Nag champa
Fragrance from India
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nag champa is a commercial fragrance of Indian origin. It is made from a combination of sandalwood and either champak[1][2] or frangipani.[3] When frangipani is used, the fragrance is usually referred to simply as champa.[4]
Nag champa is commonly used in incense, soap, perfume oil, candles, wax melts, and personal toiletries.[5] It is a popular and recognizable incense fragrance.[4][6]
Composition
A number of flower species in India are known as champa or champak:[7]
- Magnolia champaca, formerly classified as Michelia champaca (swarna champa or yellow champa)
- Plumeria rubra (frangipani)
- Mesua ferrea (nagkeshar or nagchampa)
Of these, Magnolia champaca is mostly used to prepare the nag champa scent,[6][8] while Plumeria or Mesua ferrea may be used for scents termed champa and sometimes nag champa.[7][9]
Nag champa perfume ingredients vary with the manufacturer, though generally they include sandalwood and magnolia,[1] which, as the plant is related to star anise, gives the scent a little spice. Other ingredients will depend on the finished product. Perfume-dipped incenses and soaps would use essential and/or fragrance oils or scents, while masala incenses might use finely ground fragrant ingredients and/or oils.[5]
