Why Blue Butterfly Pea Flower Is Good for Your Health?

I first came across butterfly pea flower tea during a cruise stop in the Caribbean. It was a quick inland detour to Nevis Island, where I visited the lush Nevis Botanical Gardens. A staff member handed me a cool, vibrant blue punch and mentioned it was made from butterfly pea flowers. I remember sitting near a pergola covered in blooming vines, sipping this exotic drink as puffy clouds floated overhead. It was like drinking the sky.

I didn’t know it then, but this vivid herbal tea—known scientifically as Clitoria ternatea—would become a staple in my routine. Years later, I saw it again on TikTok, transforming from deep blue to purple when lemon was added. Its beauty, wellness benefits, and versatility had gone viral.

Now known as blue butterfly tea, it’s popping up in mocktails, smoothies, skincare, baking, and even cocktails at trendy bars like Dry Point Distillery in Las Cruces, where mixologists blend it into gin concoctions with lime juice and soda—yielding a vibrant blue-violet hue that changes with the pH.

But it’s more than trendy—it’s traditional, healing, and full of science-backed benefits.

Origins, Cultural Significance & Botanical Identity

Belonging to the Fabaceae (bean family), Clitoria ternatea is a tropical climbing vine with vibrant indigo-blue petals. It thrives in the heat and sun of Southeast Asia—particularly in Thailand, India, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

In Ayurvedic medicine, it’s used as a Medhya herb to support memory, learning, and brain health. Traditionally, it’s also brewed into herbal tisanes or used to dye blue rice during rituals. Its other names include Asian pigeonwings and blue tea flower.

Symbolically, it represents transformation, beauty, vitality, and renewal. A perfect metaphor, considering how it visibly transforms color when lemon is added.

A related species, Clitoria mariana, is native to New Mexico and dry rocky woods in the U.S., sometimes blooming as a wildflower in USDA zones 5–8.

What is Butterfly Pea Flower Tea?

What makes this tea magical? Its anthocyanins—plant-based antioxidants—are sensitive to pH. In a neutral state, it brews deep blue, but when you add lemon juice or any acid, it shifts to purple or pink.

The flavor is earthy, mellow, and a bit woody, similar to green tea but caffeine-free. It comes in various forms: dried whole flowers, powder, tea bags, and even liquid concentrates.

Nutritional Profile & Active Compounds

Butterfly pea tea is more than pretty—it’s nutritionally potent:

• Ternatins (a type of anthocyanin) – Provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
• Kaempferol – Known for anti-cancer properties, including slowing the growth of cancer cells.
• Delphinidin-3,5-glucoside – Supports immune function and vascular health.
• p-Coumaric acid – Reduces oxidative stress and may help lower inflammation.
• Flavonoids & Adaptogens – Support skin, immune, heart health, and help regulate stress.

It’s caffeine-free, sugar-free, and contains no carbs or fat.

Health Benefits of Butterfly Pea Flower Tea

1. Antioxidant Powerhouse

Neutralizes free radicals, reducing cell damage and supporting longevity.

2. Skin & Hair Health

Improves collagen production, skin hydration, and may reduce signs of aging like wrinkles and redness.
Used in cosmetic serums, shampoos, mists, and masks.
Some test-tube studies suggest butterfly pea flower extract may stimulate hair growth, similar to minoxidil.

3. Brain Function & Mental Clarity

Supports memory, learning, and focus—long used in Ayurveda as a nootropic.

4. Eye Health & Vision Support

Butterfly pea flower may also help support eye health. Rich in anthocyanins, it has been traditionally used to relieve tired eyes, blurred vision, and even symptoms of glaucoma. Antioxidants in the tea may protect retinal cells from damage due to oxidative stress, which plays a role in age-related vision decline.

5. Stress Relief & Mood Enhancement

Its adaptogenic properties help with anxiety, relaxation, and brain fog.
Anecdotally, its color-changing visuals can boost mood and creativity.

6. Respiratory, Digestive & Immune Support

Traditionally used for colds, coughs, indigestion, nausea, and bloating.
Its diuretic effect supports water balance and reduces inflammation.

7. Blood Sugar Control & Weight Management

Animal and small human studies (like one involving 15 men) suggest it may improve insulin sensitivity, reduce fat accumulation, and help control blood sugar levels.

8. Healthy Beverage Replacement

A natural substitute for sugary drinks, energy drinks, or caloric juices—tasty, light, and habit-forming in the best way.

ALSO READ: Cheese and Cholesterol: What You Really Need to Know

The Magic of Color-Changing Tea

Add a splash of lemon juice, and watch the tea shift from deep blue to vivid purple. This effect is due to the anthocyanins reacting to changes in pH levels.

Perfect for:

• Instagram reels
• Wellness influencers
• Science experiments
• Themed parties

Creative Ways to Use Butterfly Pea Flower

• Hot Tea: Steep 1 tsp in 240 mL hot water for 5–10 mins.
• Cold Brew: Soak 1 tsp in water for 4–6 hours.
• Mocktails: Add mint, citrus, and sparkling water.
• Cocktails: Great in purple mojitos, Mariposa gin drinks.
• Smoothies: Blend steeped tea with fruit or greens.
• Cooking & Baking: Add to cupcakes, pancakes, blue rice.
• DIY Beauty: Mix into rosewater, witch hazel, or serums for a hydrating skin mist.

Perfect Brew: Blue Pineapple Iced Tea

Inspired by Art of Tea, this tea is perfect for summer:

1. Steep 1 sachet in 3 cups hot water for 4 mins.
2. Squeeze the sachet to extract the full color.
3. Add 5 cups room-temp water, then chill.
4. Stir in pineapple juice, lemon slices, and fruit.

💡 Avoid cold steeping initially. Use glassware to showcase the color.

Fun, Social & Creative Uses

This tea isn’t just a beverage—it’s an experience.

• Spa days
• Bridal showers
• Beach parties
• DIY tea bars with lemon, syrups, herbs
• Great for content creators and food stylists

Pre-Made Products & Blends

Try these reputable brands:

• Art of Tea (Blue Pineapple)
• Bluechai
• Anima Mundi
• DAVIDsTEA
• Blissfully Blue (Tease)

Available in: tea bags, loose leaf, powders, extracts.

Used in tea, mocktails, skincare, baking, cocktails, and more.

Grow Your Own Butterfly Pea

• Buy seeds online from trusted seed companies.
• Perennial in USDA Zones 9–11, but grows annually in colder areas.
• Heat-loving, drought-tolerant, thrives in full sun.
• Great for trellises or indoor pots.
• Flowers can be used as natural dyes, in soaps, or for bath bombs.

Safety, Dosage & Side Effects

• Generally safe when consumed in moderation.
• Rare effects: nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea.
• Not advised for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals.
• Consult your doctor if you have autoimmune conditions or take medications like blood pressure meds.

Dosage tip: Use 1 tsp (≈4 grams) per cup.

Where to Buy & How to Store

Look for organic, non-GMO, and FDA-recognized brands on:

• Amazon
• Etsy
• Art of Tea
• Wellness stores

Store in a dry, airtight container away from light and heat.

How Does It Compare to Other Herbal Teas?

Tea	Flavor	Benefits	Special Feature
Chamomile	Floral	Calming, sleep aid	Classic sedative
Lavender	Aromatic	Stress relief	Strong floral scent
Hibiscus	Tart	Vitamin C, heart health	Vibrant red color
Matcha	Grassy	Antioxidant, energy boost	Contains caffeine
Rose	Light floral	Mood uplifting, skin-friendly	Elegant aroma
Butterfly Pea	Earthy	Antioxidant, mental clarity, beauty	Color-changing, pH-sensitive

FAQs

Final Thoughts: A Ritual of Color and Calm

Butterfly pea flower tea has become more than just a drink for me—it’s a ritual. A natural mood-lifter, a creative wellness tool, and a surprisingly science-backed remedy all in one cup. It invites you to pause, play, and reconnect with the color, health, and vitality of nature.