Heady. Heavenly. Sweet. Sensual. Intoxicating. Tropical.
That’s how I describe the alluring scent of frangipani on a warm summers night.
Because of its simple beauty and refined shape, the frangipani flower also brings up feelings of peace, harmony and perfection. So today I’d like to share some interesting facts and maybe a little fiction about my favourite scent and flower – the frangipani.
Because of its simple beauty and refined shape, the frangipani flower also brings up feelings of peace, harmony and perfection. So today I’d like to share some interesting facts and maybe a little fiction about my favourite scent and flower – the frangipani.
The Frangipani Name
Frangipani is the common name for plumeria. Charles Plumier, a 17th century French botanist and explorer introduced the plant to Europe and so the genus was named in his honour.
There are two theories on how the common name came about:
There are two theories on how the common name came about:
- 'Frangipani' is the English derivative of the French word 'frangipanier'. Depending who you read, 'frangipanier' either translates to ‘nosegay’ or is a type of coagulated milk that also resembles the plants sap.
- An Italian nobleman, Marquis Frangipane either created a perfume from it’s scent - or - when the flower was first introduced in to Europe, the perfume reminded people of the scent; and so the flower got its name.
Cultural Meanings
- The frangipani is associated with love in feng shui.
- In Hawaiian culture it represents everything positive and is used to make leis.
- In Bali the tree is considered holy and is commonly found in temple grounds.
- Buddhists and Hindus also associate the tree with immortality because the tree can continue to bear flowers, even after it has been uprooted.
- When in India, the flower represents dedication and devotion. A bride will wear a flower in her hair to symbolise loyalty to her husband.
- If visiting Polynesia, which ear you wear the flower over symbolises your relationship status. Over the right ear, you are looking for a relationship. Over the left ear, you are taken.
- The flower has been associated with worship in Sri Lanka since the 5th century as seen in a fresco at Sigiriya Rock Fortress - one of the heavenly damsels is holding a frangipani.
Therapeutic Benefits
Although you may come across claims of the frangipani’s medicinal value, it really is all about the aromatic benefits alone. The sap from the tree is considered poisonous and you can’t actually distill the flower to create an essential oil. Pretty much all frangipani oil is either synthetically made or extracted using chemicals. There is one natural extraction method called ‘enfleurage’ which involves using oil and alcohol. This will cost you around $170.00 for a 5ml bottle.
I prefer to use body safe fragrance oils with a blend of essential oils for scenting soy candles. They provide a cleaner burn and are more stable. The frangipani oil I use in the Drift Escentuals scented soy candle range has a soft, citrus finish which closely resembles fresh, fallen flowers. For the evocative scent of white frangipani enhanced with star jasmine, check out the Drift Sydney Summer scented soy candle today.
