APRAJITA: From Mystical Lore to Modern Medicine

 

Many medicinal plants were associated with mysticism and magic in ancient and medieval times and were venerated. Aprajita, one such plant, is a wonderful, magical and medicinal plant with blue-purple flowers that appears during the summer and rainy season. The common Hindi and Sanskrit name ‘Aparajita’, which means ‘one who cannot be defeated’, is derived from the name of one of the most powerful Hindu Goddesses, Aparajita, a form of Devi Durga. In Buddhism, Aprajita is one of the various emanations of Ratnasambhava, one of the five meditating Buddhas in tantric Buddhism. Aparajita, botanically known as Clitoria ternatea, is a climbing herbaceous plant belonging to the Fabaceae family (Pea family). Native to Africa and some parts of Asia, it is widely cultivated in the tropical Southern hemisphere for its beautiful flowers, fodder and medicinal uses. As it has frequent references in our ancient literature, it might have been introduced in India quite early, thousands of years ago.

 

COMMON NAMES

English: Butterfly pea, Asian pigeonwings, Bluebell vine, Conch shell flower Hindi: Aparajita, Koyal Sanskrit: Girikarnika, Girikarni (leaves resemble Ear of rat), Krishankanta (blue flowering), Vishnukranta (white flowering), Vishnupriya, Yonipushpa, Kokilaa, Shankhapushp, Asphota (from dehiscent fruit), Ashvakhura Gujrati: Garnee, Garani Kannada: Sattaga, Shankhapuṣhpa, Shankhapuṣhpi, Girikanne, Girikarnike, Kaṇṭhi, Karnika Malayalam: Sangupushpam, Shankhapushpam, Aral, Malayamukki Marathi: Gokurna Shankhapushpa, Gokarni Nepali: Aparaajitaa, Shankhapushpee, Gokarna Tamil: Kannikkodi, Kannikotti, Girikarnika, Gilarnika, Kakkanam, Neelgantuna Telugu: Sakhapushpam, Sankupushpam, Dintena Tantrik: Bhagpushpi, Yonipushpa, Katthali Unnani: Mezereon

 

MORPHOLOGY

Aprajita is a slender, herbaceous twining plant. Leaves are pinnately 5- to 7-foliolate with small, linear stipules. Leaflets are broadly elliptic or ovate with 4 or 5 pairs of lateral veins. The leaf base is obtuse and the apex is slightly emarginate or mucronate. Flowers are large, showy, solitary, arising from the leaf axil and mostly blue, purple or white (or red, pink and mauve in ornamental cultivars) in colour. Calyx is membranous, 5-lobed and lobes lanceolate with an acuminate apex. Corolla is blue, purple, pink, or white and variable in shape. The standard of the corolla is broadly obovate and faintly white or orange in the middle. Wings and keels of the corolla are much shorter than standard; wings are obovate-oblong, and keels are elliptic. Fruit is a linear-oblong pod up to 11 cm long, 6-10 seeded, compressed and has a long beak. The seeds are black. 

I. AESTHETIC USES

Aprajita is a beautiful climber with blue, purple, red, or pink-coloured flowers. It is extensively grown in home and public gardens as an ornamental plant. It also improves the soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen in its root nodules.

Photograph courtesy: Dr. Om Prakash Sharma 'Vidyarthi'

II. CULINARY USES

Aprajita is used not only as an ornamental and medicinal plant but also has many culinary uses. The flowers are edible and are brewed in tea. The herbal tea made from its dried flowers is caffeine-free and can be enjoyed for its health benefits and aesthetic appeal.

Photograph source: Amazon India

III. MEDICINAL USES

 1. Useful in Cognitive Impairment and Brain Development

Ayurveda recognises Aprajita as a medhya herb and is useful for treating cognitive impairment and brain development in children.

 2. Balances Tridosha

Aprajita helps in balancing the three doshas in Ayurveda, i.e., Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, contributing to overall well-being.

3. Hepatoprotective Effect

Experimental studies with healthy male Wistar albino rats have shown that Aparajita lowers the enzyme levels of AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase), ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase), and bilirubin and has a hepatoprotective effect. It was reported that seeds of the white flowing variety are more effective than blue ones. The hepatoprotective effect of butterfly pea flower is displayed through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and associated lowering of AST and ALT.

 4. For Stress Relief

Aprajita is known for its adaptogenic properties. Its flowers are considered to help in alleviating stress and improving memory, focus, and overall brain function. It is often consumed as a tea for its calming effects.

 5. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Aprajita is rich in bioactive phytochemicals, which can combat oxidative stress and alleviate inflammation that can cause many chronic diseases.

 6. Antioxidant Potential

Aprajita is rich in anthocyanins, flavonoids and polyphenols that have antioxidant properties.

 7. Anti Diabetic Properties

Aprajita, or butterfly pea flower tea, is amazing for diabetic patients as it helps regulate blood sugar levels. Experimental studies on Aprajita have proved that it has potent antidiabetic properties. This activity is expressed through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and lower hepatic GSK-3b.

Photograph courtesy: Dr. Om Prakash Sharma 'Vidyarthi'

 8. For Skin and Hair Care

Aprajita has anti-ageing properties, which make it an ingredient in skin and hair care products. Its bioactive phytochemicals help in reducing fine skin lines and improving skin elasticity. It strengthens hair roots and prevents premature greying. Many scientific studies have proved that Aprajita/ butterfly pea flower tea prevents glycation of proteins and premature ageing of our skin.

 TOXICITY

Aprajita is generally safe for human beings if taken in moderate doses.

 

SACRED USES

The Aprajita plant has cultural and spiritual significance in various traditions around the world. In Hinduism, it is associated with Lord Vishnu and considered an incarnation of Maa Durga and used in numerous rituals and offerings. The Aprajita vine is worshipped during Sharad Navratri and Dussehra for well-being.

APRAJITA IN TANTRA

Aprajita is often used in tantra, a complex spiritual tradition focused on harnessing inner power through rituals. White flowering Aprajita roots are recommended to be brought home on Saturday, kept in a blue cloth, and hung at the main gate to ward off negative energies. It is suggested to harvest the roots of this plant during an auspicious time, keep the roots in a silver box near places of worship and worship daily before placing them with money to tackle financial problems. Flowers should be offered to Maa Lakshmi on Friday and Hanuman Ji on Saturday for wealth and career progression. Offer eleven flowers to Maa Durga on Wednesday for career-related problems. To counteract Shani Dev's malefic effects, worship Peepal with Aprajita flowers, then offer them to Shani Dev and throw some in flowing water. Observing Mokshada Ekadashi fast and offering blue Aparajita flowers to Shree Krishna can alleviate poverty. For marriage-related obstacles, bury 11 blue Aparajita flowers in a secluded place during Siddha Yoga on Saturday. Vaidya Mahabir Singh recommends wearing its root around the ear for migraine relief in his book Ped Paudhon Ke Tantrik Prayog.