What is Butterfly Pea Flower Tea? (Flavor, Benefits, Side Effects)

You know the benefits of ginger, licorice root, and other herbal teas, but not everyone can explain the butterfly pea flower tea benefits.

This tea is more famous for its unique color after brewing.While the blue color is beautiful, the tea also offers various benefits.

Interested in brewing butterfly pea flower? Learn about its benefits, side effects, and the best brewing tips first.

What is butterfly pea flower tea?

Butterfly pea flower tea comes from Asian blue pea flower, also known as the pigeonwings (Clitoria ternatea). The flower is famous in various Asian countries, such as Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, China, and India.

People use it for cooking ingredients, natural food coloring, traditional medicines, and herbal drinks.

The blue pea flower can change the color of the water after brewing. Depending on the water pH, it can turn bluish to bright blue.

Adding other ingredients such as lemongrass, lemon juice, and spices can turn the color to pink and even purple. People drink this tea cold or hot, especially after a meal.

The Ayurvedic medicine tradition regards the flower as a tranquilizing, sedative, stress-reducing, and memory-enhancing herb. You can find this tea at high-end hotels and spas in Vietnam or Thailand.

Health benefits of butterfly pea flower tea

The butterfly pea flower benefits are still unclear, but the Asian medical traditions regard this flower as a stress-reliever.

Watching the water changes color to blue, purple, or pinkish is visually relaxing. The tea’s sedative quality relaxes your muscles, perfect to drink before bed.

Butterfly flower tea may also reduce light internal inflammation. It is a great post-meal drink, especially after consuming high-fat or spicy foods.

You can also enjoy it to boost the immune system, especially during a stressful or busy time.

The benefits of butterfly pea tea for weight loss are still unclear. However, it may help to reduce the need of stress-eating, due to its relaxing effect.

It can also help to alleviate the effects of free radicals and to detox the body. These functions are important in a healthy weight-loss journey.