Aparajita
Clitoria ternatea L.
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).
| Botanical name | Clitoria ternatea L. |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) · other entries in this family |
| Order | Fabales |
| 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) |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2946519 · Wikidata Q312265 · NCBI Taxonomy 43366 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Aparajita |
| Latin/Botanical | Clitoria ternatea L. |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Anthocyanins (delphinidin-3,5-diglucoside - ternatin series)
- Cyclotides (ultra-stable macrocyclic peptides)
- Kaempferol glycosides
- Quercetin and myricetin glycosides
- Taraxerol and taraxerone (triterpenoids)
- Aparajitin (unique peptide)
How does it work?
- 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 activity via anthocyanin-mediated free radical scavenging and upregulation of endogenous antioxidant enzymes
- Anxiolytic effect through GABAergic modulation comparable to benzodiazepines
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
- Memory enhancer and nootropic (Medhya 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 reduction and improved insulin sensitivity
- Complexion enhancer and eye health (Varnya, 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. Life (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 39598271 · doi: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 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. 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 for Medhya (nootropic) action — classical combination
- With Shankhapushpi for memory enhancement
- With Vacha for cognitive support and speech disorders
- With Ashwagandha for anxiolytic synergy
- With Yashtimadhu for neuroprotection
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Other clinical studies and reviews9
- 2025. Clitoria ternatea: Perspectives on Its Application in Foods and Potential Health BenefitsPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 41225871 · doi:10.3390/plants14213322
- 2024. Topical antifungal keratitis therapeutic potential of Clitoria ternatea Linn. flower extract: phytochemical profiling, in silico modelling, and in vitro biological activity assessmentFrontiers in microbiology. PMID 38328419 · doi:10.3389/fmicb.2024.1343988
- 2023. Bio-enhanced fraction from Clitoria ternatea root extract ameliorates cognitive functions and in vivo hippocampal neuroplasticity in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rat modelAgeing research reviews. PMID 37343678 · doi:10.1016/j.arr.2023.101990
- 2023. A Systematic Review of Butterfly Pea Flower (Clitoria ternatea L.): Extraction and Application as a Food Freshness pH-Indicator for Polymer-Based Intelligent PackagingPolymers. PMID 37299340 · doi:10.3390/polym15112541
- 2021. Extraction methods of butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) flower and biological activities of its phytochemicalsJournal of food science and technology. PMID 33967304 · doi:10.1007/s13197-020-04745-3
- 2021. Anthocyanins From Clitoria ternatea Flower: Biosynthesis, Extraction, Stability, Antioxidant Activity, and ApplicationsFrontiers in plant science. PMID 34975979 · doi:10.3389/fpls.2021.792303
- 2019. Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea), a Cyclotide-Bearing Plant With Applications in Agriculture and MedicineFrontiers in plant science. PMID 31191573 · doi:10.3389/fpls.2019.00645
- 2008. The Ayurvedic medicine Clitoria ternatea--from traditional use to scientific assessmentJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 18926895 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2008.09.009
- 2003. Clitoria ternatea and the CNSPharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior. PMID 12895670 · doi:10.1016/s0091-3057(03)00130-8
Laboratory and animal studies3
- 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 StudiesLife (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 39598271 · doi:10.3390/life14111473
- 2024. Antidiabetic and hepatoprotection effect of butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea L.) through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, lower LDH, ACP, AST, and ALT on diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia ratHeliyon. PMID 38681657 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29812
- 2024. Neurohistopathological Alterations Induced by Clitoria Ternatea and Emblica Officinalis Extracts in Diabetic Male Wistar RatsCureus. PMID 39575021 · doi:10.7759/cureus.72079
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