Flower

Butterfly Pea

SanskritAparajitaBotanicalClitoria ternateaAlso calledBlue pea, Asian pigeonwings, Shankhapushpi (in some regions)

A deep blue flower that brews a cooling, earthy tea and turns violet with a squeeze of lemon. A favorite for a clear, quiet mind.

Butterfly Pea, flower

Aparajita means "the unconquered one." In India this climbing vine is sacred to the goddess Durga, and its blue and white blossoms are offered in worship. Ayurveda counts it among the medhya herbs, plants that are said to nourish the mind and memory.

Drop a few dried flowers into hot water and the tea turns an almost unreal shade of blue. Add lemon or lime and it shifts to purple in seconds. The taste is mild and a little earthy, like a soft green tea without the bite. It is a cooling cup, often brewed when the mind feels scattered or overheated.

Ayurvedic Properties

RasaTastes
  • Bitter
  • Astringent
  • Pungent
ViryaHeating or cooling
Cooling
VipakaPost-digestive effect
Pungent
AgniEffect on digestion
Neutral for agni

Little direct effect on digestion.

GunaQualities
  • Light
  • Dry
TridoshaEffect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha
  • Vata: decreases, in moderation
  • Pitta: decreases
  • Kapha: decreases
  • decreases (calms that dosha)
  • increases (can aggravate it)
  • neutral or balancing
  • not known
  • V Vata · P Pitta · K Kapha

Aparajita is described as cooling and clearing, which suits pitta and kapha well. Vata types can enjoy it too, ideally warm and with a little honey to soften its light, dry quality.

Traditional Uses

  • Traditionally used to support memory, focus and a clear mind as a medhya herb.
  • Traditionally used to support a calm, steady mood.
  • Traditionally used to support a cool, comfortable body in hot weather.
  • Traditionally used to support devotional practice as an offering to the goddess.

How People Use It

  • TeaSteep 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried flowers (roughly 5 to 8 blossoms) in a cup of hot water for 5 minutes, until deep blue.
  • WaterFor a cooling summer drink, cold-steep the flowers in a jar of water in the fridge for a few hours, then strain.
  • FoodIn Southeast Asian kitchens the tea is used to color rice and sweets a gentle blue. Cook rice in strained butterfly pea tea instead of plain water.
Try This

Color-Changing Aparajita Lemonade

A cool, playful drink for a hot afternoon.

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 teaspoons dried butterfly pea flowers
  • Juice of half a lemon or 1 lime
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup
  • A few fresh mint leaves (optional)
  1. Pour hot water over the flowers and steep for 5 minutes. Strain and let it cool.
  2. Stir in honey while the tea is still a little warm, then chill.
  3. Pour into a glass with mint, then add the citrus and watch it turn violet.
  4. Sip in the shade and enjoy the show.

Pairs Well With

Cautions

  • Safety research on butterfly pea flower tea in people is limited. Most studies are in the lab or in animals.
  • Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established, so it is best avoided then unless your midwife or doctor says otherwise.
  • If you take medicines for blood sugar or blood pressure, or any regular medication, check with your doctor first, since research on interactions is lacking.
  • Please consult a qualified practitioner or your doctor before using it regularly.

In Our Shop

Organic Butterfly Pea Flower

Organic Butterfly Pea Flower, from $11.25. Weighed and packed by hand at our Rockville Centre studio.

Shop Butterfly Pea →

From the Journal

Sources and Further Reading

This page shares how herbs are traditionally used in Ayurveda and other herbal traditions. It is for general education only and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and herbs are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please talk with your doctor or a qualified practitioner before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition.