consists of removing these crystalline particles from the leaves and wood. In this way a milky and aromatic product is collected, which in the future will be part of the well-known copal incense.
Benefits of copal incense
Incense has become an indispensable element. Nowadays nobody doubts the positive effect on the human being, as long as they are natural.
In the case of copal, its properties determine a series of very interesting benefits. Below we will list some of these important favors that we provide:
- Cleansing agent, enhances harmony.
- Purifies the environment: it is used to clean rooms.
- Balance the state of the mind.
- Increase concentration and relaxation.
- Powerful channeling of energies, ideal to enter into states of meditation.
- Fight stress and insomnia.
The incense of copal is one of the most used, thanks to its condition of emotional stabilizer and without a doubt, one of the most beneficial natural elements for the human being.
