Amanda Frayer artisan // illustrator // designer

Jatobá is common to the Caribbean, Central, and South America. Although it is sometimes referred to as Brazilian Cherry or South American Cherry, it is not a cherry tree. Depending on the locale, Jatobá is also known as Copal, South American Locust, or the West Indian Locust. The Latin name Hymenaea is derived from the Greek word “Hymen” for the god of marriage. It refers to the green leaflets that always occur in matching pairs.

Jatobá produces an orange, resinous, sticky gum that converts to amber over millions of years. As portrayed in the Jurassic Park movies, this amber provides scientists many clues to prehistoric Earth as well as extinct insects and plants encased in it.

Indigenous tribes have long used this aromatic resin in magic rituals, love potions and in wedding ceremonies. Ancient Mayans and Aztecs used it in rituals of purification and sanctification, as a burnt offering on top of their pyramids. In Mexico today, it is still burned as incense to honor the dead during Los Dias de los Muertos. This practice is believed to help guide the dead back to their earthly homes.

Jatobá is sometimes called Stinking Toe, Old Man’s Toe or Stinktoe, because of its seedpods that look like bulbous toes. The mealy pulp around the seeds, although foul smelling, is edible and good tasting. Children often eat it. In El Salvador, it sells in food markets, but is known by a more appetizing name, copinol. Indians of the rainforest use jatobá bark and leaves for a number of medicinal treatments. It is considered a vigorous energy-boosting herb, and often used in tea to increase stamina.

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Believed to bring the wearer: marriage, love, remembrance, relief, healing

Other associations: purification and sanctification

Spirit animals: tapir, agouti, monkey, wild boar, woodpecker