02/08/2025
Pushpa Ayurveda
चम्पक पुष्प
Magnolia champaca
Magnoliaceae
Golden Champa, சண்பகம், ചെമ്പകം
इन्दिन्दिरैर्निर्भरगर्भमीष-
दुन्मेषवच्चम्पकपुष्पमासीत्।
हिरण्मयं शासनलेखहेतोः
सज्जं मषीभाण्डमिव स्मरस्य॥ Verse 1659
Subhash*tavali, a revered Sanskrit book, explains the beauty of the Campaka flower with a Upama: "The champa flower was blooming, its inner bud buzzing with bees, like Smara's golden ink pot, awaiting his command."
Our Acharyas admired by the beauty and fragrance of the flowers have given the synonyms
हेम पुष्प , हेमाह्व, चाम्पेय
पीतपुष्प
स्थिरपुष्प
दीपपुष्प , वन दीप
सुरभि, रम्या, भृङ्गमोहि
काञ्चन- That shines like gold
षट्पदा- Who has bees as the guest
Floral description:
Flower Solitary, axillary, large, yellow
to orange, bracteate with short pedicel,
complete, actinomorphic and very fragrant.
चाम्पेयश्चम्पकः प्रोक्तो हेमपुष्पश्च स स्मृतः |
एतस्य कलिका गन्धफलेति कथिता बुधैः ||
चम्पकः कटुकस्तिक्तः कषायो मधुरो हिमः |
विषकृमिहरः कृच्छ्रकफवातास्रपित्तजित् || (B.P.Ni)
चम्पकं रक्तपितघ्नं शीतोष्णं कफनाशनम्। (सु.सू)
चम्पकः कथितः शीतो वीर्योऽतिकटुको रसे ।
हृद्यः सुगन्धिविषहा कफपित्तविनाशनः || (Da.Ni)
चम्पकः कटुकस्तिक्तः शिशिरो दाहनाशनः ।
कुष्ठकण्डूव्रणहरो गुणाढ्यो राजचम्पकः || (Ra.Ni)
வாதபித்தம் அத்திசுரம் மாமேகம் சுத்தசுரந்
தாதுநட்டங் கண்ணழற்சி தங்காவே- மாதேகேள் !
திண்புறு மனக்களிப்பார் திவ்யமணம் உட்டினஞ்சேர்
சண்பகப் பூவதற்குத் தான். (அ.கு)
Vātapittam atthisuram māmēkam suttasuran
tātunaṭṭaṅ kaṇṇazhaṟchi thaṅgāvē- mādhēkēḷ!
Thiṇpuṟu maṉakkaḷippār divyamaṇam uṭṭiṉañcēr
caṇpakap pūvataṟkut tāṉ.
A flower that has Dhiva manam( Pleasant smell) helps in treating Vata pittaja rogas, Chornic fever, Dhatu Kshayam, etc., conditions.
Ecological significance:
- Host for Tailed Jay and Common Jay butterflies
- The flowers are protogynous and are pollinated by beetles, which feed on the stigmas,
pollen, nectar and secretion from the petals
Medicinal Uses:
- A hot infusion of the flowers of Magnolia champaca is traditionally used to soothe the burning sensation during urination.
-The application of flower extracts can help soothe the skin and reduce the symptoms of boils and itchiness.
- Flower kashaya is pitta hara.
Edible Uses:
-The petals can be used to flavor tea or as a garnish for some dishes, adding a subtle, fragrance.
-In culinary applications, particularly in Southeast Asian and Indian cuisines.
Religious Significance:
-Tts presence is believed to purify the environment and attract positive energy. The soothing scent of Champa is said to calm the mind and help focus during meditation and prayer.
-Used in Archana and homam rituals.
-Champaka Dwadashi, on the Dwadashi Tithi of Jyeshtha Shukla Paksha, when champaka flowers are offered to Vishnu, Krishna, and Rama.
Other Uses:
-Champaka flowers are employed in India in the preparation of attars and perfumed hair oils, who are mentally exhausted. It gives soothing and calming effects on mind as well as body.
-Essential oil contains β-elemene,borneol, caryophylline, α-humulene,spathulenol and quercetin.
