To the uninitiated, copal may be nothing more than the hardened resin of the Protium Copal tree. But to the indigenous peoples of Mexico and beyond, it is supremely sacred, known as the food of the gods, the sacrificial blood of trees, and a conduit to the heavens.
As Mexico’s wellness industry grows, so too does the interest in the tools and techniques of the region’s age-old healing methods. Though copal has played a role in healing the mind, body, and spirit for centuries, its evolution into everything from ceremony-centered wellness experiences to elevated spa treatments is just getting started.
Archaeologists and historians have always known of copal’s sacred significance among ancient peoples, finding evidence it was burned atop Aztec and Mayan pyramids and buried among the dead to help souls find their way in the afterlife. However, copal is much more than a relic of the past. In many Mexican households, copal is a staple on the Día de Muertos altar. For others, it is still used in its original ceremonial contexts.
Burning copal has long been associated with warding off evil spirits and connecting to the gods, making it an important part of energetic cleansing rituals. But copal also has its physical applications, and has long been applied more directly to the body in a number of ways to heal a host of common ailments. Now in modern wellness contexts, practitioners are incorporating it for both its physical and energetic cleansing properties.
“We are seeing such a big movement happening lately where people are becoming more and more open to learning from ancestral wisdom, especially from indigenous peoples, the original people,” said Marilia Moreno, host of Journey Within, an inspirational wellness travel series on JOURNY, available on Samsung Smart TV, Plex and Sling. “A lot of the things that are said to be part of ‘modern wellness’ actually come from these traditions, rituals like cacao ceremonies or temazcal.
Among the ancestral wisdom surging forth in new, modern applications is the power of copal. “I have seen copal appearing more and more in wellness spaces like sound healings, yoga classes, meditation rooms, and retreats,” she said. “When we light copal or any of these sacred plants with love, it becomes a connection to the earth, to the ancestors, and to the wisdom that has been shared with us.”
Copal’s modern applications are many, but one of its most meaningful uses is found at Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, located on a tranquil stretch of sea along Mexico’s Pacific Coast. Recently named by The World’s 50 Best as among the best hotels in the world, this 157-room luxury property weaves the sacred essence of copal into its holistic-minded wellness experience in deeply innovative ways.
“We strive to immerse our guests in the rich cultural heritage of Jalisco through experiences that are deeply tied to our land,” says Herve Fucho, Resort Manager at Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo. That starts with the preservation and protection of the land itself. Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo sits on its own 3,000-acre nature preserve, an impressive 98 percent of which remains untouched and undeveloped.
From the expanses of seaside wilderness on the private reserve comes the copal used in the treatments and experiences that have made the property such a sought-after destination among wellness seekers.
“The resinous scent of copal, sourced from the Papelillo Rojo trees found throughout the reserve, has long been treasured for its purifying and restorative qualities,” says Fucho. “It is drawn directly from the native terroir of our private nature reserve.”
“Used for centuries in the ancient rituals of Jalisco, copal has become the ethereal fragrance of Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, woven into our spa experiences and products and offering guests a memory forever linked to this extraordinary place.”
Naturally, the signature treatment at the spa at Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo is called El Copalli, after the word for copal in the ancient Nahuatl native to the area. It combines exfoliation, detoxification, and hydration while using copal-based products throughout the 90-minute treatment, bringing forward the resin’s healing properties on skin and soul.
In addition to their use in El Copalli, the property uses copal-based products throughout its extensive menu of spa treatments and wellness experiences, and makes them available for guests to purchase. Copal is also used in ways that would feel even more familiar to the area’s ancient people, such as the property’s Temazcal Experience.
Temazcalli, or “house of heat,” is an ancient Mesoamerican healing and cleansing ritual performed in a small, sweat lodge-like space. Despite its ancient roots, it has emerged in the past several years as one of the most popular wellness experiences in Mexico and beyond. Many of those who have experienced it express a renewed sense of mental clarity, relaxation, and emotional clearing afterward.
Though the temazcal experience can vary from place to place, at Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo it is led by a team of shamans and is offered for private or small-group sessions. Participants enter the temazcal, a symbol of the womb of Mother Earth, where they are led through the experience with heat, steam, herbs, and copal incense, emerging reborn.
The shaman-led experience speaks to the property’s mindful use of a natural element considered sacred for generations and still revered to this day. Beginning with its deep commitment to preserving the land where copal originates, Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo offers a glimpse into how to employ copal in a way that is both modern and deeply respectful of those sacred roots.
Moreno speaks to the importance of thoughtfully considering the application of these ancient practices in a modern context. “It is wonderful that people are connecting with copal, but it is not a decoration piece or something just for the smell,” she says. “These are not just scents, they are sacred practices that carry deep meaning.”
“It is very important to understand the roots, keep the tradition, honor the people who kept this wisdom alive, and always approach it with care and gratitude, because it is not just a trend.” When used respectfully, she says, “it is, in fact, a bridge to something older and much wiser.”