Fragrance Perfume Cabinet

Potpourri (Bu-nga)

Potpourri is a perfumery made of scented fresh or dry flowers, mixed with eau de per fume or the Nam-ob Thai, and put into small fine bags. Traditionally, the Thais in the central part would make a potpourri as an accessory for some ceremonies, or as a souvenir in blessing occasions such as house warming and wedding. No potpourri is made for religious ceremonies such as monk-hood celebration or funerals.

The Thai knew potpourri from the Java, which called it “Bu-nga rum pai”. Prince Damrong Rachanuparp an Prince Narisaranuwatiwongse described the origin of Bu – nga pai in the Sarn Somdej book, that “Bu-nga” means flowers, while “rum pai” means “rum” or deep vapouring. Thais might have known potpourri since the latter period of Ayutthaya era because it was a time when a lot of Malayan people settled in the country.

Thai potpourri could be found in three categories: fresh, dry and Chan Hom (Fragrant Chan). Cloth bags that are made to fill potpourri need to be fine and thin in order to avoid leakage of flowers. Fragrant flora in Thai perfumeries are as the followings:

Kularb Mon
Science Name:Rosa damascene Mill
Family:ROSACEAE
General Nam:Kularb On, Yee Soon, Sommer Damask Rose.
Usage:All year flowering, petals could be used to decorate food and to make perfumeries.

Kradung Nga Thai
Science Name:Canaga oderata (Lamk) Hokker F et Thoms
Family:ANNONACEAE
General Names:Kradiung Nga, Kradung Nga Bai Yai, Saman Nga,Sabun nga ton, Ilang-ilang, Yalang—ylang
Usage:Fowering plants, ingredients are used for Thai perfumeries.

Kannikar
Science Name:Nyctanthes abor – tristis L.
Family:VERBENACEAE
General Names:Kanikar, Kornnikar,Coral jasmine, Night jasmine
Usage:Flowering bush plants, ingredient are for Thai perfumeries.

Kajorn
Science Name:Telosma minor (Andr.) Craib
Family:ASCLEPIADACEAE
General Names:Salid (central Thai), Milkweed Family
Usage:Flowering crawling plants, long life, ingredients are for Thai perfumeries.

Chan Krapor
Science Name:Vatica diospyroides Syming
Family:DIPTEROCARPACEAE
General Names:Kheaw NguKhao (Pang-nga), Chan Por (south.)
Usage:Flowering plants, strong scent, ingredients are for Thai perfumeries.

Chan Ted
Science Name:Myristica fragrans Houtt
Family:MYRISTICACEAE
Genral Names:Chan Ban (Chan, north). Chan Nited (central.), Mace, Nutmeg
Usage:Seeds and flowers are ingredients for Thai perfumeries.

Champa
Science Name:Michelia champaca L.
Family:MAGNOLIACEAE
General Names:Champa Khao (Trang). Champa Thong (NakhonSri Thammarat.) Champa P (Surat Thani), Champa Gor, Champace, Orage Chempaka, Champak, Sonchampa
Usage:Flowering plants, with flowers as ingredients for Thai perfumeries, specially in hair conditioner, Nam-Ob Thai and Nam Proong.

Chalood
Science Name:Atyzia nitens Kerr.
Family:APOCYNACEAE
General Names:Lood (Pattani.), Chanood (Surat Thani.), Lood (south).
Usage:Flowering crawling plants used as ingredients for Thai perfumeries.

Chammanard
Science Name:Vallaris glabra Ktze
Family:APOCYNACEAE
General Names:Chomnad, Chammmanard (central.), Chammmanrd Farang, Dok Khao Mai (Bangkok.), Somsai (north.),Bread flower as ingredients for Thai perfumeries.
Usage:Flowering crawling plants with thick leaves and flowers as ingredients for Thai perfumeries.

Mali
Science Name:Jasminum sambac(L) Ait.
Family:OLEACEAE
General Names:Khao Tak (Mae Hong Sorn.), Mali Khi Gai (Chiangmai.), Mali Pom (north.), Tia Moon, Mali Son, Mali La, Mali Luang, Arabian Jasmine, Jasmine
Usage:Flowering plants with flowers as ingredients for Thai perfumeries.

Kaew
Science Name:Murraya Panculata (L)Jack
Family:RUTACEAE
General Names:Kaew Khao (central.), Kaew Khi Gai (Yala.), Kaew Prig, Talai Kaew (north.)Kaew Lai (Saraburi.), Ja Prig (Lampang.), Gamuning, Andaman satiwood, China box tree, Orange Jessamine, Satin-wood, Cosmetic Bark Tree
Usage:Flowering bush plants of which flowers as ingredients for Thai perfumeries.

Thai –style Sachets
Many Thai flowers are delicately scented and lend themselves well as ingredients in sachetmaking. Thai ladies, since the old days, have perfected the arts of making fragrant sachets from these dried flowers. The flowers used for this purpose are usually small in size and possess long lasting fragrance. Flowers from bullet wood, rose petals, jasmine, henna flowers, bread flowers (Vallaris glabra Ktze. And Coffea bengalensis Roxb.) are commonly used. In addition, the leaves of fragrant screw pine