18/06/2025
Butterfly Pea Flower: The Vibrant Bloom with Ancient Roots and Modern Benefits
The butterfly pea flower, known scientifically as Clitoria ternatea, is a strikingly vibrant plant recognised for its deep indigo blue petals. Native to Southeast Asia, this flowering vine has captivated attention for centuries, not only because of its aesthetic beauty but also due to its wide range of applications in traditional medicine, culinary practices, and modern herbalism. Often referred to as Asian pigeonwings, blue pea, or aparajita in India, this plant has found a significant place in various traditional healing systems including Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Thai herbal medicine.
Botanical Overview
Butterfly pea is a perennial plant in the Fabaceae (legume) family. It is a fast-growing, climbing vine with characteristic bright blue, trumpet-shaped flowers, though white varieties also exist. The flower’s unique colouration comes from anthocyanins, a compound called ternatin, which not only lends it a deep hue but also contributes to its antioxidant properties. The plant grows well in tropical climates and is cultivated widely across India, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Historical and Cultural Background
The name Clitoria ternatea was assigned by European botanists due to the flower’s resemblance to the female anatomy. In local cultures, the plant has been revered for its sacred and healing qualities. In India, it is called Shankhpushpi in Ayurveda and Aparajita in Hindu tradition, where it is used in religious offerings and ceremonies. In Thailand, it is known as Dok Anchan, and the vibrant blue extract is traditionally used to colour rice and beverages. Historically, the flower was not only admired for its beauty but employed for a multitude of practical purposes. In Southeast Asia, it was used as a natural food dye long before synthetic alternatives were available. The blue dye is pH-sensitive and changes colour when mixed with an acid substance such as lemon or lime juice. Watch the magic happen as it turns from deep blue to pinkish purple,
Traditional Medicinal Uses
Across various traditional medical systems, butterfly pea has been used as a brain tonic, adaptogen, memory enhancer, and anti-inflammatory agent.
Ayurvedic Medicine
In Ayurveda, butterfly pea is categorized under Medhya Rasayana, a class of herbs that promote cognitive function. It is used to support mental clarity, boost memory, and combat stress and anxiety. The root is considered particularly potent and is used in powders and decoctions. Ayurvedic practitioners believe it balances the Vata and Pitta doshas, aiding in nervous system health and emotional balance.
Traditional Thai Medicine.
Thai herbalists have long used butterfly pea flower for its reputed benefits to hair and skin. It is believed to promote hair growth and prevent greying. The flower extract is often added to shampoos and conditioners. Traditionally, it was also used to treat eye ailments and improve night vision, an effect possibly attributed to the high anthocyanin content. Many Hotels in Thailand offer their customers a welcome cup of pea tea, served iced cold and usually in a copper cup.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Though less commonly used in TCM compared to Ayurveda, the butterfly pea is recognized for its cooling properties and its ability to treat ailments associated with heat and inflammation. It is sometimes included in herbal blends aimed at detoxifying the liver and improving blood circulation.
Modern Scientific Insights
In recent decades, butterfly pea has attracted the attention of scientists and herbalists alike, who seek to validate its traditional uses through modern research. Many of its benefits have been attributed to its rich phytochemical profile, which includes flavonoids, anthocyanins (particularly ternatin), triterpenoids, and alkaloids.
Antioxidant Properties:
Studies have shown that butterfly pea exhibits significant antioxidant activity, helping neutralise free radicals that can cause cellular damage. This is largely due to its anthocyanin content. Antioxidants are crucial in reducing oxidative stress, which is implicated in aging, cancer, and degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Cognitive and Neurological Benefits:
Butterfly pea has shown promise in improving memory and cognitive function in animal studies. One study demonstrated that extracts of Clitoria ternatea helped enhance memory and learning in mice, supporting its traditional use as a nootropic (a cognitive enhancer). The mechanism is believed to involve acetylcholine activity in the brain, a neurotransmitter essential for learning and memory.
Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Effects:
The plant’s extracts have been found to possess anti-inflammatory and mild pain-relieving effects, potentially useful in managing conditions like arthritis or chronic inflammatory diseases. The root, in particular, contains compounds that may reduce inflammation markers.
Anxiolytic and Antidepressant Effects:
Preliminary research suggests butterfly pea may have mood-boosting properties. Animal models have indicated that extracts from the flower can produce calming effects, potentially acting on the GABA receptors in the brain, similar to how some anti-anxiety drugs work.
Antimicrobial and Anti-diabetic Properties:
Butterfly pea extracts have shown antimicrobial activity against certain bacteria and fungi. Additionally, some studies suggest it may help regulate blood sugar levels, making it .a candidate for further investigation in diabetes management.
Culinary and Cosmetic Uses
Beyond medicine, butterfly pea has made a graceful leap into the culinary world. In Thailand and Vietnam, it is used to colour sticky rice, drinks, and desserts. Its colour changing property, turning purple with lemon or lime juice, makes it a favourite in herbal teas and cocktails. Commercially, it is now available in powdered or dried form, often marketed as a superfood tea. In cosmetics, butterfly pea is found in skincare products for its supposed anti-aging and soothing properties. Its antioxidants are believed to support collagen synthesis, fight free radicals, and protect the skin from environmental stressors.
Safety and Contraindications
Generally regarded as safe for most people, butterfly pea flower is consumed widely in food and beverages without known side effects. However, as with any herb, it should be used cautiously by pregnant or breastfeeding women and people on medications for diabetes or blood pressure, as it may interact with such treatments. Long-term safety studies in humans are still limited, and those with medical conditions should consult a healthcare provider before regular use.
Curious to add Butterfly Pea Flower to your routine? Here are just a few easy ways ti incorporate it into your daily living.
Butterfly Pea dried flowers and powder can be purchased online or in some herb shops.
Butterfly Pea Tea
This beautiful blue brew is packed with compounds that offer a variety of wellness benefits: Rich in Antioxidants, Supports Brain health, Mood boosting and stress relieving,
In a herb tea pot or herb strainer, add 2 teaspoons of dried flowers, cover with boiling water ( preferably filtered or bottled water) steep for about 5 to 10 minutes. Pour into a tea cup and enjoy. You can add honey to give a slightly sweeter taste. Alternatively, serve it iced cold, put it in fridge until cold, serve in a glass with crushed ice, add lemon juice and watch the magic happen.
Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade
1 cup of Butterfly tea (cooled)
1 cup of lemonade
Pour lemonade over Ice in a clear
Slowly pour the tea over the lemonade for a layered effect
Stir to watch the colour change.
Butterfly Pea Cocktail
1 oz of chilled tea
2 oz gin or vodka
1 oz lime juice
1 oz simple syrup
Shake lime juice, syrup and alcohol with Ice
Pour into a glass, then slowly add the tea.
Butterfly pea flower Matcha lemonade
Lemonade Ingredients
1 cup of water
1/2 cup of sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice (1lemon)
Butterfly pea ingredients
2 teaspoons butterfly Pea flower
1 cup of water
Matcha Ingredients
2 teaspoons matcha
1 cup cold water.
To make lemonade
Add sugar and water into a saucepan and bring to the boil, lower the heat and simmer until sugar has completely dissolved, around 3 minutes. Take off the heat, let cool, stir in lemon juice.
To make pea tea
Steep the flowers in hot water for about 5 minutes, the longer you steep the darker the blue tea will be. Discard the flowers, and let cool.
To make match
In a wide-mouth water bottle, pour in cold water then matcha. Close lid and shake for 10 seconds.
Assemble the drink
Fill 2 glasses with ice, pour in the butterfly tea about 1/3 of the way for each cup. Pour in the lemonade until it reaches 2/3 of the cup, then top each cup with matcha
Stir before drinking.
Have you tried butterfly pea tea yet. if so, share your thoughts in the comments box with your creations
