# Aparajita

> Aparajita (Clitoria ternatea L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family. Not in WHO monographs; recognized in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; GRAS status for food coloring in several countries; FDA-approved as food color additive in the US (2021).

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Clitoria ternatea L.
- **Family:** Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Not in WHO monographs; recognized in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; GRAS status for food coloring in several countries; FDA-approved as food color additive in the US (2021)

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Aparajita |
| Latin/Botanical | *Clitoria ternatea L.* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- [Anthocyanins](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#anthocyanins) (delphinidin-3,5-diglucoside - ternatin series)
- [Cyclotides](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#cyclotides) (ultra-stable macrocyclic [peptides](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#peptides))
- [Kaempferol](/reference/kaempferol/) [glycosides](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#glycosides)
- [Quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/) and [myricetin](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#myricetin) glycosides
- [Taraxerol](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#taraxerol) and taraxerone ([triterpenoids](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#triterpenoids))
- [Aparajitin](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#aparajitin) (unique peptide)

## How does it work?

- [Nootropic](/glossary/pharmacology/#nootropic) and memory-enhancing effects via acetylcholinesterase inhibition and modulation of cholinergic neurotransmission
- Anti-inflammatory action through suppression of NF-kB pathway and interaction with SRC, ESR1, PI3KR1 protein targets
- [Antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) activity via anthocyanin-mediated free radical scavenging and upregulation of endogenous antioxidant [enzymes](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#enzymes)
- [Anxiolytic](/reference/anxiolytic/) effect through GABAergic modulation comparable to benzodiazepines

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Memory enhancer and nootropic (Medhya [Rasayana](/reference/rasayana/)) - validated through multiple studies showing improved memory and learning in animal models via cholinergic mechanism
- Anxiolytic and antidepressant (Unmada-nashaka) - confirmed anxiolytic and antidepressant effects comparable to standard drugs in preclinical studies
- Anti-diabetic (Pramehaghna) - validated through in vivo studies showing blood [glucose](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#glucose) reduction and improved insulin sensitivity
- Complexion enhancer and eye health (Varnya, [Chakshushya](/herb/chakshushya/)) - partially validated through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Ahmed N, Tabassum N, Rashid PT and others 2024. [Clitoria ternatea L. (Butterfly Pea) Flower Against Endometrial Pain: Integrating Preliminary In Vivo and In Vitro Experimentations Supported by Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Studies](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39598271/). *Life (Basel, Switzerland)*. PMID [39598271](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39598271/) · [doi:10.3390/life14111473](https://doi.org/10.3390/life14111473)  
  Demonstrated 91.47% suppression of heat-induced hemolysis and 81.89% inhibition of paw edema at 400 mg/kg; molecular docking showed strong binding of flavylium, kaempferol, and [quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/) to SRC, ESR1, and PI3KR1 targets.

*2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- Generally recognized as safe; widely consumed as herbal tea (butterfly pea tea) globally; no significant adverse effects reported at culinary doses
- Limited human clinical trial data (only 3 clinical studies identified as of 2025); caution advised during pregnancy due to traditional emmenagogue use; potential interactions with anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs due to blood platelet aggregation inhibition

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (root/seed powder), Swarasa (flower juice), Capsule, Tablet, Phanta (flower infusion — blue tea), Taila (medicated oil), Nasya (nasal drops)

**Standard Dosage:** 2-5g root powder twice daily; 500mg-1g extract capsule; 10-20ml flower juice; blue tea infusion ad libitum

**Bioavailability:** Moderate oral bioavailability. Clitoria ternatea contains cyclotides (CT1-CT12), anthocyanins (ternatin A1-D3), and flavonol glycosides. Cyclotides have unusual oral stability due to cyclic cystine knot structure — survive GI transit with some intact absorption. Delphinidin-based anthocyanins (ternatins) have moderate bioavailability (~12-15%), enhanced by acidic medium. Taraxerol shows good absorption with lipid co-administration.

**Optimal Timing:** Morning on empty stomach for Medhya (cognitive) effects; blue tea anytime; root powder with warm milk at bedtime for Vata pacification

**Standardized Extract:** Root extract (10:1) standardized to minimum 5% total [flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/). Flower extract standardized to minimum 15% total anthocyanins (as delphinidin-3-glucoside equivalent). Cyclotide-enriched extract for research applications.

**Shelf Life:** 2 years (root powder); 18 months (flower powder — anthocyanins degrade); 3 years (capsules/tablets with stability); 1 year (blue tea bags)

**Storage:** Protect from light and moisture (anthocyanins are photosensitive). Airtight containers, cool and dry, below 25°C. Nitrogen-flush packaging for flower powder.

**Marker Compounds:** Ternatin A1-D3 (anthocyanins), Taraxerol, Taraxerone, Kaempferol glycosides, Cliotide CT1-CT12 (cyclotides), Delphinidin-3,3',5'-triglucoside, Aparajitin

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous infusion for anthocyanin-rich flower preparation
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30) for flavonoid and cyclotide enrichment
- Ethanol extraction for taraxerol and flavonoids
- Supercritical CO2 for lipophilic terpenoid fraction
- pH-controlled aqueous extraction for anthocyanin optimization (pH 2-3)

### Synergistic Combinations

- With [Brahmi](/herb/brahmi/) for Medhya (nootropic) action — classical combination
- With Shankhapushpi for memory enhancement
- With [Vacha](/herb/vacha/) for cognitive support and speech disorders
- With [Ashwagandha](/herb/ashwagandha/) for anxiolytic synergy
- With [Yashtimadhu](/herb/yashtimadhu/) for neuroprotection

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/aparajita/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.