Nag Champa
Nag Champa is one of the most well-known fragrances of Indian incense sticks ( Hindi agarbattī (अगरबत्ती)) and a wide variety of cosmetic products, but not a brand name of a specific manufacturer.
Various details are given about the exact composition.
Origin of the fragrance
There is also a flower called Champaka (Magnolia champaca syn. Michelia champaca L.). An essential oil can be obtained from the flowers of the plant, which is often also referred to as the joy tree, but this is not responsible for the Nag Champa scent.
Rather, there are with the casuarina plants (Mesua ferrea), which are counted among the ironwoods , trees whose flowers are also of interest to the perfume industry and which in Indian usage as Nageswar Champaka, Nagkesar, Thorlachampa, Negchampa, Naga Sampigi, Mangal and Nagchampa are designated.
The scent used in the incense sticks is u. a. obtained from the flowers of Mesua ferrea. Since these fragrances are also compositions, one must assume that other raw materials are used and of course the oil of Magnolia champaca could also be used. The use of the wood from Mesua ferrea itself is also obvious.
In addition, Indian incense sticks contain semi-liquid resins ( halmaddi ) from the Ailanthus malabarica or Ailanthus triphysa tree, which gives them their characteristic gray color and a slightly moist texture due to its hygroscopic properties.
Nag Champa also contains a large amount of sandalwood .
Probably the best-known brand with the Nag Champa fragrance is “Shrinivas Sugandhalaya” with a blue-white-red packaging, of which there are numerous imitators.
literature
Asha Ram: Herbal Indian Perfumes and Cosmetics , Sri Satguru Publications, Indian Medical Series No. 59, Indian Book Center, Delhi, 2nd edition 2002
