Magnolia champaca (L.) Baill. ex Pierre

Cempaka kuning (Magnolia champaca) is a tree up to 50 meters tall of the Magnoliaceae family, originating from India and distributed to Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands. Its fragrant flowers are used in Hindu and Buddhist religious ceremonies, as well as perfume and hair oil ingredients. In Ayurvedic medicine, cempaka kuning has traditionally been used to reduce fever and relieve tonsillitis.

Grows in tropical climate regions in lowlands up to elevations of 1,600 m above sea level. Prefers open places with temperatures of 30-37 °C, rainfall 3,000-4,000 mm/year, soil pH 4.5-5.5, clay to sandy soil texture.

• Roots taproot, brown in color.
• Stem round, straight, smooth grayish-brown bark, 80-120 cm diameter.
• Leaves elongated egg-shaped with tapering tip and base, about 10-28 cm long, 4.5-11 cm wide.
• Flowers solitary, orange-yellow in color, very fragrant scent.
• Fruit elongated ball shape, slightly bent, initially green then turning pale gray.
• Seeds brown in color when fresh and dark red when mature.

• Propagated generatively (by seed) and vegetatively (cuttings and air-layering).
• Select a healthy parent tree, with abundant flowers, already more than 3 years old.

Tannins, phlobatannin, saponins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, polyphenols, glycosides, triterpenoids, steroids and fatty acids.

Treats kidney stones, fever, gonorrhea, bad breath, irregular menstruation, boosts appetite, vaginal discharge, cough, tonsillitis, rheumatism, skin softener (demulcent), diuretic, carminative.

• Wash cempaka flowers thoroughly using running water.
• Dry in direct sunlight until completely dry.
• Store the dried flowers in a clean, closed place.

Bungong jeumpa (Aceh), Campaga (Minangkabau), Campaka koneng (Sunda), Kantil, Locari, Pecari, Cempaka, Cepaka (Java).