Aparajita – Clitoria ternatea Uses, Dose, Remedies, Side Effects

Aparajita is an ancient Indian medicinal herb. Its botanical name is Clitoria ternatea. It is mainly used as a brain tonic. It belongs to Fabaceae family.

Vernacular names, Sanskrit Synonyms

Names in different languages –
English name – Butterfly Pea
Hindi – Koyala
Kannada name – Shankhapushpi
Telugu – Dintena

Sanskrit synonyms –
Asphota – It has dehiscent fruit
Vishnukranta – Considered as sacred plant
Shankhapushpi, Shveta, Mahashveta,
Girikarni – Leaves resembles Ear of rat

Classical categorization

Charaka Samhita – Shiro virechanopaga – Group of herbs that are used in Nasya panchakarma treatment.
Bh. Pr. Ni – Guduchyadi varga

Medicinal qualities

Rasa – Katu (pungent), Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (astringent)
Guna (qualities) – Laghu (lightness), Rooksha (dry)
Vipaka – Katu (undergoes pungent taste conversion after digestion)
Veerya – Sheeta – cold potency
Effect on Tridosha – Tridoshahara – It balances all the three Doshas.
Special effect – Medhya – improves intelligence
Pharmacological Action – Intellect promoter, Laxative, Diuretic, Anthelmintic, Aphrodisiac

Therapeutic benefits

Medhya -Improves intelligence
Kanthya – Improves voice, good for throat
Sudrushtida – Improves vision, good for eyes
Kushta – Useful in skin diseases
Mutra- Cleanses bladder
Tridosha – Balances Tridosha
Ama – relieves indigestion, malabsorption
Shothavrana – Acts as natural anti inflammatory herb
Vishaapaha -Detoxifying, effective in cases of poisoning.
Smruti-buddhida -Improves memory and concentration.

It is also used in
Rakta atisara – diarrhoea with bleeding
Daha – burning sensation
Jvara – natural antipyretic
Chardihara – anti-emetic
Unmada, madabhrama hara – useful in psychiatric conditions like mania and schizophrenia
Shwasakasahara – useful in cough, asthma and related respiratory conditions.

Diet to follow

Ghee, coconut oil, Sunflower seed, almond, taro root, flaxseed oil, soyabean, pistachio,
Broccoli, carrots, chard, nuts, papaya, pumpkin, red peppers
Flax seeds, walnut, tofu, brussel sprout, cauliflower, winter squash, fish oil, egg oil, krill oil, chia seeds, camelia are fine to take.
There are no diet restrictions. Please avoid all types of junk foods and Sodas. Please prefer homemade food wherever possible.

Part used

Root bark, root, seeds.

Dosage

Curna (powder) – 1- 3 g

Controversies

In Brihatrayi the term ‘Aparajita’ is not mentioned, but Sweta & Mahasweta are included under Sirovirécanopaga varga, Where Sweta is Aparajita and Mahasweta is given as Katabhi by Acarya Cakrapāņi. Under Vayasthapana the drug mentioned Śweta may be variety of Rāsnā as per Cakrapāṇī. Some scholars of South India Consider Aparajita (Clitoria termatea) as source for Sankhapuspi.

Varieties

Bh. Pr. Ni – 2 types – 1. Swetapushpa Aparajita 2. Nila pushpa Aparajita
Ra. Ni – 2 types – 1. Aswaksura 2. Nila Aparajita

Morphology

Habit – Slender vine or climber
Root – Tap root system, branched, roots are nodulated
Stem – Slender, green coloured
Leaf – Compound, imparipinnate, Leaflets are ovate or oblong and reticulately veined
Inflorescence – Axillary, Cymose solitary flower
Flowers – Blue or white in colour
Fruit – Pod, Seeds are non endospermic
Useful part – Root, Seed

Flower benefits

Its tea is prepared, known as Butterfly pea flower tea. It is used for boosting immunity and reducing inflammation. It is useful in headache and joint disorders. 

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most of the dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

Ayurvedic medicines

Important Ayurvedic medicines with Aparajita (Clitoria ternatea) herb
Garbhapal Ras
Vataraktantak Ras
Proprietary Ayurvedic medicine with Clitoria ternatea as ingredient 
Vajeekaran Capsule
Intelact capsule manufactured by Kerala Ayurveda Limited. It is mainly used to improve memory and concentration.