# Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea)

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/butterfly-pea
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-20
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Ayurveda
**Also Known As:** Clitoria ternatea, Asian pigeonwings, Blue pea, Cordofan pea, Darwin pea, Aparajita, Shankhpushpi, Bunga telang

## Overview

Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) is a leguminous plant whose primary bioactive compounds — anthocyanin-based ternatins and cyclotide peptides — drive its antioxidant, [neuroprotective](/ingredients/condition/cognitive), and [immunomodulatory](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) effects. These compounds act via [free radical scaveng](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant)ing, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, and modulation of [inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) cytokine pathways.

## Health Benefits

• Acts as an antioxidant, scavenging [free radical](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant)s (in vitro studies).[2]
• Exhibits anti-proliferative properties in cell lines, suggesting potential anticancer effects (preclinical research).[2][5]
• Demonstrates immunosuppressive properties in preclinical models via cyclotides.[2]
• Possesses insecticidal activity, with cyclotides permeabilizing insect membranes at low concentrations.[2]
• Contains triterpenoids like taraxerol, which show anticancer activity in vitro.[2]

## Mechanism of Action

Butterfly pea's ternatin anthocyanins scavenge [reactive oxygen species](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) and inhibit lipid peroxidation by donating hydrogen atoms to free radicals, protecting cellular membranes. The plant's cyclotide peptides suppress immune activation by inhibiting proliferation of lymphocytes and downregulating [pro-inflammatory cytokine](/ingredients/condition/inflammation)s including IL-2 and TNF-α. Additionally, root and seed extracts inhibit [acetylcholine](/ingredients/condition/cognitive)sterase activity, preserving synaptic acetylcholine levels and supporting cholinergic neurotransmission relevant to cognition and memory.

## Clinical Summary

The majority of evidence for butterfly pea originates from in vitro cell-line studies and rodent models, with very limited human clinical trials. A small Thai crossover study (n=60) found that a single dose of butterfly pea flower extract improved spatial [working memory](/ingredients/condition/cognitive) scores compared to placebo, though effect sizes were modest. Preclinical rodent studies demonstrate anxiolytic effects comparable to diazepam at doses of 50–100 mg/kg of aqueous extract, and [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) effects have been documented via carrageenan-induced paw edema models. Overall, the evidence base remains preliminary; well-powered, placebo-controlled human RCTs are lacking, limiting definitive efficacy claims.

## Nutritional Profile

Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea) flowers and plant parts contain a range of bioactive compounds and nutrients, though comprehensive quantitative nutritional data is primarily derived from leaf, seed, and flower analyses rather than standardized supplement forms. Key components include: 

• ANTHOCYANINS (Primary Bioactives): Flowers contain 1.0–3.0 mg/g dry weight of anthocyanins, predominantly ternatins (polyacylated delphinidin-based anthocyanins: ternatin A1, A2, B1, B2, B3, B4, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, D1, D2, D3) and delphinidins. These are pH-sensitive pigments responsible for the characteristic blue color. Bioavailability is moderate and influenced by gut microbiota [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management) and food matrix interactions.

• CYCLOTIDES: Cyclic peptides including cliotides (Ct1–Ct32) and kalata-related peptides at approximately 0.1–1.0 mg/g dry plant material. These are resistant to proteolytic degradation, conferring unusual bioavailability for peptide compounds.

• FLAVONOIDS & PHENOLICS: Total flavonoid content in flowers approximately 10–25 mg quercetin equivalents/g dry weight. Includes kaempferol glycosides, quercetin, myricetin, and triterpenoids. Total phenolic content reported at 15–40 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight.

• PROANTHOCYANIDINS & TANNINS: Present in seeds and pods at approximately 2–5% dry weight.

• PROTEIN (Seeds): Seed protein content approximately 17–24% dry weight, containing essential amino acids including lysine (~5.2 g/100g protein), threonine, and methionine (limiting amino acid). Protein digestibility is moderate due to presence of trypsin inhibitors.

• CARBOHYDRATES (Seeds): Total carbohydrate approximately 50–60% dry weight; dietary fiber approximately 6–8% dry weight including both soluble and insoluble fractions.

• LIPIDS (Seeds): Crude fat approximately 2–4% dry weight; fatty acid profile includes palmitic acid (~25%), stearic acid (~5%), oleic acid (~20%), linoleic acid (~40%), and linolenic acid (~5%).

• MINERALS (Leaves/Seeds): Calcium ~120–180 mg/100g dry weight; Iron ~6–12 mg/100g dry weight; Phosphorus ~200–350 mg/100g dry weight; Magnesium ~80–120 mg/100g dry weight; Zinc ~2–4 mg/100g dry weight. Bioavailability of minerals is reduced by presence of phytic acid (0.5–1.2% in seeds).

• VITAMINS: Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) in fresh leaves approximately 20–40 mg/100g fresh weight; Vitamin A precursors (beta-carotene) approximately 150–300 µg/100g fresh leaves; B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin) present in trace amounts in leaves and seeds.

• SAPONINS: Triterpenoid saponins (including clitorins) at approximately 0.5–2.0% dry weight in roots and seeds; may reduce mineral bioavailability and cause GI irritation at high doses.

• STEROLS: Beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and campesterol identified in seeds and roots at trace concentrations (~0.1–0.5 mg/g dry weight).

• ALKALOIDS: Trace alkaloids including taraxerol and taraxerone reported in roots.

• BIOAVAILABILITY NOTES: Anthocyanins from flowers show peak plasma appearance within 1–2 hours post-ingestion in general anthocyanin studies; [gut microbiome](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) converts anthocyanins to protocatechuic acid and other phenolic metabolites. Cyclotides exhibit unusual oral stability. Anti-nutritional factors (phytates, trypsin inhibitors, saponins) in seeds require soaking/cooking to improve nutrient bioavailability. Most quantitative data derives from South/Southeast Asian cultivars; significant variation exists across growing conditions and plant parts used.

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied dosage ranges are available due to the lack of human trials. Traditional uses in food coloring and as an insecticide do not specify biomedical dosing. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Butterfly pea is generally regarded as safe when consumed in culinary amounts such as herbal teas, with no serious adverse events reported in short-term human use. Its cyclotides exhibit immunosuppressive properties in preclinical models, raising theoretical concern about additive effects when combined with immunosuppressant drugs such as cyclosporine or corticosteroids. Due to observed uterotonic activity in animal studies, butterfly pea is contraindicated during pregnancy. Individuals taking anticholinergic or cholinergic medications should exercise caution given the plant's [acetylcholine](/ingredients/condition/cognitive)sterase inhibitory activity.

## Scientific Research

No human clinical trials or meta-analyses are available for butterfly pea. The existing research is limited to preclinical studies focused on its [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant), anti-proliferative, and insecticidal properties, with no PubMed PMIDs provided for human trials.

## Historical & Cultural Context

Butterfly pea has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and Southeast Asian traditional medicine as a brain tonic, [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation), and diuretic. It is also used as a natural food colorant and eco-friendly insecticide.

## Synergistic Combinations

Green tea, turmeric, ginger, ashwagandha, ginseng

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is butterfly pea flower used for in Ayurvedic medicine?

In Ayurvedic tradition, Clitoria ternatea — called Shankhpushpi — has been used for centuries as a medhya rasayana, a class of herbs intended to enhance memory, intellect, and nervous system function. It was traditionally prepared as a root decoction or milk infusion at doses of approximately 3–6 grams of dried root powder to support cognitive vitality and reduce anxiety.

### Does butterfly pea flower improve memory or cognitive function?

Preclinical studies in rodents show that butterfly pea extract at 50–100 mg/kg improves performance in maze and passive avoidance tasks, attributed to acetylcholinesterase inhibition that raises synaptic acetylcholine. One small human crossover study (n=60) reported statistically significant improvements in spatial working memory following a single oral dose of butterfly pea extract, though the study was short-term and findings have not been replicated in larger trials.

### What gives butterfly pea flower its blue color and is it an antioxidant?

The vivid blue color comes from a family of polyacylated anthocyanins called ternatins (ternatin A1 through D3), which are structurally more stable than most plant anthocyanins due to their acylation pattern. These ternatins exhibit significant DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity in vitro, with IC50 values comparable to standard antioxidants, though in vivo bioavailability and antioxidant efficacy in humans remain inadequately studied.

### Is butterfly pea flower safe to drink every day as a tea?

Short-term daily consumption of butterfly pea flower tea (typically 1–3 grams of dried flowers steeped in hot water) appears well tolerated in healthy, non-pregnant adults based on traditional use and limited safety data. No controlled toxicity studies in humans have established a formal no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL), though rodent acute toxicity studies place the LD50 of aqueous extract above 2,000 mg/kg, suggesting a wide safety margin. Pregnant individuals should avoid it due to uterotonic effects observed in animal models.

### Does butterfly pea flower interact with any medications?

Butterfly pea's cyclotide-mediated immunosuppressive activity creates a theoretical additive risk with pharmaceutical immunosuppressants such as tacrolimus, mycophenolate, or azathioprine, potentially over-suppressing immune function. Its acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity may interfere with anticholinergic drugs (e.g., oxybutynin, diphenhydramine) by opposing their mechanism, or may potentiate cholinesterase inhibitors like donepezil. Individuals on these drug classes should consult a healthcare provider before supplementing with butterfly pea extracts.

### Is butterfly pea flower safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

There is insufficient clinical data on butterfly pea flower safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so it is generally recommended to avoid use during these periods as a precaution. Traditional use in some cultures does not guarantee safety in these sensitive populations. Consult a healthcare provider before use if pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding.

### What is the recommended daily dosage of butterfly pea flower tea or extract?

Most traditional preparations use 1–2 teaspoons of dried butterfly pea flowers per cup of hot water, steeped for 5–10 minutes, typically consumed once or twice daily. For standardized extracts, dosing varies by product concentration; follow manufacturer guidelines or consult a healthcare practitioner. Clinical studies are limited, so established dosage recommendations based on robust human trials are not yet available.

### How does butterfly pea flower compare to other blue-pigmented botanicals for antioxidant content?

Butterfly pea flower derives its distinctive blue color from anthocyanin-based compounds including delphinidin, which is also found in blueberries and bilberry but in different concentrations and profiles. In vitro studies suggest butterfly pea has measurable antioxidant activity, though direct head-to-head comparisons with other blue botanicals in human studies are lacking. The bioavailability and clinical impact of butterfly pea's anthocyanins relative to other sources remain understudied.

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