# Gokarna

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

> Gokarna (Clitoria ternatea L. (same species as Aparajita; Gokarna is a regional Ayurvedic synonym)) is a plant drug, also called Aparajita and Girikarnika, from the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family. Not in WHO monographs; FDA-approved as food color additive (2021); recognized in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India under name Aparajita/Gokarna.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Clitoria ternatea L. (same species as Aparajita; Gokarna is a regional Ayurvedic synonym)
- **Family:** Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Not in WHO monographs; FDA-approved as food color additive (2021); recognized in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India under name Aparajita/Gokarna

## Names in the Indian languages

Every name form this project holds for this drug, with the script form first and the
transliteration after it. Sources per name are on the canonical page.

| Language | Names |
| --- | --- |
| Sanskrit | अपराजिता (aparājitā), गिरिकर्णिका (girikarṇikā) |
| Hindi | अपराजिता (aparājitā) |
| Tamil | கருவிளை, காக்கணம் |

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Gokarna |
| Latin/Botanical | *Clitoria ternatea L. (same species as [Aparajita](/herb/aparajita/); Gokarna is a regional Ayurvedic synonym)* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Ternatin [anthocyanins](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#anthocyanins) (delphinidin-based polyacylated anthocyanins)
- [Cyclotides](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#cyclotides) (macrocyclic [peptides](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#peptides) with disulfide bonds)
- [Taraxerol](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#taraxerol) and taraxerone
- [Kaempferol](/reference/kaempferol/), [quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/), [myricetin](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#myricetin) [glycosides](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#glycosides)
- Cliotide T1-T12 (cyclotides unique to this species)
- Stigmast-4-ene-3,6-dione

## How does it work?

- [Nootropic](/glossary/pharmacology/#nootropic) effect via enhancement of acetylcholine levels through acetylcholinesterase inhibition in hippocampus
- [Anxiolytic](/reference/anxiolytic/) mechanism through potentiation of GABAergic neurotransmission in limbic system
- [Antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) action via ternatin anthocyanin-mediated scavenging of ROS and upregulation of SOD, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase
- Wound healing through cyclotide-mediated [antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/) activity and collagen synthesis stimulation

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

*These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.*

- Brain tonic and intellect enhancer (Medhya): traditionally used as a brain tonic and intellect enhancer. Animal studies have reported improved memory retention and learning.
- Anxiolytic (Manasa-Dosha-hara): traditionally used as an anxiolytic. Pharmacological studies have reported benzodiazepine-like anxiolytic activity.
- Eye health ([Chakshushya](/herb/chakshushya/)): traditionally used for eye health. Research has reported antioxidant protection of ocular tissues.
- Complexion and skin health (Varnya): traditionally used for complexion and skin health. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity has been reported.

## What do recent studies show?

- Mukherjee PK, Kumar V, Kumar NS and others 2008. [The Ayurvedic medicine Clitoria ternatea--from traditional use to scientific assessment](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18926895/). *Journal of ethnopharmacology*. PMID [18926895](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18926895/) · [doi:10.1016/j.jep.2008.09.009](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2008.09.009)  
  Reviewed pharmacological and toxicological evaluations, summarising preclinical reports of nootropic, anxiolytic, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, and tranquilizing properties and a favorable safety profile.
- Jeyaraj EJ, Lim YY, Choo WS 2021. [Extraction methods of butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) flower and biological activities of its phytochemicals](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33967304/). *Journal of food science and technology*. PMID [33967304](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33967304/) · [doi:10.1007/s13197-020-04745-3](https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-020-04745-3)  
  Updated review covering botanical, phytochemical, and pharmacological profile including emerging applications in food science, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals alongside traditional medicinal uses.

*Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- Blue flower tea is widely consumed globally with no significant adverse effects at culinary doses; classified as safe food colorant
- Potential mild [diuretic](/reference/diuretic/) and blood platelet aggregation inhibition effects; caution with anticoagulant medications; limited clinical trial data for therapeutic doses

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (seed/root powder), Kashayam (decoction), Swarasa (fresh juice), Tablet, Capsule, Lepa (external paste)

**Standard Dosage:** 3-6g powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction twice daily; 10-20ml fresh juice; 500mg extract capsule twice daily

**Optimal Timing:** Morning doses for nootropic/cognitive effects; root decoction before meals; flower tea can be consumed throughout the day

**Storage:** Dried flowers and powder: airtight, light-resistant, nitrogen-flushed containers below 25 deg C at pH <5 (acidified matrix). Light and alkaline pH rapidly degrade anthocyanins. Root powder: standard conditions, airtight below 25 deg C.

**Marker Compounds:** Ternatin A1/A2/B1/B2 (polyacylated anthocyanins), Kaempferol glycosides, [Quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/) glycosides, Taraxerol, Clitorin, Cyclotides (CT1, CT2), [Aparajitin](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#aparajitin) (root)

### Synergistic Combinations

- With Shankhapushpi for nootropic and cognitive enhancement synergy
- With [Brahmi](/herb/brahmi/) for memory and learning support
- With [Ashwagandha](/herb/ashwagandha/) for [adaptogenic](/reference/adaptogenic/)-nootropic combination
- With [Jyotishmati](/herb/jyotishmati/) (Celastrus) for enhanced cognitive effects
- With [Yashtimadhu](/herb/yashtimadhu/) for [neuroprotective](/reference/neuroprotective/) combination

## Reference lists that include it

[Family: Fabaceae](https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/reference/fabaceae/)

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

## 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.