Plumeria is a genus which contains 7 to 8 species which grow in tropical and subtropical Americas. This genus comprises of mainly deciduous trees and shrubs. Plumeria rubra grows in Central America, Mexico and Venezuela that produces flowers ranging from yellow, white to pink. From Central America and Mexico, it spread to all tropical areas of the world notably Hawaii, where it is grown abundantly.
Frangipani is a small tree or spreading shrub which grows upto the height of 2 to 8 meters and have similar width. The tree has thick succulent trunk and sausage like blunt branches which is covered with thin and grey bark. The branches are brittle which oozes white latex when broken that could be irritating to skin and mucous membranes. Leaves are large, green and measures 30 to 50 cm long and are alternately arranged and clustered at the end of branches. It is deciduous and falls in cooler months of the year. The terminal flowers appear at the end of branches in the summer. The flowers are prominent, have five petals and are strongly fragrant. Its color ranges from common pink to white having shades of yellow in the center of the flower. Before opening out, initially they are tubular. Flowers are 5 to 7.5 cm in diameter and produces seed rarely. Seeds are winged and contained in 17.5 cm (7 in) pod.
Some health benefits provided by Frangipani essential oil are discussed below:
Skin health
The essential oil of Frangipani acts as astringent. It is used to moisturize skin in massage therapy. The oil assures that the skin remains soft and is helpful for dry and cracked skin. This oil is helpful for treating skin conditions so it is recommended for the people who are suffering from skin problems to add this essential oil to the regular routine. This essential oil contains properties of astringent which causes contraction of skin cells as well as body tissues.
Lowers headache
The people who have severe problems with headache could find this essential oil to be helpful. Frangipani essential oil possesses anti-inflammatory properties which help to treat extreme headaches as well as other pains such as muscle aches and back pain. It is helpful for the individuals suffering from headache to add this oil to the routine to provide relief from this pain.
Acts as stimulant
Frangipani essential oil acts as stimulant that assist in maintaining health conditions of circulatory, nervous and other body systems.
Antioxidant activity
Frangipani essential oil is loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory prperties which assist in healthy functioning of the body. Antioxidants help to eliminate free radicals from the body and lower the disease causing germs away from the body.
Lowers stress
Frangipani essential oil helps to lower stress in the body and also restores peace. It has sedative effect that provides sound sleep. It calms mind and provides relief from stress.
Traditional uses
In India, the plant is used as a remedy for diarrhea and to cure itch.
The milky juice is used for treating rheumatism and inflammation.
Bark is used for fever, diarrhea, hard tumors and gonorrhea.
Consume the flowers with betel nut to cure ague.
Natives of Mexico use it for intermittent fevers, skin complaints and for dispersing dropsies.
Bark is used for dropsy, gonorrhea, dysuria in Java and Madura.
Milky latex is used for sores and toothache.
Apply the decoction made from leaves for cracks, eruptions on sole of feet.
The paste made from leaves is used as a poultice for swellings.
An infusion made from flower is used as a cosmetic in Thailand.
Bark, shoot and flowers are used in Myanmar for pruritis, leprosy and to heal carbuncles, boils and ascites.
Leaves and bark are used for abdominal tumors, rheumatism and inflammation.
Shoots and flowers are useful for treating Malaria.
The flower decoction is used for diabetes in Mexico.
Frangipani is used to lower menstrual pain and prevent fainting due to heat stroke or sun exposure.
For pain due to cavities, put few drops of sap with the use of cotton swab and place the cotton to aching tooth. Use it one to two times a day.
To cure diabetes pus, boil two cups of water with one piece of root of Frangipani trees. Take this herb as much as one cup once a day.
For yaws, take two shingles of frangipani skin which is finely ground and boil it with 1 pot of water. Use this water for bathing and rub the injured body part.
Use the bruised bark as a plaster over hard tumors.
The poultice of heated leaves is helpful for swellings.
For asthma, use the leaves as cigarettes to inhale.
Scraped bark is used for treating scabies and wounds from poisonous fish.
Bark juice is helpful to cure amoebic dysentery.
Poultice made from leaves are used for treating muscular swellings.
The sap is used for treating stings of bees, wasps and centipede bites.
The sap of Frangipani could be used to eliminate moles and warts.
How to Eat
Brew the flowers as tea.
Flowers are also cooked as vegetables.
Precautions
Consult the health practitioner for treating health problems.
People having known allergy should avoid it.
Other Facts
The flowers are yellows, whites, reds, pinks and multiple patels.
It possesses poisonous and milky sap which is similar to Euphorbia.
The flowering plants could grow as large shrubs or small trees.
The plants bear long leather and fleshy leaves in clusters near branch tips.
It has widely spaced and thick succulent branches which are pointed or round.
The plant is deciduous and also sensitive to cold.
The wood is soft, light and white and is used for manufacturing tableware, musical instruments and furniture.
