Frangipani or Plumeria or Semboja is a group of plants in the genus Plumeria. The shape is a small tree with sparse but thick leaves. The fragrant flowers are very distinctive, with a white to purplish red crown, usually five strands. Flowers with four or six petals are considered by certain communities to have supernatural powers. The root type is fibrous and the flower texture is not too rough and not too smooth.
This plant comes from Central America. The name Plumeria was given in honor of Charles Plumier (1646-1706), a French botanist. Frangipani can be propagated easily, via stem cuttings.
Plumeria is currently popular as an outdoor ornamental plant. Initially, this plant was only used as a grave plant.
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Types
Frangipani flowers do not only consist of one type but various types, including Plumeria Bali-Whirl. This frangipani flower has a crown that is stacked, while the way to reproduce and preserve it is by grafting. There is also Plumeria acuminata, the crown shape is rounded and the tip is curled. The third is Plumeria acutifolia, the flowers smell fragrant and are effective in treating gonorrhea, swelling and boils. This type of frangipani flower is often used for religious ceremonies by Balinese people.
Next is Plumeria Cendana, although it smells good, the sap contains poison which can cause itching. Plumeria Kok Putih, even though this frangipani flower has bloomed, it still looks a bit budded. There is also Adenium obesum, usually people call it the Japanese frangipani flower. This flower does not come from cherry blossom country but from the African continent, specifically Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. This plant is also known as the rose of desert, this is because it is able to survive even though it grows in the desert.
Plumeria in Indonesia
Even though it comes from far away, frangipani is now a very popular tree in Indonesia, in several places in the archipelago, including Malaya, frangipani is planted in cemeteries as a shade plant. This flower is also familiar with funeral ceremonies. Perhaps because it has a fresh aroma, it is chosen as an important flower in funeral rituals and is quite economical.
Those of you who have been to Bali are certainly familiar with people who put frangipani flowers in their ears (especially women), yes, this is a sign of how closely this flower is closely related to Balinese customs and culture. Yes, Balinese people wear this flower in their ears to show purity of heart when worshiping Sang Hyang Widi Sawa, ancestors, and sages or teachers in the spiritual field. So putting frangipani flowers in their ears has a religious and sacred meaning for them.
The frangipani flower has two important roles in Hinduism, namely as a symbol of Lord Shiva and as a means of prayer. As a symbol of Lord Shiva, flowers are placed sticking out at the ends of the two palms that are folded together when worshiping. After worshiping, flowers are usually placed on the top of the head (hair) or tucked into the ears. As a means of prayer, flowers are used to fill ceremonies or offerings that will be offered to God or the holy spirits of ancestors.
Frangipani flowers are used to show purity of heart when worshiping Sang Hyang Widi Wasa and His holy light, ancestors and Rsi (teachers in the spiritual field). Apart from frangipani flowers, there are other flowers that can be used for ceremonies in place of frangipani flowers, the important thing is that the selected flowers represent the following colors:
1. White flowers, as a symbol of worshiping Hyang Widhi as Iswara, have powers like Badjra, emitting white (neutral) light.
2. Red flowers, as a symbol of worshiping Hyang Widhi as Brahma, have the power of a mace that emits red light.
3. Black flowers, as a symbol of worshiping Hyang Widhi as Vishnu, who has chakra weapons and emits black light.
4. Yellow flowers, as a symbol of worshiping Hyang Widhi as Mahadewa or Lord Shiva who has the power of nagapasa, which emits light yellow.
Based on Hindu philosophy, frangipani trees in Bali flower on Sasih Kapat (the fourth full moon) which is a good month. The flower is also considered "nature's essence", so it is a flower frangipani can be interpreted as the essence of nature that brings enlightenment and the essence of goodness.
Frangipani flowers and Balinese people are inseparable. If you travel to Bali and see Cambodian trees growing in various corners of the city, especially in temples, you don't need to be surprised. Please just set foot at Ulun Danu Temple, Gelgel Temple, Tanah Lot Temple, and Besakih Temple, to see how much frangipani flower plants are cared for , not only for aesthetic reasons but also because it has an important function in local culture.
Herbal medicine
Frangipani flowers have a number of compounds that have medicinal properties, namely the triterprenoids amirin, lupeol, and fulvoplumierin. These substances are antipyretic (reduces fever), anti-inflammatory (treats inflammation), and analgesic (relieves pain). Because of these contents, frangipani flowers are useful for reducing menstrual pain and preventing fainting due to hot air or exposure to sunlight. stroke).
Apart from that, frangipani flowers also have many other benefits, namely as an external and internal medicine. As an external medicine, frangipani sap can be used to, for example, treat cavities. The method is to smear frangipani sap on cotton which is then used to cover cavities. However, this must be done very carefully so that the frangipani sap does not get on healthy teeth. As an internal medicine, frangipani flowers can be used to treat people suffering from dysentery. The method is to put 12-24 grams of dried frangipani flowers in a container containing 400 cc of water, then boil it and leave up to 200 cc of water.
Plumeria acutifolia type, the flowers smell fragrant and are effective in treating gonorrhea, swelling and boils. This type of frangipani flower is often used for religious ceremonies by Balinese people.
Food material
Frangipani flowers can also be used to make various kinds of snacks, for example, to make flower tempura. The method is easy, just coat fresh frangipani flowers with a spice mixture in the form of garlic, pepper, salt mixed with wheat flour and baking powder and fry them until crispy like crackers. Don't forget that the content of vitamin C and vitamin E in this flower is quite high, so it can help overcome nutritional problems for those who consume it. This is another creation in the use of frangipani flowers, which until now have only been known as flowers to decorate gardens and funerals as well as Balinese Hindu religious rituals.
Another fact that has been carried out through various universities in Indonesia is that apart from vitamins, there are also various natural ingredients that are useful for health and are useful as natural anti-oxidants.
These are among other facts the frangipani flower in Indonesia, which can be said to be a people's plant with various economic potentials but unfortunately it is still rarely used by the people.
Other Flowers to know: Indonesia Orchid.
