What Is Butterfly Pea Powder and How Do I Use It?
Butterfly pea powder is a natural purple and blue pigment used in drink and food production. The powder itself is made of dried Butterfly Pea flowers, scientifically known as Clitoria ternatea and commonly known as Asian pigeonwings, blue pea, bluebellvine, cordofan pea and Darwin pea.
In Southeast Asia people use these flowers to make tea also known as blue matcha. Fresh blue flowers are gently collected, their impurities are removed, and then they’re sun-dried and crushed into powder. Blue butterfly pea powder does not contain calories, and its dark blue color comes from naturally present anthocyanins, which not only produce a beautiful pigment but also act as antioxidants. In Thailand, they make a blue drink commonly known as dok anchan – a wonderful brain boosting herb native to tropical equatorial Asia.
What Is Butterfly Pea Powder?
Butterfly pea powder is made from the butterfly pea plant, a beautiful flowering vine native to Thailand, Burma and other parts of Southeast Asia. It's bright indigo flowers have been used for centuries to dye foods various shades of blue. For example, the flowers provide the bright blue rice in pulut tai tai, a sweet rice dessert created by Chinese migrants that's popular in Malaysia.
In the US, you're most likely to find butterfly pea powder used to color various specialty drinks; it's particularly become popular among cocktail creators because it changes colors when added to drinks with different pH levels, meaning it can go from deep blue to a pastel pink with the right combination of ingredients. A number of food bloggers have also figured out how to use butterfly pea powder to make color changing lemonades and slushies.
But Is It Good For You?
As U.S. News points out, butterfly pea powder has been subject to a lot of claims about its supposed health benefits, such as the idea that it can help with stress relief, depression, skin health or even diabetes. However, there's no real scientific evidence to back up those claims.
Butterfly pea powder does contain anthocyanins, antioxidants which have been linked to things like improved cardiovascular health and lower risk of cancer. Still, you'd have to ingest quite a lot of powder to see any real benefit. So if you're looking for anthocyanins, you're probably better off filling your plate with other purple and blue foods, like eggplant, red cabbage, cherries, blueberries and blackberries.
8 Different Ways to Use Butterfly Pea Flower Powder For Healthy Living
1. Make Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
One of the easiest and most popular ways to use butterfly pea flower powder is to make tea. Butterfly pea flower is caffeine-free and has a gorgeous blue color that can be transformed into a rich purple hue with the addition of lemon juice, which changes the pH of the tea. To make butterfly pea flower tea, simply add a teaspoon of the powder to a 8oz-10oz cup of hot water and let it steep for a few minutes. You can add honey or other natural sweeteners to taste. We suggest using organic raw agave as its delicate taste won’t overpower the subtle taste of butterfly pea flower tea.
2. Add it as a Superfood Wellness Powder in Smoothies, Juices, and Yogurt
Butterfly pea flower powder is an excellent addition to smoothies, juices, and yogurt bowls. It adds a pop of color and is rich in antioxidants, which can help ease inflammation and promote overall wellness. Its natural nootropic compounds are also proven to help you increase mental focus and enhance memory. To incorporate butterfly pea flower powder into your wellness routine, simply add a teaspoon to your favorite smoothie or yogurt bowl.
3. Make a Blue Matcha Latte
Butterfly pea flower powder can be combined with any milk of your choice to create a unique, visually stunning, and caffeine free Blue Matcha Latte. Simply mix a teaspoon of butterfly pea flower powder with 1 ounce of warm water and add it to 1 cup of your milk of choice. Sweeten to taste and enjoy a delicious and colorful latte. Click here to learn how to make a perfect Blue Matcha Latte.
4. Create Blue Cocktails or Mocktails
Butterfly pea flower powder is a fun and unique ingredient to use in cocktails or mocktails. Its bright blue color can be used to create a variety of blue drinks, such as a Blue Margarita or a Blue Gin and Tonic. To use butterfly pea flower powder in a cocktail, simply add a pinch of the powder to your drink ingredients and watch as the color changes before your eyes.
5. Use it as a Natural Food Coloring in Baking
Butterfly pea flower powder is a natural food coloring that can be used in baking to add a pop of blue color to your recipes. It's a great alternative to artificial food coloring, which can contain harmful chemicals. You can use butterfly pea flower powder to color frosting, dough, or other baked goods. If you are looking for a delicious and healthy dessert, try our Blue Dream Chia Pudding Recipe!
6. Use in Your Hot Bath
Butterfly pea flower powder has been used for centuries in traditional Ayurveda medicine to treat various ailments. One of the ways it's used is by adding it to a hot bath. Butterfly pea flower powder helps relax the body and soothe sore muscles. Additionally, warm water opens the pores allowing all the butterfly pea flower beneficial nutrients to be absorbed through the skin. Simply add 1-2 tablespoons of butterfly pea flower powder to your bathwater and soak for 20-30 minutes.
7. Use it in Skincare Masks
Butterfly pea flower powder is also a popular ingredient in skincare masks. The antioxidants and flavonoids in the powder help improve skin health and reduce inflammation. To make a simple skincare mask, mix a teaspoon of butterfly pea flower powder with a tablespoon of honey and apply it to your face and neck. Rinse it off after 15 minutes.
8. Use as a Natural Dye
Butterfly pea flower powder can be used as a natural dye for fabrics. Its vibrant blue color can be used to dye cotton, silk, or other fabrics, creating beautiful shades of blue. To use butterfly pea flower powder as a natural dye, mix it with water and boil it on the stove. Once the dye has cooled, soak the fabric in it for a few hours, or until you achieve the desired color.
Blue Butterfly Pea Flower Powder Health Benefits
Blue Butterfly Pea Flower Powder is linked with a range of health benefits, including stress relief. Packed with antioxidants, flavonoids, and peptides, it improves eyesight, and nourishes hair and skin. Moreover, it is caffeine-free and loaded with vitamin A, C, and E. Consume butterfly pea powder in moderation for up to 1 tablespoon daily, as it may help fight fatigue and boost the immune system.
1. Supports Skin and Hair Health
It’s packed with antioxidants that may lend support to maintaining skin and hair health. Ternatins and their fellow antioxidants may offer other benefits8.
2. Antioxidant Effects
Antioxidants fight free radicals. So, these can protect your skin and hair from damage. By using butterfly pea flower products in skincare or haircare, you may be able to reap the benefits of its antioxidants9,10,11.
3. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Inflamed skin and hair can lead to acne and hair loss12. The plant’s compounds could calm inflammation. That may result in healthier skin and hair2,4.
4. May Promote Weight Loss
Butterfly pea flowers may help with weight loss. It may promote weight loss by blocking the synthesis of fat cells and slowing the formation of new ones13,14,15,16.
5. Digestive Support
Drinking butterfly pea flower tea may aid digestion. That could help you make the most of food nutrients and calories. This might aid in weight control1.
6. Potential Appetite Suppressant Effects
Reports are suggesting that its extract might curb your appetite. Less appetite means fewer calories, thus culminating in weight loss. More research is needed to corroborate these benefits15,16.
7. Stabilises Blood Sugar Levels
The butterfly pea flower might help to keep blood sugar levels steady. Studies have shown that drinks with their extract lead to lower blood sugar and insulin levels. Plus, the plant’s antioxidants may guard against cell havoc related to diabetes17. More studies are required on this.
8. Improves Cognitive Function
Early studies hint that butterfly pea flowers might boost cognitive health. Its antioxidants might guard against mental decay with age. There may be gains in memory, focus, and learning. More studies are needed to determine how butterfly pea flower impacts cognitive health1.
9. Reduces Anxiety and Stress
Its herbal tea is popular for its calming nature. There isn’t much research on this yet. If you’re dealing with anxiety and want to incorporate this herbal tea, it is better to consult your doctor first, they will assess your situation and its severity and advise accordingly1.
10. Boosts Immunity
Its antioxidant content may help support the immune system too. They may protect your body from nasty free radicals. So, it is proposed to strengthen your immune response and boost overall health1.
Conclusion
The butterfly pea flower is a plant from Southeast Asia. It offers a bounty of potential health benefits. Its antioxidants may serve your skin and hair, aid weight loss, and balance blood sugar. You can use it in teas, as a colouring in cooking, and even in dyes.
Always consult your healthcare provider before incorporating butterfly pea flowers into your diet or skincare regimen. Do this especially if you have allergies, take medications, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
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References
National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Butterfly Pea ( Clitoria ternatea ), a Cyclotide-Bearing Plant With Applications in Agriculture and Medicine [Internet]. [cited 2024 Jan 25]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6546959
PubMed. Protective Role of Ternatin Anthocyanins and Quercetin Glycosides from Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea Leguminosae) Blue Flower Petals against Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-Induced Inflammation in Macrophage Cells [Internet]. [cited 2024 Jan 25]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26120869
PubMed. Ternatin and improved synthetic variants kill cancer cells by targeting the elongation factor-1A ternary complex [Internet]. [cited 2024 Jan 25]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26651998
National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Inhibitory effect of Clitoria ternatea flower petal extract on fructose-induced protein glycation and oxidation-dependent damages to albumin in vitro [Internet]. [cited 2024 Jan 25]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4337202
PubMed. Kaempferol: A Key Emphasis to Its Anticancer Potential [Internet]. [cited 2024 Jan 25]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31248102
PubMed. p-Coumaric acid and its conjugates: dietary sources, pharmacokinetic properties and biological activities [Internet]. [cited 2024 Jan 25]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26692250
PubMed. Anthocyanins, delphinidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, inhibit immune checkpoints in human colorectal cancer cells in vitro and in silico [Internet]. [cited 2024 Jan 25]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31399602
National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Cosmetic and Dermatological Properties of Selected Ayurvedic Plant Extracts [Internet]. [cited 2024 Jan 25]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7866120
PubMed. 5α-reductase inhibition and hair growth promotion of some Thai plants traditionally used for hair treatment [Internet]. [cited 2024 Jan 25]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22178180
National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Antioxidants in dermatology * [Internet]. [cited 2024 Jan 25]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5514576
