Clitoria ternatea
Butterfly pea, Asian Pigeonwings, Wing-leaved Clitoris, Indian MezereonHu Die Hua Dou (Seed, TCM)
Aparajita (Ayurveda)
Kakkanam, Kakkana Ver (Root, Siddha)
Mezereon Hindii (Root, Unani)
Battikh Hindi (Arabic)
Clitoria ternateaPaxton’s Magazine of Botany, 1840
Clitoria ternatea flower(Photo by Wilfredor) (Wikimedia)
Botanical name:
Clitoria ternatea
Parts used:
Root, Leaf, Seed
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry, Pungent, Bitter
Uses:
1. Settles Wind, Calms the Mind: (Leaf)
-Migraine, Dizziness,
-Psychoneurosis, Mania, Mental illness, Insanity
-given with Honey to strengthen Mental faculty in children
-diseases caused by Evil Spirits or bad astrology (Graha)
2. Clears Heat:
-Gastric acidity, abdominal pain
-burning syndrome
-Diabetes
3. Clears Damp, Purges Water:
-Cathartic, like Jalap;
-Edema (Leaf, Root), Ascites (Root)
-obstinate Urinary diseases
-Roots are strongest; Seeds have a gentler laxative effect
4. Clears Wind-Damp:
-obstinate skin diseases; Leprosy, Scabies, Pruritus (Leaf, root)
-Joint pain, Rheumatoid Arthritis (Seed)
-Ulcer
5. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough:
-Cough, Croup, Bronchitis (Root is also used)
-Dyspnoea
-Emetic in full doses
6. Resists Poison:
-Poisoning
-leaf paste is applied to swellings
-paste is applied to insect and scorpion bites (Seed)
7. Clears Eyes:
-clears Eyesight (Leaf, Root)
8. Kills Worms:
-used for Worms (Root)
Dose:
ROOT: Powder: 250–500mg for Children; 750mg–1½ grams for adults.
2 drams of the root ground with 2 oz. of Cow Milk and given for 2 mornings is used for Edema
Infusion (1 in 8): taken in doses of 1–2 oz.
Fluid Extract (1 : 1): 5–10 grains
SEED: 1–3 grams in Powder; 3 grams is purgative
LEAF: 2–5 grams in Powder; 5–15 grams in Decoction
Substitute:
1. This plant is used for Shakhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) in Southern India. Shakhapushpi is used for mania, psychosis and mental illness, as well as being credited with strengthening mental function. Convolvulus pluricaulis can be used in its place.
2. Evolvulus alsinoides
3. Iris ensata
4. Daphne Mezereon
Comment:
The Leaf is used in Tridosa diseases, obstinate diseases caused by imbalance of all three Humors (Dosas)
Preparation:
Frying the root in Almond oil is used to correct its harsh action.
Main Combinations:
1. Insanity, Mental Illness:
i. Clitoria ternetea leaf with Calamus, Triphala, Indian Spikenard (Tibetan Medicine)
2. Ascites, Clitoria ternetea root with Baliospermum root, Indiofera root, Pladera root (Ayurveda)
3. Skin diseases, prepare an oil with Clitoria ternetea leaf, Psoralea, Cassia tora, Pongamia seed, Turmeric, Symplocos, Neem leaf, Sophora (as in Somaraji Taila)
Major Formulas:
Cautions:
1. Overdose causes nausea, vomiting, violent catharsis
2. Not suitable for those with warm nature.