In the lush, tropical equatorial regions of Southeast Asia, the Butterfly Pea plant—a flowering vine known for its vibrant blooms—has long been cultivated and revered. The flowers have a striking sapphire color, and the petals are flecked with streaks of yellow and white.
Origins of Butterfly Pea Flowers
In nations like Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia, Butterfly Pea Flowers are used primarily as a form of natural food coloring. When steeped or cooked in hot water, the flowers will turn the liquid a striking shade of violet or blue.
Depending on the other ingredients that are mixed in-—such as a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice—Butterfly Pea Flowers can also yield a gorgeous pink or purple liquid.
This liquid can then be used to add color to rice, known as nasi kerabu in Malaysia, or to create beautiful jewel-toned beverages. One such drink is nam dok anchan, a refreshing tea that’s popular in Thailand and Vietnam.
This soothing tea is often sipped after dinner or before bedtime, much like chamomile tea in other regions of the world.
Of course, Butterfly Pea Flowers aren’t just known for their mesmerizing colors; they’re also highly regarded around the globe for their beautifying properties and wellness benefits*.
Health Benefits of Butterfly Pea Flowers
The use of Butterfly Pea for its healing benefits dates back hundreds of years with origins in Ayurvedic medicine. Throughout history, traditional healers in Southeast Asia and China would use the plant to help with occasional stress and insomnia*.
Butterfly Pea Flowers contain potent antioxidants, which are known to protect against the damaging effects of free radicals.* Antioxidants also help to slow down the aging process and protect against premature aging.* They can boost the appearance and health of your skin, hair, and nails.*
Butterfly Pea Flowers are also rich in anthocyanins, which further help to build and restore the skin’s collagen.* Anthocyanins are water-soluble compounds that occur naturally in certain pigmented blue, red, purple, and black foods and flowers.
Finally, Butterfly Pea Flowers may possess significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties*.
Reap the Benefits of Butterfly Pea Flowers
The Republic of Tea has just released two new herbal tea blends featuring Butterfly Pea Flowers, in our Beautifying Botanicals line.
These teas are naturally caffeine-free, and combine Butterfly Pea Flowers with an infusion of fragrant herbs and other flowers, including rosehip, hibiscus, and bamboo. Add a squeeze of lemon to give our teas a beautiful pink hue.
Daily Beauty Herbal Tea and Beauty Sleep Herbal Tea offer a soothing and pampering sipping experience, while encouraging collagen production, skin hydration, relaxation, and overall wellbeing. Make Butterfly Pea Flowers a part of your daily beauty and wellness ritual!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
