There are 35 species of Copaifera, found mainly in tropical South America. The oleoresin can be harvested by tapping into the wood of the trunk and collecting the resin that drips out- a single copaiba tree can provide about 40 liters of oleoresin annually. Indigenous tribes in Amazonia use it to heal wounds, skin soares, psoriasis, stop bleeding, cool inflammation, and pain. In Brazil's traditional medicine, it was used to treat respiratory conditions, urinary tract infections, and skin inflammation; in Peruvian traditional medicine it was also used with hoeny to treat sore troat. The Jesuits brought back the resin to Europe in 1625 and was used to treat chronic cystitis, bronchitis, chronic diarrhea, and as a topical preparation for hemorrhoids. In the United States, it was listed as an official drug in the U. S. Pharmacopeia from 1820 to 1910 and used "as a disinfectant, diuretic, laxative, and stimulant-in addition to being used in cosmetics and soaps." The Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients cites that copaiba has diuretic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, disinfectant, and stimulant activities. http://www.rain-tree.com/copaiba.htm