Michelia champaca Linn

Michelia champaca Linn
The Malay people called it as cempaka. Filipino called it champaka. Spanish also called it as champaka. There are 3 types of cempaka based on its color of flower: white, yellow and red. In scientific term; M. alba DC, M. champaca L., and M. figo.

This is a small tree, growing to a height of 6 meters or more. The bark is grey and smooth. The wood is soft, with white sapwood and light olive-brown heartwood. The young shoots are silky. The flowers are pale yellow or orange, very fragrant, and 4 to 5 centimeters long. The fruiting spike is compact and 8to 15 centimeters in length. The seeds, 1-2 are brown when old, polished, and variously angled. The flower yields the champaka oil, which is used as a perfume. The flowers are also put away with clothes to impart their perfume. The flowers appear from May to July and fruits ripen about three months later that is, in August.

History of Michelia champaca Linn
M. champaca is probably only native to India but is commonly cultivated throughout the tropics. The genus is named after Italian botanist Peter A. Michel (1679-1737); the specific epithet after the Hindu name.

Usage of Michelia champaca Linn
In traditional medicine, an infusion or decoction of flowers is given in dyspepsia, nausea and fevers; also for preventing scalding in renal disease. Flowers, macerated in oil, are applied externally in cephalalgia, opthalmia, nasal infections, sinus, rheumatism, gout and vertigo. While yellow colored flower also use for high fever by boiling the flower.

It also use as anti inflammatory and antipyretic. Juice leaves is given with honey in colic. Leaves are also applied in andolent swellings.

Leave of champaka were include in a vagina pessary recommended for treating vaginal foul smell and infections.
Michelia champaca Linn