Champi, or white chempaka, is an indigenous, scented flower belonging to the Magnoliaceae family. Popularly grown as a decorative plant in Thailand, this ivory-white flower is shaped like an inverted cone and produces an aromatic scent at evening time that becomes stronger at night and gradually dissipates by morning. A Champi flower blooms for only one day and then its petals wither and die.
In olden days, Thai ladies would tie a Champi flower in their hair and wear it touching one cheek. Grandmothers used Champi to make a bouquet for a squirrel garland as an offering to monks or Buddha images.
And Champi is also used as an ingredient in traditional Thai medicine to nurture the heart, blood and brain and help ease certain ailments such as lever, headaches and diarrhea.
According to ancient beliefs, Champi is an auspicious plant for people born on Thursdays and Saturdays. For instance, it is believed that if you grow this at home you will enjoy a prosperous life with progress in your employment. And those who dream of receiving Champi flowers can expect good luck in their professional lives.
