Aparajita, Butterfly Pea (Clitoria Ternatea)

Clitoria ternatea or Aparajita is very useful medicinal herb for brain. It's belong to Fabaceae family. The flowers of this vine have the shape of human female genitals, hence the Latin name of the genus "Clitoria", from "clitoris". Aparajita is an ancient Indian medicinal herb. This medicinal herb has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and memory improving properties.

According to Ayurveda, Aparajita is considered as ‘Medhya drug’ or one that improves mental abilities, intellect and works on nervous system. It is also nootropic, antistress, anxiolytic, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, tranquilizing and sedative agent.

This plant is native to tropical equatorial Asia, but has been introduced to Africa, Australia and America. Almost throughout India, wild or cultivated.

In South India Aparajita tree is used as Shankhapushpi. Its use improves learning and memory.

Types of Plant’s Verities

•   Blue flowers.
•   White flowers.
•   Ksudra Sveta.
•   Sveta aparajitha.
•   Mahasevta aparajitha.
•   Katabhi.

Composition Of ClitoriaTernatea

Chemical analysis of butterfly pea (C. ternatea) has revealed that it contains anthocyanins, flavonoid glycosides, a variety of triterpenoids, and plant-based steroids. Scientists have also isolated a form of peptides called cliotides from the portion of C. ternatea extract that is heat-stable.

Common Synonyms Of Clitoria Ternatea

•   Family Name : Aparajitadivarga (Papilionaceae).
•   English Name : Butterfly Pea, Winged-leaved, Clitoria, Mezereon
•   Sanskrit Name : Girikarnikaa, Kokilaa,Yonipushpaa, Vishnukraantaa
•   Hindi Name : Koyala, Heel koyala, Aparajita.
•   Bengali Name : Aparajita
•   Tamil Name : Kakkanam kakkatan.
•   Malayalam Name : Shankhapushpam, Aral, Kakkanamakoti
•   Telugu Name : Dintena, Sankupushpam, Nallavusinitige.

Classification of Clitoria Ternatea

•   Kingdom– Plantae.
•   Order– Rosales.
•   Class– Dicotyledons.
•   Sub Class– Polypetalae.
•   Series– Calyciflorae.
•   Family– Papilionaceae.
•   Genus– Clitoria.
•   Species– Ternatea.

•   Charak- Sirovirecanopaga varga.
•   Sushrut- Not Mentioned in Gana.
•   Bh.Pr.Ni.- Guducyadi varga.

Habitat of Clitoria Ternatea

Almost throughout India, wild or cultivated. Western - north India (Marwad), Egypt, Syria. Mesopotamia, Iraq. Persia, Arabia, Afghanistan etc. Dates and dhamasa grow in sandy regions.

Uses & Effectiveness

•   Medhya– Improves intelligence.Aparajita powder with honey helps in improvement of intellect.
•   Sudrushtida– Improves vision, good for eyes.
•   Kanthya– Improves voice, good for throat.Decoction of aparajita with yastinmadhu is effective in voice enhancement.
•   Mutra– Cleanses bladder.
•   kushta– Useful in skin diseases.Aparajita swaras with khadir churna gives good results in kushtha.
•   Ama– relieves indigestion, malabsorption.Powder of trivrutta ,aparajita and haritaki ultered the diagestive passage.
•   Tridosha– Balances Tridosha.
•   Shothavrana– Acts as natural anti inflammatory herb.
•   Smruti-buddhida -Improves memory and concentration.
•   Vishaapaha -Detoxfying, effective in cases of poisoning.

Effects On Doshas

Sariva is a tridosha shamaka which means it brings all three doshas into equilibrium. Since it is sweet in taste and has an oily quality, it pacifies Vata dosha as well. Due to its cold potency, it pacifies Pitta dosha. Due to its bitter taste, it pacifies Kapha dosha.

Part Used

•   Leaves
•   Roots
•   Seed

Ayurvedic Properties of Clitoria Ternatea

Hindi	Sanskrit	English
Rasa	Kashaya	Taste	Katu, Tikta
Veerya	Sheet	Potency	Sheet
Vipaka	Katu	Post-digestive effect	Katu
Guna	Laghu	Characteristics	Laghu, Tikshna

Side Effects of Clitoria Ternatea

Though no side effects have come to the fore, yet it is recommended not to prolong the consumption of blue butterfly pea. If you are pregnant or are breastfeeding, it is advised to take your doctor’s opinion before you include blue butterfly pea tea in your diet.

Ancient View of this Herb