Nurturing Wellness with Butterfly Pea: A Herbalist's Perspective

Clitoria ternatea is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia that is often used to make herbal tea. It is commonly known as butterfly pea or Thai blue tea. This perennial herbaceous plant belongs to the Fabaceae family. Because it is rich in protective antioxidants, it is consumed as an extract to combat free radicals, inflammation, and improve overall health.

Health Benefits

What are the benefits of butterfly pea flowers? They are known to combat inflammatory reactions, support the immune system, and protect joints, the brain, eyes, and skin from damage. The plant can influence our health in the following ways:

1.Rich in Antioxidants Blue tea is considered a natural remedy for the symptoms of many diseases, including fever, inflammation, pain from arthritis caused by collagen degradation, and diabetes. Due to its high antioxidant content, the plant's flowers can combat oxidative stress and free radicals, two major factors in disease development and accelerated aging. These compounds can prevent the growth of cancer cells, protect the liver, brain, heart, blood vessels, and other organs from damage.

2. Possesses Antimicrobial and Immunostimulatory Properties

Butterfly pea flowers are believed to exhibit antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects due to the presence of compounds such as p-coumaric acid and delphinidin glucoside. Consuming this plant and its tea can help fight viruses and infections.

Research suggests that anchan can support digestion and gut health, which is directly linked to immune function, and also protect the gastrointestinal tract from spasms, nausea, heartburn, and ulcers. It can also promote the removal of toxins and stimulate the liver to eliminate "waste" as the tea acts as a mild laxative and diuretic.

Additionally, Clitoria ternatea has anthelmintic properties, which is why it is sometimes used to treat parasitic infections. Another immunostimulatory effect of this plant is its ability to strengthen the respiratory system. The plant helps to remove mucus and fluid from the lungs and respiratory tract, reducing irritation and inflammation, and aiding in the treatment of bronchitis, colds, and coughs. It may also be beneficial for combating allergies and asthma. In Ayurveda, Clitoria ternatea flowers are used to make many preparations for treating respiratory diseases.

3. Supports Cognitive Function

Some studies, including animal experiments, suggest that Clitoria ternatea increases the amount of acetylcholine in the brain. This compound is necessary for maintaining concentration, memory, and other cognitive functions. By protecting against oxidative stress, butterfly pea flowers inhibit age-related memory loss and support overall mental health. They protect against anxiety, chronic stress, depression, and ADHD.

4. Helps Strengthen Vision

The antioxidants in the plant can protect the eyes from free radicals, sunlight, irritants, and the effects of poor nutrition. They also promote blood flow to the eyes. Extracts and eye gels based on Clitoria ternatea are sometimes used for eye problems such as glaucoma, retinal damage, blurred vision, poor night vision, and eye fatigue/dryness/strain.

5. For Skin and Hair Care

When applied topically, butterfly pea flowers can prevent the early signs of skin aging, loss of elasticity, the appearance of wrinkles, and a decrease in skin tone and smoothness. There is evidence that they can moisturize the skin and protect it from harmful sun exposure due to the presence of antioxidants, including polyphenols. The plant's anti-inflammatory properties help to heal rashes, swelling, itching, dermatitis, or allergies that appear on the skin. Clitoria ternatea can also support scalp and hair health. It is believed to stimulate blood flow to hair follicles and reduce inflammation that disrupts normal hair growth. For this reason, it is sometimes used in the production of shampoos, conditioners, and other care products designed for thin and weakened hair.

6. Improves Metabolism

As animal studies have shown, Clitoria ternatea helps combat hypertension (high blood pressure) and lower cholesterol, is involved in the work of the cardiovascular system, and normalizes blood sugar levels. Scientists suggest that the plant can protect against the appearance of symptoms associated with diabetes and insulin resistance due to its ability to block oxidative stress.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your doctor with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.