Butterfly pea, Clitoria ternatea, well-known for its magnificent color which impressively dyes infusions.

It is also very beneficial for health as an infusion; see more details below.

We have chosen to feature it in our brand new in-house blend: "Focus".

This blend brings together many medicinal plants that promote mental acuity, concentration, and memorization.

We invite you to discover butterfly pea alone or in this blend.

Below is the information I have gathered on butterfly pea!

 

Butterfly Pea

Clitoria ternatea from the Fabaceae family

Also known as: Aparajita, Gokarna, Senchan, Hou Dié Dou Hua 蝶形花科

Native to tropical Asia, the flowers, aerial parts, and roots are used in Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and throughout tropical Asia.

Introduction

In India, the root is mainly used, and the leaf is also studied.

We will discuss the flower, whose constituents will not be exactly the same as in the roots and leaves, so we cannot extrapolate all the effects of the root to the flowers. Unfortunately, the butterfly pea flower has fewer scientific papers.

Therefore, I will make connections with the available literature, traditional knowledge I have found, and my understanding of certain therapeutic concepts related to phytochemistry and herbalism traditions.

Above all, this flower is known for the deep blue color of its infusions and the ability of this infusion to change its color spectrum from purple to pink depending on the pH of the solution (and even to green if it is sufficiently alkalized).

 

Phytochemistry

Many know that the substances responsible for this colored action are polyphenols, more specifically anthocyanin flavonoids. Specific anthocyanins to butterfly pea, called "ternatins," derived from delphinidin, have also been discovered.

These molecules are very common in the plant kingdom, found extensively in berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, honeyberries, cherries, strawberries, etc.). Many plants whose coloration revolves around purple, blue, and certain reds therefore contain anthocyanins.

These molecules are recognized for their beneficial effects on blood vessels and their high antioxidant capacity.

At a minimum, we can transpose this effect to the butterfly pea flower, whose stable color is impressive.

Energetics:

According to the philosophy of Chinese medicine, dark-colored foods are foods for the Kidney and what it governs; namely bone marrow, the brain, the skeleton, reproductive organs, and the urinary system, stress management, and proper fluid management in the body.

Very neutral flavor; a slight pea taste. In Chinese medicine, a neutral flavor helps to "drain dampness," an action reflected in a traditional Thai application: use for leucorrhea.

Properties:

Antioxidant

Water extracts would be more effective than alcohol extracts (Gupta et al. 2010) and would contribute to the reduction of inflammation in several pathologies, including arthritis (Adhikary et al. 2018), general anti-inflammatory; oxidative damage caused by peroxide and UV, Zakaria et al., 2018, testicular damage induced by ketoconazole, Iamsaard et al. 2014, macrophage inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharides, Nair et al., 2015, cardiovascular oxidation and lack of nitric oxide; Maneesai et al., 2021)

Blood vessel tonic

The antioxidant qualities mentioned above and other plants containing similar polyphenols are often very beneficial for small blood vessels (capillaries), strengthening them and protecting them from oxidative damage. Furthermore, some scientific references support this. (Maneesai et al., 2021) Protection of blood vessels in diabetes. (Gupta et al., 2010, Chauhan et al. 2017)

In the same vein, we find hibiscus, bilberry leaf, and of course, bilberries and blueberries as fruits!

 

Nootropic

In traditional literature, the root is called "shankpushpi", named after the flower, but it is indeed the root that is used for cognitive problems and to strengthen young people's brains.

The flowers are also effective, but less so than the root (Taranalli et al., 2000). Why deprive oneself? As mentioned above, dark foods tone the Kidney, and the brain is governed by the Kidney.

 

Antiseptic - Moderate Antimicrobial (Pratap et al., 2012, Lakshan et al., 2019)

Tradition reveals its use in this sense, and studies confirm a moderate antibacterial activity. The infusion remains stable for 28 days according to Lakshan, and Pratap observes a moderate activity compared to Terminalia chebula.

Undoubtedly interesting when seeking a gentle action in this regard.

Anthelmintic

Less potent than the root, but to be considered for parasitoses when a gentle effect is desired. Particularly promising if behavior indicating a lack of acetylcholine is observed.

Antihistamine

This has come up several times, and we see its reflection in traditional applications related to the lungs, connected to respiratory allergies, asthma, and bronchitis (Singh et al. 2018)

Hepatoprotective (Nithianantham et al. 2011)

The leaf more than the flowers, white flowers more than blue, so blue flowers have some effect, but not the greatest efficacy. Why deprive yourself? Any liver protection, big or small, is welcome.

In bulk, effects on "blood"

-Effect on blood viscosity, could decrease platelet aggregation…(in vitro), could count as an anti-inflammatory effect.

-Antihypertensive: (Bragueto et al. 2019)

-Protection of erythrocytes (canine) (Phrueksanan et al., 2014)

Effects against metabolic syndrome

Antihyperglycemic (Chusak et al. 2018); prevents large blood glucose variations after a carbohydrate-containing meal.

Attenuation of adipogenesis in vitro: (Chayaratanasin et al. 2019))

Decrease in alpha-amylase activity (Chusak et al., 2018a) (In my opinion, this could cause more digestive fermentation depending on the intestinal flora, be careful with this)

Basically, I would read this as: as part of a diet modification and the addition of a consistent exercise regimen, butterfly pea could contribute to the restoration of normal metabolism in cases of diabetes and hyperlipidemia. A prevalent condition in industrialized countries.

 

Traditional applications:

Flower compresses on eyes for infections

Coloring foods (rice, beverages)

Infusions

Toxicity

very low: (Jeyaraj et al. 2021)

Rats were exposed to 2g/kg of the flower with no toxic effects. For a 50kg human, this would amount to 100g per day, which is a ridiculously huge dosage. A consumption of 5g per day is already a lot.

Therefore, extremely safe.

Botany;

Very easy to cultivate and used as green manure and natural pesticide.

Climbing plant.

References:

Adhikary R, Sultana S, Bishayi B. Clitoria ternatea flower petals: Effect on TNFR1 neutralization via downregulation of synovial matrix metalloproteases. J Ethnopharmacol. 2018 Jan 10;210:209-222. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2017.08.017. Epub 2017 Aug 19. PMID: 28826781.

Bragueto Escher, G., Boscacci Marques, M., Araújo Vieira do Carmo, M., Azevedo, L., Miranda Furtado, M., Sant'Ana, A.S., Cristina da Silva, M., Inês Genovese, M., Wen, M., Zhang, L., Young Oh, W., Shahidi, F., Deliberali Rosso, N., Granato, D., Clitoria ternatea petal bioactive compounds display antioxidant, antihemolytic and antihypertensive effects, inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities and reduce human LDL cholesterol and DNA induced oxidation, Food Research International (2019), doi: https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.foodres.2019.108763

Chauhan NS, Singh NK, Gupta JK et al (2017) A Review on Clitoria ternatea (Linn.): Chemistry and Pharmacology. Medicinal Plants and its Therapeutic Uses. OMICS Group eBooks, CA, USA. ISBN: 1632780747

Chayaratanasin P, Caobi A, Suparpprom C, Saenset S, Pasukamonset P, Suanpairintr N, Barbieri MA, Adisakwattana S. Clitoria ternatea Flower Petal Extract Inhibits Adipogenesis and Lipid Accumulation in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes by Downregulating Adipogenic Gene Expression. Molecules. 2019 May 17;24(10):1894. doi: 10.3390/molecules24101894. PMID: 31108834; PMCID: PMC6571662.

Chusak C, Thilavech T, Henry CJ, Adisakwattana S. Acute effect of Clitoria ternatea flower beverage on glycemic response and antioxidant capacity in healthy subjects: a randomized crossover trial. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018 Jan 8;18(1):6. doi: 10.1186/s12906-017-2075-7. PMID: 29310631; PMCID: PMC5759795

Gupta, Girish & Chahal, Jagbir & Bhatia, Manisha. (2010). Clitoria ternatea (L.): Old and new aspects. Journal of Pharmacy Research. 03. 2610-2614.

Iamsaard S, Burawat J, Kanla P, Arun S, Sukhorum W, Sripanidkulchai B, Uabundit N, Wattathorn J, Hipkaeo W, Fongmoon D, Kondo H. Antioxidant activity and protective effect of Clitoria ternatea flower extract on testicular damage induced by ketoconazole in rats. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2014 Jun;15(6):548-55. doi: 10.1631/jzus.B1300299. PMID: 24903992; PMCID: PMC4116859.

Jeyaraj EJ, Lim YY, Choo WS. Extraction methods of butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) flower and biological activities of its phytochemicals. J Food Sci Technol. 2021 Jun;58(6):2054-2067. doi: 10.1007/s13197-020-04745-3. Epub 2020 Sep 1. PMID: 33967304; PMCID: PMC8076379.

Lakshan SAT, Jayanath NY, Abeysekera WPKM, Abeysekera WKSM. A Commercial Potential Blue Pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) Flower Extract Incorporated Beverage Having Functional Properties. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019 May 20;2019:2916914. doi: 10.1155/2019/2916914. PMID: 31236123; PMCID: PMC6545798.

Maneesai P, Iampanichakul M, Chaihongsa N, Poasakate A, Potue P, Rattanakanokchai S, Bunbupha S, Chiangsaen P, Pakdeechote P. Butterfly Pea Flower (Clitoria ternatea Linn.) Extract Ameliorates Cardiovascular Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress in Nitric Oxide-Deficient Hypertensive Rats. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021 Mar 27;10(4):523. doi: 10.3390/antiox10040523. PMID: 33801631; PMCID: PMC8065438.

Nair V, Bang WY, Schreckinger E, Andarwulan N, Cisneros-Zevallos L. Protective Role of Ternatin Anthocyanins and Quercetin Glycosides from Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea Leguminosae) Blue Flower Petals against Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-Induced Inflammation in Macrophage Cells. J Agric Food Chem. 2015 Jul 22;63(28):6355-65. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5b00928. Epub 2015 Jul 10. PMID: 26120869.

Nithianantham K, Shyamala M, Chen Y, Latha LY, Jothy SL, Sasidharan S. Hepatoprotective potential of Clitoria ternatea leaf extract against paracetamol induced damage in mice. Molecules. 2011 Dec 6;16(12):10134-45. doi: 10.3390/molecules161210134. PMID: 22146374; PMCID: PMC6264671.

Oguis GK, Gilding EK, Jackson MA, Craik DJ. Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea), a Cyclotide-Bearing Plant With Applications in Agriculture and Medicine. Front Plant Sci. 2019 May 28;10:645. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00645. PMID: 31191573; PMCID: PMC6546959.

Pratap GM, Manoj KM, Sai SA, Sujatha B, Sreedevi E. Evaluation of three medicinal plants for anti-microbial activity. Ayu. 2012 Jul;33(3):423-8. doi: 10.4103/0974-8520.108859. PMID: 23723653; PMCID: PMC3665089.

Singh NK, Garabadu D, Sharma P, Shrivastava SK, Mishra P. Anti-allergy and anti-tussive activity of Clitoria ternatea L. in experimental animals. J Ethnopharmacol. 2018 Oct 5;224:15-26. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2018.05.026. Epub 2018 May 19. PMID: 29787795.

Taranalli AD, Cheeramkuzhy TC. Influence of clitoria ternatea extracts on memory and central cholinergic activity in rats. Pharm Biol. 2000;38(1):51-6. doi: 10.1076/1388-0209(200001)3811-BFT051. PMID: 21214440.

Zakaria NNA, Okello EJ, Howes MJ, Birch-Machin MA, Bowman A. In vitro protective effects of an aqueous extract of Clitoria ternatea L. flower against hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity and UV-induced mtDNA damage in human keratinocytes. Phytother Res. 2018 Jun;32(6):1064-1072. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6045. Epub 2018 Feb 21. PMID: 29464849.