Butterfly Blue Pea Flower

According to India’s traditional Ayurvedic medicine, Blue Pea Flower has been in use for centuries as an antidepressant, anticonvulsant, sedative and memory enhancer. It is deeply rich in antioxidants, which helps your body fight back against the damage caused by free radicals, like inflammation and signs of aging in the skin. It’s rich in anthocyanin, a type of antioxidant also found in blueberries and red wine that is well known for fighting inflammation and boosting heart health. It is a refreshing spa beverage and a perfect natural indulgence after a massage or facial. I find that it is useful for managing my asthma and after more research found that Butterfly Pea acts as an expectorant and has been shown to reduce the irritation of respiratory organs, useful in treating colds, coughs and even asthma.

The petals of the Blue Pea Flower, (Latin: Clitoria ternatea) have been used since time immemorial to add color to celebratory drinks in various locales around the world. For instance, in Thailand, the country where we’ve sourced this luxury grade dried Blue Pea Flower, the Thai people have had a love affair with a syrupy beverage known as nam dok anchan. This fabulous beverage made with dried flowers, lime juice and sugar is as delicious as it is easy to prepare.

Here’s how you make it. You’ll need: 12 dried flowers, Lime juice, Sugar. Start by soaking the flowers in 1 cup of freshly boiled water per serving. Let them steep for 15 minutes, then strain. Notice the deep blue hue of the water. Next, add a few drops of lime juice and sugar for sweetness and watch your glass turn purple. Pour over ice, serve with a slice of lime and get ready to say “mmm”.

If you don’t have the time to make your own nam dok anchan, these petals make a fabulous ingredient to your own special beverages to add some flair. I enjoy Butterfly Blue Pea Flower tisane simply as it is, infused in boiling water.  Beauty in simplicity.

Butterfly Blue Pea flower brews to a beautiful blue color- add a little lemon and watch it change to purple!