The mysterious, sensual and surprising fragrance of champaca is the inspiration and key ingredient for a unique new ritual and product line offered exclusively at Four Seasons properties globally: Tropical Magnolia, now available at Spa & Hammam at Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bophorous.

Champaca, commonly known as tropical magnolia, is one of the rarest and most complex natural essences. With calming, warming and nurturing properties, it is also known to effectively support digestion. Wild-crafted and harvested only in India, the essential oil is distilled from the blossoms of the subtropical michelia champaca tree. Costing in excess of EUR 10,000 per kilo, champaca essential oil has always been prized in its country of origin but is only now becoming more widely popular.

Conceptualized by Christopher Norton, chair of Four Seasons Global Spa Task Force, the Tropical Magnolia ritual and product line allows Four Seasons guests around the world to tap into the powerful benefits of this rare and exotic essential oil. Norton enlisted the expertise of Megan Larsen, founder of luxury chemical-free skincare company Sodashi, who shares his passion for the therapeutic benefits of essential oils, to create the Tropical Magnolia range.

Larsen said, “The synergies created by blending champaca with other selected therapeutic grade essential oils, including rosewood and damask rose, are what make the Tropical Magnolia products so effective, delivering results without sensitivities. These 100 percent chemical-free products are powerfully regenerative and work holistically to nurture the skin as well as the overall wellbeing.”

The 90-minute Tropical Magnolia ritual is perfect for travellers seeking to enjoy a deeply relaxing massage and also provides the profound benefits of champaca’s digestive proprieties. The treatment starts with the soft sounds of fungsa Tibetan bowls used to realign the chakras while the guest is enveloped in the Tropical Magnolia aroma blend. A soothing foot ritual is followed by a cleansing body wash and scrub to prepare guests for a deeply relaxing full body massage with warm, fragrant Tropical Magnolia oil. The ritual concludes with stretching of the upper body combined with a massage over a warm towel.

The beautiful Tropical Magnolia range includes a shower gel, body exfoliant, body mist, body and hair oil and an aroma blend, and allows guests to take away the magic of champaca and recreate the Tropical Magnolia spa experience at home. Both the Tropical Magnolia ritual and product line are available exclusively at Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus, and other selected Four Seasons Spas.

About Sodashi

Wholeness. Purity. Radiance. That’s the meaning of the Sanskrit word Sodashi, and it perfectly describes the values by which all of their chemical-free skincare products and spa therapies are created - without compromise.
Sodashi products and spa treatments are unparalleled in performance and purity, employing only therapeutic-grade, ethically-sourced essential oils and plant actives to effectively heal and nurture.
From seed to shelf, Sodashi remains true to its name, dramatically regenerating the skin, and imparting a deep sense of wellbeing to spirit and mind.

Sourcing Champaca

Often with the most expensive essential oils, the issue of adulteration exists where cheap compounds are added to the essential oil dramatically diluting its beneficial properties. Champaca, the key ingredient of Four Seasons Tropical Magnolia product line, is a particular target for adulteration as it is both very rare and expensive. It is in fact extremely difficult to get pure unadulterated champaca essential oil.

Sodashi’s Founder Megan Larsen sources champaca essential oil, which is harvested and extracted in India, from a trusted supplier and personal friend. Each batch of champaca essential oil used to formulate the Tropical Magnolia products has to undergo seven tests to ensure its purity and potency.