Gum Copal

Gum copal is a resin produced by the sap of forest tree in Indonesia. Due to common impurities and differences in regions, gum copal ranges in color from black to yellow to white. Gum copal has had a wide variety of uses in both past and present times. Primarily used as an incense by ancient civilizations, it also found use as an early form of glue, and traditional medicine for cases such as dysentery, stomach pains, dizziness, and fright.

Today, gum copal is popularly used as incense. It is also used as a varnish or waterproofing material. When it is heated with certain oils, it becomes nearly transparent. It also can be used as an ingredient in adhesives, perfumes, printing ink, paints, and films.

Gum copal is sold primarily two ways. The first way is as powder, which is usually mixed with turpentine to make varnish. The other way is as the natural "rocks" which can then be used in many different ways.