Nootropic profile
Clitoria Ternatea (Butterfly Pea)
Clitoria ternatea, commonly known as butterfly pea flower, is a traditional Ayurvedic herb used as a brain tonic for centuries in Southeast Asia. Animal research suggests it may enhance memory and learning through acetylcholinesterase inhibition and antioxidant neuroprotection, though human clinical data remains limited.
Educational only: this is not medical advice. Always check with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement.
What is Clitoria Ternatea (Butterfly Pea)?
Clitoria ternatea is a flowering plant in the Fabaceae (legume) family, native to tropical Asia and widely cultivated throughout Southeast Asia, India, and parts of Africa and South America.
What it does for you
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How to take it
- Blue flower tea: 1-2 teaspoons of dried flowers steeped in hot water for 5-10 minutes, 1-3 cups per day
- Root extract (traditional): 100-500 mg per day of standardised root extract
- Flower extract: 250-500 mg per day of standardised extract
- Powder: 1-3 g of dried flower or root powder per day, mixed into water or food
- Timing: Can be consumed any time of day. Traditionally taken in the morning for cognitive enhancement.
Watch out for
- Side effects: Generally considered safe with a long history of culinary and medicinal use. Occasional reports of mild nausea or stomach upset.
- Pregnancy: Traditionally avoided during pregnancy due to potential uterotonic effects. Insufficient modern safety data - consult a healthcare provider.
- Antiplatelet effects: Some research suggests Clitoria ternatea may inhibit platelet aggregation. Those on blood thinners should exercise caution.
- Limited human research: Most evidence comes from animal studies. Human clinical trials are scarce, so optimal dosing and long-term safety are not well...
- Drug interactions: Potential interactions with anticholinergic drugs, blood thinners, and sedative medications.
The science, if you're curious.
- Animal studies show Clitoria ternatea extracts inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE), increasing acetylcholine availability in the brain and supporting memory...
- The high anthocyanin content provides potent antioxidant activity, scavenging free radicals and protecting neurons from oxidative damage. Delphinidins can...
- Some animal research suggests Clitoria ternatea may increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and promote hippocampal neurogenesis, supporting the...
- Rodent studies show dose-dependent anxiolytic activity comparable to diazepam, possibly through GABAergic modulation.
Where to find it
- Dried butterfly pea flowers: Widely available online and in Asian grocery stores for tea preparation
- Butterfly pea flower tea: Pre-packaged tea bags available from various brands
- Root extract: Available from Ayurvedic and herbal supplement suppliers, though less common than flower products
- Powder: Dried flower powder used as a natural food colouring and supplement
- Traditional preparations: Used in Ayurvedic formulations including Medhya Rasayana blends
Frequently asked
Clitoria ternatea, commonly known as butterfly pea flower, is a traditional Ayurvedic herb used as a brain tonic for centuries in Southeast Asia. Animal research suggests it may enhance memory and learning through acetylcholinesterase inhibition and antioxidant neuroprotection, though human clinical data remains limited.
The main benefits people report from Clitoria Ternatea (Butterfly Pea) are: Anxiety & Calm, Cognitive Enhancement, Longevity, Memory, Mood, Stress Relief.
Blue flower tea: 1-2 teaspoons of dried flowers steeped in hot water for 5-10 minutes, 1-3 cups per dayRoot extract (traditional): 100-500 mg per day of standardised root extractFlower extract: 250-500 mg per day of standardised extractPowder: 1-3 g of dried flower or root powder per day, mixed into...
Side effects: Generally considered safe with a long history of culinary and medicinal use. Occasional reports of mild nausea or stomach upset.Pregnancy: Traditionally avoided during pregnancy due to potential uterotonic effects. Insufficient modern safety data - consult a healthcare provider.Antipla...
Animal studies show Clitoria ternatea extracts inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE), increasing acetylcholine availability in the brain and supporting memory...The high anthocyanin content provides potent antioxidant activity, scavenging free radicals and protecting neurons from oxidative damage. Del...
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