For hundreds of years, people have used Butterfly Pea Flower clitoria ternatea not only for its use as a vegetable dye in food and clothing, but also as part of a healthy decoction in Ayurvedic healing and throughout South and East Asia. Thought to have a possible analgesic effect, Butterfly Pea Flower may also relieve inflammation, insomnia, stress, and protect against cardiovascular disease*.
Butterfly Pea Flowers contain potent antioxidants, like quercetin, that are known to protect against the damaging effects of free radicals.* Antioxidants also help to slow down the aging process and protect against premature aging.* They can boost the appearance and health of your skin, hair, and nails.*
While all brightly colored fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants, many naturally occurring purple-colored foods contain a type of antioxidant called anthocyanin that further helps to build and restore the skin’s collagen.* Anthocyanins are water-soluble compounds that occur naturally in certain pigmented blue, red, purple, and black foods and flowers.
While studies are ongoing, it's too early to say conclusively whether purple foods containing anthocyanins deserve to be lauded as 'superfoods' as they have been in some media reports. Previous research has linked anthocyanins to a wide variety of health claims including increased longevity, cardiovascular health, cancer prevention and dementia.
Not only is this a visually beautiful flower, the tea that is brewed is a stunning, bright color that changes depending upon the pH of the water being used. Squeezing lemon into your tea will create a bright magenta color, while a higher pH will create a more blue-violet appearance.
The taste is mildly earthy and pleasant. It can be enjoyed alone or with honey and/or lemon. It also pairs well with our Organic Hibiscus for its lively brightness (packed with Vitamin C and other antioxidants) and complimentary, vibrant color.
Brewing- 12 oz., 2 g at 175°F for 5-10 min
1 oz. of Butterfly Pea Flower will yield 12-14 cups of brewed tea
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.