Overview
Butterfly Pea is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for skin disorders. Aparajita (Clitoria ternatea), the Butterfly Pea, is a well-known climbing plant with distinctive blue or white flowers. The text describes both white-flowered (Shveta Aparajita) and blue-flowered varieties. The root is the most important medicinal part, known as a Medhya (brain tonic) herb. It is classified among the four Medhya Rasayanas by Acharya Charaka. The root powder is used to improve memory and intellect. It is also used for skin diseases, fevers, and as an antidote to various poisons. The seeds have purgative and anti-parasitic properties. The text notes that some scholars have confused this plant with Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), but they are different entities. Evolvulus alsinoides is also mentioned as 'Vishnukranta' by some authorities.
How Butterfly Pea Helps with Skin Disorders
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Butterfly Pea has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing skin disorders:
- Potency (Virya): Sheeta (cold)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
- Taste (Rasa): Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent), Katu (pungent)
- Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)
Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter (Tikta), Astringent (Kashaya), Pungent (Katu)
- Quality (Guna)
- Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha)
- Potency (Virya)
- Cold (Sheeta)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Key Constituents
- Kaempferol glycosides, Taraxerol, Aparajitin
- Also Known As
- English: Butterfly Pea, Winged-leaved Clitoria
Sanskrit: अपराजिता, विष्णुक्रान्ता, गिरिकर्णिका, शंखपुष्पी
Hindi: अपराजिता, कोयल, गोकर्णी
▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)
), gavedhuka- Coix lacryma-jobi –white punarnava)- Trianthema portulacastrum Linn, aindri (red punarnava)- Boerhavia diffusa Linn, Miers, asanaparni (aparajita)- Clitoria ternatea Linn decoction may be used in case of obstructed semen which is predominated by vata.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
After adopting the respective measures enjoined in respect of the several stages of poisoning, the patient should, in the interval of any two stages be made to drink in a cold state a gruel (Yavagu) prepared with the decoctions of Koshataki (Ghosha), Agnika (Ajamod), Patha, Surya-valli, Amrita, Abhaya, Sirisha, Kinihi, Selu, Giryahva, (white Aparajita), the two kinds of Rajani, the two kinds of Punarnavd, Sarivd, and Bala mixed with honey and clarified butter.
— Sushruta Samhita, Kalpa Sthana, Chapter 2: Sthavara-Visha-Vijnaniya
The Trikantaka, Kuni, Hasti-kaksha and the Aparajita are the four kinds of insects that belong to the Kanabha group and are extremely painful in their bites giving rise to swelling, aching in the limbs, heaviness of the body and a black aspect at the seat of the bite.
— Sushruta Samhita, Kalpa Sthana, Chapter 8: Kita-Kalpa
Koshatakayadi Yavagu After adopting the respective measures enjoined in respect of the several stages of poisoning, the patient should, in the interval of any two stages be made to drink in a cold state a gruel (Yavagu) prepared with the decoctions of Koshataki (Ghosha), Agnika (Ajamod), Patha, Surya-valli, Amrita, Abhaya, Sirisha, Kinihi, Selu, Giryahva, (white Aparajita), the two kinds of Rajani, the two kinds of Punarnavd, Sarivd, and Bala mixed with honey and clarified butter.
— Sushruta Samhita, Sthavara-Visha-Vijnaniya
The Kanabha Class of Insects The Trikantaka, Kuni, Hasti-kaksha and the Aparajita are the four kinds of insects that belong to the Kanabha group and are extremely painful in their bites giving rise to swelling, aching in the limbs, heaviness of the body and a black aspect at the seat of the bite.
— Sushruta Samhita, Kita-Kalpa
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Kalpa Sthana, Chapter 2: Sthavara-Visha-Vijnaniya; Kalpa Sthana, Chapter 8: Kita-Kalpa; Sthavara-Visha-Vijnaniya; Kita-Kalpa
Other Herbs for Skin Disorders
See all herbs for skin disorders on the Skin Disorders page.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.