The Wonders of Blueternate Flower

Blueternate Flower

 I was praying to God to guide me on what to do with the money someone had lent me to start up a small business. I was browsing through the internet to search for some stuff to buy and sell afterward. Suddenly, I remembered a post about a blue flower with lots of health benefits, luckily I was able to remember its name and checked if it was available on Shopee, and thank God it was. I ordered a few seeds to start up and hoping they will germinate soon.

I have friends and loved ones who are suffering from cancer and mental illness, the expenses on medication are so frustrating, I was thinking about how can I find or offer some cheap alternatives. I’ve been a fan of alternative medicines and I believe that these plants are going to help some of my friends without spending too much amount just to get cured or alleviate their conditions.

"Clitoria ternatea, commonly known as Asian pigeonwings,^[1] bluebellvine, blue pea, butterfly pea, cordofan pea and Darwin pea,^[2]is a plant species belonging to the family Fabaceae."

In India, it is revered as a holy flower, used in daily puja rituals. It is called "Shanku poolu / Shanku hoova" as it resembles a "Conch shell". In West Bengal, it is known as অপরাজিতা (Aparajita).

The flowers of this vine were imagined to have the shape of human female genitals, hence the Latin name of the genus "Clitoria", from "clitoris".   In Southeast Asia, the flower is used as a natural food colouring to colour glutinous rice. In Kelantan, east part of Malaysia, by adding a few buds of this flower in a pot while cooking white rice will add bluish tint on the rice which is served with other side dishes and such meal is called nasi kerabu. In Burmese and Thai cuisines, the flowers are also dipped in batter and fried.

Butterfly pea flower tea is made from the ternatea flowers and dried lemongrass and changes color depending on what is added to the liquid, with lemon juice turning it purple.^[3]In Thailand and Vietnam, this butterfly blue pea flower tea is commonly mixed with honey and lemon to increase acidity and turn the beverage a pink-purple color, to produce for a drink usually served after dinner, or as a refreshment at hotels and spas.^[4] The drink is a typical local drink like chamomile tea is in other parts of the world.^[4] The tea is found in both hot and cold varieties ^[5]

The flowers have more recently been used a in a color-changing gin. Blue in the bottle, it turns pink when mixed with a carbonatedmixer such as tonic water due to the change in pH.^[6] As organic colours are not permanent, this type of gin is recommended to be stored in a dark place to maintain the effect.^[7] "  Source: Wikipedia

So, here are the Benefits of Butterfly Pea (Clitoria Ternatea):

• Improve eyesight

Clitoria Ternatea contains an antioxidant called proanthocyanidin, which increases blood flow to the capillaries of the eyes, useful in the treatment of glaucoma, blurred vision, retinal damage, or tired eyes.

• Improve hair growth

Rich in bioflavonoids, Butterfly Pea can promote hair growth and reduce greying of hair.

• Improve skin

Butterfly Pea’s antioxidants stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis, which helps rejuvenate the skin and lessen wrinkles and other signs of aging.

• Aphrodisiac

Butterfly Pea has been traditionally used as an aphrodisiac, particularly for women, and used to treat menstruation problems or white vaginal discharge (leucorrhoea).

• Antioxidant

Flavonoids, anthocyanins, and phenolic compounds in Butterfly Pea flowers activate antioxidant activity, which helps decrease oxidative stress caused by disease-causing and aging free radicals.

• Nootropic

Butterfly Pea has been shown to enhance cognitive function and boost brain function.

• Diuretic

Butterfly Pea promotes normal urination, which in turn lowers blood pressure

• Analgesic

Clitoria Ternatea has been used traditionally as a local anesthetic as it has been shown to help relieve pain and swelling.

• Anxiolytic

Butterfly Pea has a calming effect on the body, reducing stress and anxiety

• Anti-inflammatory

The deep indigo flowers contain flavonoids. Found in almost all fruits and vegetables, flavonoids are powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and immune system benefits.

• Anti-Asthmatic

It is used in common cold, cough & asthma as it acts as an expectorant and reduces the irritation of respiratory organs.

• Anti-anxiety and depression

Indications are that high doses of Butterfly Pea may be adaptogenic – helping the body deal with stressors.

• Anti-diabetic

Butterfly Pea has been shown to inhibit glucose intake from the diet.

• Anti-HIV

Butterfly Pea is one of the few herbs to contain cyclotides, which have exhibited anti-HIV effects in studies.

• Anti-cancer and anti-tumor

Clitoria Ternatea’s cyclotides can cause cancer cell death by disrupting cell membrane integrity.

• Anti-microbial

In several Indian studies, Butterfly Pea exhibited significant anti-microbial effects against Staphylococcus Aureus.

• Anti-convulsant

Butterfly Pea has been shown to help reduce the severity and stress on the body from convulsions useful in treating epilepsy.

• Anti-pyretic

Clitoria Ternatea can help reduce fever by dilating the blood vessels right beneath the skin, whereby air can cool the blood more easily.

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