CLITORIA TERNATEA HERBAL MONOGRAPH
Clitoria ternatea.
Blue Butterfly Pea.
Family: Fabaceae.
Sub-family: Papilionaceae.
Description: Blue Butterfly Pea is a perennial leguminous twining vine with solitary, vivid deep blue flowers with light yellow markings, followed by flat seed pods. Of old world origin, it has a long history of traditional use.
Origin: Clitoria ternatea is native to tropical Asia - Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines & Vietnam, and is distributed widely in Africa, China, India, Australia, South & Central America and the Caribbean, where it has become naturalised.
Energetics: Cooling.
Taste: Neutral, slightly sweet.
Parts Used: Whole plant including roots, flowers.
Actions: nootropic, anxiolytic, anti-oxidant, anti-stress, anti-convulsant, anti-pyretic (reduce fever), anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, immunomodulatory, proteolytic, anti-helminthic, diuretic, anti-microbial, larvicidal, memory enhancement.
Folklore & Traditions: In Indian Ayurveda, Butterfly Pea is named after the powerful Hindu god Aparajita, (or Vishnu) “the unconquerable one”, and it is used in devotional ceremonies to represent protection, peace & love.
In Asia it is believed to be a talisman for courage & protection when carried in a pocket or pouch. It is believed to be useful for meditation and shamanic work as it enhances psychic abilitys and intuition, and also activates the Third Eye chakra.
In traditional medicine, the plant is used in treatment of asthma, headache, migraine, ear-ache, throat & eye infections, fever, urinary tract infections, constipation, indigestion, jaundice, skin diseases & ereuptions, swollen joints, snake bites, leprosy & central nervous system disorders.
In traditional Chinese medicine, and consistent with the Western concept of the doctrine of signatures, Butterfly Pea flowers are believed to affect female libido, with their similar appearance to the female clitoris. In Indian villages, it is common for pregnant women to wear the roots of Aparajita, or Butterfly Pea, on their arms or waist to help them deliver their babies safely.
Its rich blue colour is utilised as a food colouring & a natural dye. If combined with water plus an acidic ingredient, such as lemon, to alter the pH, the blue colour changes to violet.
Constituents: tannins, resins, alkaloids, anti-oxidants, flavonoids, saponins, starch, ternatins, taraxerol, taraxerone, proteins, anthocyanins, acetylcholine.
Medicinal Uses: Anti-oxidant & Anti-inflammatory: Rich in antioxidant compounds - particularly anthocyanins and ternatins, which give the flowers their rich colour. Other healing antioxidants include kaempferol, known for fighting cancer-cells, p-coumaric acid, know for being anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, & antiviral, and Delphinidin-3,5-glucoside, known to boost immune function & fight cancer cells.
Anxiolytic (Anxiety-Reducing): Butterfly Pea is known for its calming and stress-reducing properties. It may help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation due to its potential interaction with neurotransmitters in the brain.
Nootropic: Known in Ayurvedic science as a brain herb, Butterfly Pea has been used to enhance memory & brain health, and to reduce anxiety & depression. Also helps fight Alzheimer’s due to the presence of the active compound acetylcholine, which is memory enhancing & essential for brain health. High acetylcholine levels in the brain are known to decrease age-associated memory loss, improve memory function & boost overall brain health.
Studies have shown drinking Butterfly Pea flower tea reduces the symptoms of stress-induced ulcers and produced relief in symptoms of many disorders related to brain function. Several studies on rats and other animals have indicated that regular administration of Blue Butterfly Pea extracts boosts the levels of acetylcholine in their brain.
Reproductive System Health: Butterfly pea flower tea is traditionally used to promote fertility and reproductive health. It can help to regulate menstrual cycles and support healthy fertility, promote healthy vaginal discharge and aid in normal sperm production. Also acting as a potent aphrodisiac. Blue butterfly pea may enhance ovulation and create a favourable environment for conception with its ability to balance hormones.
Respiratory System Health: Butterfly Pea flowers are a common traditional remedy for respiratory illnesses. Due to the anti-inflammatory properties, it has been shown to reduce the irritation of the lungs and other respiratory organs. It also helps in draining excess fluid build up, making it an excellent treatment for colds and coughs. A study from 2018 concluded that, due to these properties, Clitoria ternatea can be considered a reliable herbal alternative in treating asthma and allergies.
Balance Blood Sugar: Butterfly Pea flowers have been shown to be beneficial for stabilising blood sugar levels, through their ability to inhibit glucose intake. Studies have shown Butterfly Pea flowers being able to protect against cell damage and diabetes. Eg. A study showing 15 men drinking this flower showed increased antioxidant levels and reduced blood sugar & insulin levels. The same conclusion was found when the study was done on rats, comparing the levels to that of a control group.
Aid Digestion: Butterfly Pea tea is used for digestive system issues as it’s anti-inflammatory properties soothe stomach muscles, alleviating nausea and indigestion. It has anthelmintic properties which help prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. It also stimulates the flow of bile from the liver, producing a mild laxative effect. As a mild diuretic, Butterfly Pea is a popular weight loss herb, as it relieves the body’s digestive system of unnecessary waste, replacing it with antioxidants. Butterfly pea has also been found to relieve stress-induced stomach ulcers.
Beautify Skin: Butterfly Pea flowers have incredible benefits when used topically. It has been shown in studies to increase skin hydration by 70% only an hour after application. This is because the flower contains antioxidants, polyphenols & flavonoids, which stimulate the natural production of collagen and elastin. It also has anti-glycation properties, known to slow down skin ageing. Topically, Butterfly Pea flowers are anti-inflammatory and helpful in treating skin irritation, redness, itching, and allergies, contributing to healthy-looking skin.
Improve Eyesight & Strengthen Hair: Butterfly Pea flowers contain the antioxidant anthocyanin, which has been shown to increase blood flow to the eyes. This helps in treating glaucoma, damage to the retinas, blurred vision & tired eyes. It has also been shown to enhance night vision & generally protect the eyes from potential damage. Also super beneficial to hair health, the potent bioflavonoid anthocyanin increases blood flow to the scalp, leading to the strengthening of hair follicles, faster hair growth, a reduction in grey hairs, and naturally darker hair.
Chakras: Crown and Third Eye.
Astrological Influence: Venus
Contraindications & Cautions: None known. Safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding.
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References: Gupta, G. et al. ’Clitoria ternatea : Old and new aspects’ 2010. www.researchgate.net
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2019.00645/full
https://www.ijpbs.com/ijpbsadmin/upload/ijpbs_510e88f33323f.pdf
Parimaladevi, B. Ert al. ‘Evaluation of antipyretic potential of Clitoria ternatea L. extract in rats.’ 2004
Zagórska-Dziok, M. et al. ‘Cosmetic and Dermatological Properties of Selected Ayurvedic Plant Extracts’ 2021.