Blue Butterfly Pea Flower
Clitoria ternatea
We have this beautiful herb in stock at The Divine Key!
The Blue Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea) is also known as Asian Pigeon Wings, Blue Bell Vine, Blue Pea, Cordofan Pea, Darwin pea and Aparajita. It is a native to Asia but is well established in Australia after being used here as a regenerative crop for land damaged by mining and grazing. While there is also a white variety of this, which has the same medicinal and spiritual qualities it is the blue variety that is more sought after for its brilliant colour as a tisane.
Traditional correspondences would have this plant ruled by the planet Venus and connected to the element of water. This brings it the attributes of love, emotions, serenity and protection. In India they are known as Aparajita flowers, named after the Hindu Goddess. Her name means one who cannot be conquered or defeated, giving them a spiritual element of inner strength, perseverance and winning. It is said that Shiva and Vishnu are also particularly fond of these flowers and they are an appropriate offering for daily puja. Transformation is also an energetic quality of this flower, being named a butterfly pea and a butterfly attractant, it is linked with the butterfly which has long been a symbol of the inner soul and deep transformation from within. The transformative aspect also comes from the amazing colour. When used in a tisane it is a bright, rich blue, yet the colour of the liquid will be different depending on the ph of the water. When lemon or lime is added, it transforms from blue to purple. In Thailand this drink is called Anchan tea. The local folk-tale tells us of a woman called Isra who was taken on an adventure one night by a Kinnari, a half woman and half bird mythological creature. The kinnari showed her these flowers and instructed Isra to take them and grow them in her garden. When they flowered she made a tea from them and added a squeeze of lime changing the colour of the tea.
All parts of the plant can be used and there are many suggested medicinal uses such as anti-inflammatory, asthma, seizures, HIV, anti-cancer, healthy sperm production, reducing cholesterol, cardiovascular health, promoting hair growth, skin elasticity,a local anesthetic for reducing pain and swelling and for healing the eyes. However, it is best known in the Ayurvedic medicinal system of India as a brain herb which is often used in combination with Brahmi as a memory enhancer, to treat anxiety and depression, as a brain booster, anti-stress, calmative agent, alzheimers, ADHD and a general all rounder for boosting brain function.
Hippocrates’ doctrine of signatures tells us that by studying a plant's attributes we can effectively read what medicine it contains. To apply it to the Blue Butterfly Pea Flower it is easy to see from its shape as that of the clitorus, hence the botanical name of Clitoria ternatea, that suggests its compatibility with women's health. The Blue Butterfly Pea can be used to treat menstrual problems, leucorrhoea and acts as a potent aphrodisiac acting more potently on women than men and may even help with conception.
To extend the physical properties of this plant into a metaphysical, spiritual and magickal context for use, we need only look at it to know that wherever a femine aspect or energy is required it would be particualrly useful. Given its connection to Venus and Love, all spellcraft for love, sexuality and fertility would benefit from the addition of these flowers. Adding the transformational aspect, it would be useful for releasing any blockages in personal energy of a sexual nature and also add power to anything you wish to change in your life. The deep rich colour is also a potent colour of spiritual matters and is sure to promote growth in this area.
Clitoria ternatea
We have this beautiful herb in stock at The Divine Key!
The Blue Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea) is also known as Asian Pigeon Wings, Blue Bell Vine, Blue Pea, Cordofan Pea, Darwin pea and Aparajita. It is a native to Asia but is well established in Australia after being used here as a regenerative crop for land damaged by mining and grazing. While there is also a white variety of this, which has the same medicinal and spiritual qualities it is the blue variety that is more sought after for its brilliant colour as a tisane.
Traditional correspondences would have this plant ruled by the planet Venus and connected to the element of water. This brings it the attributes of love, emotions, serenity and protection. In India they are known as Aparajita flowers, named after the Hindu Goddess. Her name means one who cannot be conquered or defeated, giving them a spiritual element of inner strength, perseverance and winning. It is said that Shiva and Vishnu are also particularly fond of these flowers and they are an appropriate offering for daily puja. Transformation is also an energetic quality of this flower, being named a butterfly pea and a butterfly attractant, it is linked with the butterfly which has long been a symbol of the inner soul and deep transformation from within. The transformative aspect also comes from the amazing colour. When used in a tisane it is a bright, rich blue, yet the colour of the liquid will be different depending on the ph of the water. When lemon or lime is added, it transforms from blue to purple. In Thailand this drink is called Anchan tea. The local folk-tale tells us of a woman called Isra who was taken on an adventure one night by a Kinnari, a half woman and half bird mythological creature. The kinnari showed her these flowers and instructed Isra to take them and grow them in her garden. When they flowered she made a tea from them and added a squeeze of lime changing the colour of the tea.
All parts of the plant can be used and there are many suggested medicinal uses such as anti-inflammatory, asthma, seizures, HIV, anti-cancer, healthy sperm production, reducing cholesterol, cardiovascular health, promoting hair growth, skin elasticity,a local anesthetic for reducing pain and swelling and for healing the eyes. However, it is best known in the Ayurvedic medicinal system of India as a brain herb which is often used in combination with Brahmi as a memory enhancer, to treat anxiety and depression, as a brain booster, anti-stress, calmative agent, alzheimers, ADHD and a general all rounder for boosting brain function.
Hippocrates’ doctrine of signatures tells us that by studying a plant's attributes we can effectively read what medicine it contains. To apply it to the Blue Butterfly Pea Flower it is easy to see from its shape as that of the clitorus, hence the botanical name of Clitoria ternatea, that suggests its compatibility with women's health. The Blue Butterfly Pea can be used to treat menstrual problems, leucorrhoea and acts as a potent aphrodisiac acting more potently on women than men and may even help with conception.
To extend the physical properties of this plant into a metaphysical, spiritual and magickal context for use, we need only look at it to know that wherever a femine aspect or energy is required it would be particualrly useful. Given its connection to Venus and Love, all spellcraft for love, sexuality and fertility would benefit from the addition of these flowers. Adding the transformational aspect, it would be useful for releasing any blockages in personal energy of a sexual nature and also add power to anything you wish to change in your life. The deep rich colour is also a potent colour of spiritual matters and is sure to promote growth in this area.