Encyclopedias & Dictionaries | Monier-Williams: A Sanskrit-English Dictionary (p. 388) campaka, m. Michelia Campaka (bearing a yellow fragrant flower), MBh.; R. &c.; a kind of perfume, VarBṛS. lxxvii, 7; a particular part of the bread-fruit, W.; N. of a man, Rājat. vii; of a relation of the Jaina Meru-tuṅga; of a country, Buddh.; n. the flower of the Campaka tree, MBh.; Suśr. &c.; the fruit of a variety of the plantain, L.; (ā) f. N. of a town, JaimBhār.; Hit. Tamil Lexicon, University of Madras (p. 1593) cempakam: Campaka Dymock, Warden, Hooper: Pharmacographia Indica (vol. I, p. 42) Michelia champaca, Magnoliaceae Fig.- Golden or Yellow Champa (Eng.) There appear to be several varities of Michelia which have been produced by cultivation. M. Rheedii, which is referred by Hooker and Thomson to M. Champaca, is cultivated in India for the sake of its yellow, sweet-scented tulip-like flowers which are made into a wreath (veni) and worn by women at the back of the head. The Champa, in Sanskrit Champaka or Dipapushpa (lamp flower) appears to have been cultivated in India from a very early date; it has many synonyms expressing praise of its delicate form, golden colour and intoxicating perfume. The bark is mentioned in the secondary list of the Pharmacopoeia of India as having febrifuge properties; but the natives of India do not generally use it, nor is it to be met with in the shops. According to Rheede and Rumphius the flowers are diuretic and are used in gonorrhea to relieve scalding, pounded with cocoanut-oil they are applied as a plaster to inflamed parts. The root is said to be emmenagogue, and the oil of the seeds is rubbed into the abdomen to relieve flatulence.
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