
Do you ever feel stressed, and don’t want to deal with anything for a while? Trust me, we’ve all been there. There are many situations in our lives that might make us crave a fresh beverage, such as the Himalayan Butterfly Blue Pea Flower.
Sometimes we just want to go away to a beach or some hills, far away from the noise and commotion. Having a drink in our hand, just enjoying the peace of mind that we crave. But hold up, you didn’t imagine an alcoholic drink, did you?
Instead of relying on alcohol and chemically made pills to keep you calm, go for a natural, side-effect-free way instead. Take a sip of the Blue Pea Flower tea.
What is Blue Tea?
Commonly known as Blue Tea, the Himalayan Butterfly Blue Pea Flower Tea is a caffeine-free herbal tea. Made from the decoction (or infusion) of petals of the Clitoria Ternatea plant (also known as Aprajita or Asian Pigeonwings). For hundreds of years, the petals of the Blue Pea flower are used to make dyes due to their bright blue colour. It is now famous for use in cocktails and mocktails (such as mood ring cocktails).
What’s So Special About it?
An amazing aspect of this concoction is that it changes colour based on the pH levels of the anti-stress substances added into its concoction. For example, adding lemon juice to the tea will turn it purple.
Served as a refreshment in hotels and spas, this tea is called ‘Nam Dok Anchan’ in Thailand and Vietnam. It can be served both hot and cold and is served alongside fruits or mint.
Backed by Ayurveda, Butterfly Pea Flower tea has been in use as a traditional medicine for ages. Even modern science supports the various health benefits it offers:
Butterfly Blue Pea Flower Helps with Depression
Blue Pea flower, Ajaparita, or Shankhpushpi finds many references in Ayurveda. People have traditionally used it for improving mood and fighting mental issues. The consumption of this beautiful flower has a plethora of pharmacological benefits. One of them is to help with mental illnesses.
Sources have reported that the blue pea flower may have help in coping with depression. Researchers have stated that it has a wide spectrum of neuropharmacological benefits such as nootropic, anti-depressant, and anti-stress properties.
Instead of relying on heavy chemically produced drugs, one should find a natural way to calm their mind and uplift their mood. One such way is to enjoy this beautiful wonder called blue tea.
Butterfly Blue Pea Flower May Improve Skin Health
A lot of people face skin issues that keep recurring and are very difficult to get rid of. Numerous creams and gels and other sorts of products contain chemicals that harm your skin rather than taking care of it. Dermatologists have suggested that the Butterfly Blue Pea flower is rich in polyphenols, proanthocyanidin, and flavonoids, which stop the harmful effects of free radicals that damage and degrade skin.
Blue Tea made from the flower of the Clitoria Ternatea plant is very beneficial for skin health. This pretty blue flower has the power to make your skin as beautiful as a butterfly! On a serious note, studies have demonstrated that the butterfly pea flower may have antiglycation and antioxidant properties.
This antioxidant property protects you from harmful free radicals that cause the collagen in your skin to break- resulting in unflattering skin blemishes like wrinkling, dark spots, fine lines, and loose, saggy skin. This means that this flower has the potential to be a therapeutic solution for age-related skin issues. Including this flower as a part of your skincare regime would be a wise decision.
As a bonus, apart from skin health, the Blue Pea flower also takes care of your hair, due to the presence of anthocyanin – a compound known to increase blood circulation in the head and therefore maintain a healthy scalp. It also helps in strengthening the hair follicles from within.
Butterfly Blue Pea Flower May Improve Cognitive Function
Known as the “Shanka Pushpi”, Blue Pea flower comes under the “Medhya” category in Ayurveda. This means that it may enhance neurological health. Our ancestors have passed down this precious knowledge that now helps us in our daily lives.
Studies demonstrated the neuroprotective properties may significantly improve cognitive health on regular consumption. Other studies also support the idea that the Butterfly Pea Flower could help in improving learning capacity and boosting memory.
These neuropharmacological benefits may also suggest that they can help in the prevention of many neurological ailments.
Butterfly Blue Pea Flower is Antiviral
There are many deadly viruses out there such as Ebola and Covid-19. Even though fighting them is not that easy, several other viruses are less deadly (but still harmful) that can be fought against, without any vaccines. Natural means to fight viruses are rare. One such way is to incorporate herbal teas into our lives. Blue Tea is a perfect example.
Blue pea flowers are often used as a colouring agent in many foods. They are also known to change their colour with the addition of different ingredients. Apart from this, one major health benefit of butterfly pea is its antiviral properties. According to a study, the blue pea flower has shown antivirus properties that may help prevent potential attacks from different viruses.
Butterfly Blue Pea Flower is Antipyretic
This traditional medicinal plant bears flowers that might help you with anything! Another amazing health benefit of the blue pea flower is its antipyretic property.
Research shows that just a freshly brewed cup of blue tea can help in reducing fevers drastically. In another study done on albino rats with yeast-induced pyrexia (fever), the methanol extract of Clitoria ternatea was evaluated for its antipyretic potential.
A single extract of around 300 mg/kg (of body weight) produced a significant reduction in normal body temperature and yeast-provoked elevated temperature in a dose-dependent manner. The effect extended up to 5 hours after administration. This flower does so by expanding the blood vessels under the skin so that the blood flow is increased and your body is cooled down.
The study also suggested that the antipyretic effect of the extract was comparable to that of paracetamol, a standard antipyretic agent.
Blue Pea Flower Contains Very High Amounts of Antioxidants
The extract of Clitoria ternatea L. (the blue pea flower) has undergone a lot of research and has shown a lot of promising health benefits. The most prominent property has to be the antioxidant activity that paves the way for so many benefits.
Studies show that the blue pea flower has been evaluated for antioxidant properties. The reason for most of the benefits is the ample amounts of antioxidants present in this flower – anthocyanin, a potent antioxidant, is the star of the show.
Foods rich in antioxidants are very useful in the prevention of chronic diseases caused by oxidative stress- a condition that is caused by the damage done by free radicals to our cells. This antioxidant is also the main reason behind the skin-nourishing properties of butterfly blue pea. The antioxidants in butterfly pea can rejuvenate the skin by stimulating collagen synthesis and reducing the signs of ageing.
Butterfly Blue Pea Flower is Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammation is a process that our body initiates to protect itself from outside invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. But when the body doesn’t know when to stop, inflammation can have long-term damaging consequences on your body, hence it is essential to include foods that prevent inflammation in your diet.
Research has suggested that butterfly pea contains polyphenols that showed anti-inflammatory properties. Anti-inflammatory and immune boosting components such as flavonoids, tannins, and polyphenols are the main cause behind their benefits.
Pharmacies could also use these flowers to make medicines. Medicines that protect against chronic inflammation. By suppressing the excessive production of pro-inflammatory mediators, this could be possible. Meaning, it can curb the factors that might cause inflammation.
Butterfly Blue Pea Flower is also Anti-Diabetic
Apart from genetics, your lifestyle choices heavily impact your risk of developing type-2 diabetes. Being overweight or obese makes your cells more resistant to the effects of insulin on your blood sugar.
Diabetes patients always have a hard time finding a beverage they could enjoy. Well, they won’t if they have a blue tea beside them! One cup of this beautiful blue potion taken between meals can prove very useful in maintaining blood sugar levels.
Recent research has revealed that the blue pea flower is reported to have antidiabetic activity. It helps inhibit the intake of glucose from the diet and lower blood sugar.
Enjoying a great-tasting beverage and taking care of your health is something you would want for sure. Although there are many antidiabetic drugs available in the market that help prevent diabetes, it is always wise to opt for natural alternatives that do not have any side effects.
Butterfly Blue Pea Flower is Anti-Asthmatic
Asthma is a very common disease with more than 10 million cases per year in India. There is no real cure for it, and living with the constant fear of asthma attacks and relying on pumps or inhalers is not something we would want. One of the natural ways of preventing Asthma is to consume foods having anti-asthmatic properties. For example, you guessed it, the Blue Pea flower.
A lab study evaluated the extract of the Blue Pea plant’s roots. The results demonstrated antiasthmatic activity. This indicates that consumption of blue tea may be beneficial to prevent asthma as well.
It acts as an expectorant and helps in reducing any irritation present in the respiratory organs. For those who have asthma, the extract of these roots may help in suppressing the symptoms.
Butterfly Blue Pea Flower as an Analgesic
There are many natural sources of food that provide analgesic properties – Cloves, Ginger, and essential oils of Rosemary, Peppermint, or Eucalyptus. The blue pea flower is also one of them.
In a recent study, researchers induced writhing in some mice by administrating acetic acid in their blood. Researchers found a significant decrease in the twisting, squirming movements, or contortions of the body after using the extract of Butterfly Blue Pea flower. Indicating that the ethanol extract of the blue pea plant’s root showed analgesic properties.
We are all tired of trying artificial painkillers filled with chemicals. Try a blue tea made by butterfly pea flower and enjoy a natural and refreshing drink that will soothe your pain and help you relax.
The Takeaway
Whether it is a mocktail or a hot evening drink- the Himalayan Butterfly Blue Pea Flower will make your tea-tasting experience colourful and healthy at the same time. The earthy and woody notes of this refreshing beverage will keep you asking for more.
Check out the Himalayan Butterfly Blue Pea Flower by Ono Teas – a pure and aesthetically pleasing blend made from the freshest blue pea flowers. Served hot or iced, this blue potion is sure to make you drool! If you liked the Blue Tea, make sure you check out our other teas from the Mental Wellness Category– Sweet Dreams Tea and Cool Green Ocean are definitely worth trying!