Blue tea from the flowers of the clitoris ternate (anchan): a drink with health benefits

Have you ever seen blue tea? No, this is not fantasy, but reality. Blue tea, also known as anchan, is a drink made from brewing butterfly pea flowers. This amazing flower has a bright blue shade and is used not only as a decorative plant but also in cooking and medicine.

Blue tea has many health and beauty benefits, as well as spiritual and cultural value. In this article, we will tell you everything about blue tea from butterfly pea flowers: how to brew and drink it, what advantages it provides, and what side effects and contraindications it has.

 

Benefits of Butterfly Pea Flower Tea

Blue tea from butterfly pea flowers has many health and beauty benefits. Below we will discuss some of them.

 

For Health

• Immune Support. Blue tea contains vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These substances help strengthen the immune system and protect the body from infections and diseases.
• Antioxidant Properties. Blue tea is rich in anthocyanins — plant pigments that give the flowers their blue color. Anthocyanins are powerful antioxidants that fight free radicals — harmful molecules that cause oxidative stress and cell aging. Antioxidants help prevent or slow down the development of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases.
• Anti-inflammatory Action. Blue tea also contains flavonoids — plant compounds with anti-inflammatory properties. Flavonoids help reduce inflammation in tissues and joints, as well as relieve pain. The anti-inflammatory properties of blue tea can be beneficial for people suffering from arthritis, asthma, allergies, and other inflammatory diseases.
• Heart Health Support. Blue tea helps improve blood circulation and lower blood pressure. This has a positive effect on heart and vascular health, as well as reduces the risk of developing coronary heart disease, stroke, and hypertension. In addition, blue tea helps lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, which are risk factors for atherosclerosis and heart attacks.
• Brain Function Improvement. Blue tea stimulates cognitive functions such as memory, attention, concentration, and creativity. This is due to the fact that blue tea improves blood supply to the brain and protects nerve cells from oxidative stress and inflammation. Tea can also help prevent or slow down the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
• Potential Benefit for Diabetics. Anchan can help regulate blood sugar levels and increase insulin sensitivity. This can be beneficial for people with diabetes or prediabetes, as well as for the prevention of these diseases. However, diabetics should consult a doctor before consuming blue tea, as this tea may interact with certain medications that affect blood sugar levels.
• Potential Benefit for Weight Loss. Blue tea may aid in weight loss by speeding up metabolism, suppressing appetite, and reducing fat tissue. It also helps remove excess fluid from the body and cleanses the intestines of waste and toxins. However, blue tea is not a miraculous weight loss remedy, and its effect may be insignificant if a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet are not followed.
• Detoxification. Blue tea is an excellent detox drink as it helps cleanse the body of toxins that can accumulate in the liver, kidneys, skin, and other organs. It also improves the functioning of the digestive system and helps remove excess fluid and swelling. Detoxification with blue tea can improve well-being, increase energy, and strengthen the immune system. For a detox course with blue tea, it is recommended to drink it for 3–5 days, 2–3 cups a day, preferably in the morning and afternoon. It is also recommended to maintain a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet, avoiding fatty, sweet, and spicy foods, alcohol, and coffee. A detox course with blue tea can be carried out once a month or as needed, but not more often than once every two weeks.

 

For Beauty

• Skin Benefits. Blue tea improves the condition of the skin, making it soft and smooth. It also helps fight acne, pigmentation, wrinkles, and other skin problems. This is because blue tea moisturizes the skin, improves its elasticity, and stimulates collagen production. In addition, tea protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation, which can cause photoaging and skin cancer.
• Hair Benefits. Blue tea promotes healthy hair growth and shine. It also prevents hair loss, dandruff, dryness, and brittleness. This is because blue tea nourishes the hair, strengthens its roots, and improves blood circulation in the scalp.

 

Side Effects and Contraindications of Butterfly Pea Flower Tea

Blue tea is a safe and natural drink that does not have serious side effects when consumed in moderation. However, like any other product, blue tea may cause adverse reactions in some people and may have contraindications for certain groups of the population. Below we will discuss some of them.

 

Allergic Reactions

Some people may be allergic to butterfly pea flowers or other ingredients added to blue tea, such as lemon, honey, ginger, etc. Allergic reactions can manifest as a skin rash, itching, swelling, coughing, sneezing, or runny nose. If you notice these symptoms after consuming blue tea, stop drinking it immediately and consult a doctor.

 

Interaction with Medications

Blue tea may interact with certain medications that affect blood pressure, blood sugar, or blood clotting. This can lead to an increase or decrease in the effect of the medications, as well as an increased risk of bleeding or hypotension. If you are taking such medications, consult a doctor before drinking this tea.

 

Potential Harm for Pregnant and Nursing Women

Blue tea is not recommended for pregnant and nursing women as it may affect hormonal balance and can penetrate into breast milk. This can negatively affect the development of the fetus or baby, and may also cause premature birth, miscarriage, or suppression of lactation. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid consuming blue tea.

 

Possible Digestive Issues

Blue tea may cause some digestive issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or gas. This may be due to individual intolerance or excessive consumption of this tea. If you experience these symptoms, reduce the amount of blue tea you drink or stop drinking it. You can also add other ingredients to anchan that improve digestion, such as mint, fennel, or coriander.

 

How to Brew and Drink Butterfly Pea Flower Tea

Blue tea is easy to prepare and drink. Let's look at some recommendations for choosing, storing, brewing, and consuming blue tea.

 

Recommendations for Choosing and Storing Flowers

Butterfly pea flowers can be bought dried or fresh. Dried flowers have a longer shelf life but may lose some of their beneficial properties and aroma. Fresh flowers have a richer color and taste but may spoil quickly. Therefore, if you buy fresh flowers, store them in the refrigerator for no more than two days, and if dried, in a hermetically sealed package in a dry and dark place for no more than six months.

 

Blue Tea Brewing Recipe

To prepare blue tea, you will need the following ingredients: 2–3 butterfly pea flowers (dried or fresh), 250 ml of boiling water, and optionally lemon, honey, ginger, or other additives. The preparation method is as follows: place the flowers in a teapot or cup, pour boiling water over them, and steep for 5–10 minutes. Then strain the tea and add lemon, honey, ginger, or other additives to taste. You can enjoy blue tea both hot and cold.

 

Recommendations for Dosage and Consumption of Blue Tea

Blue tea can be drunk at any time of the day, but it is best in the morning or afternoon as it can give you energy and vigor. It is not recommended to drink blue tea before bedtime as it may disturb your sleep. It is also not recommended to drink it on an empty stomach as it may irritate the stomach. The optimal dose of blue tea is 1–2 cups a day. Do not overdo it with the consumption of this tea as it may lead to side effects that we have already discussed.

 

Which Blue Tea is Healthier: Whole Flowers or Blue Matcha?

Blue tea can be made from both butterfly pea flowers and blue matcha — a powder made from ground flowers. Both types of this tea are equally beneficial for health.

Tea made from whole butterfly pea flowers has a more delicate color, taste, and aroma than tea made from blue matcha.

Tea made from blue matcha, on the other hand, has a more intense color, taste, and aroma, and contains more anthocyanins and other beneficial substances. In addition, it is more convenient to prepare. Blue tea made from whole flowers requires more thorough brewing, while blue matcha can simply be poured with hot water and whisked with a whisk or chasen for 30–60 seconds until a homogeneous foam is obtained.

 

Spiritual and Cultural Benefits of Butterfly Pea Flower Tea

Blue tea is not only beneficial for the body but also for the soul. It has a long history and traditions of consumption in different countries and cultures, as well as symbolic meaning and influence on mental health. Let's briefly consider some of them.

 

History and Traditions of Blue Tea Consumption

The butterfly pea flower originates from Southeast Asia, where it grows in tropical and subtropical conditions. This flower is known by various names such as anchan, butterfly pea, pigeon wings, Asian pigeonwings, or blue tea. The butterfly pea flower has been used as tea in different countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, India, and others.

Blue tea was popular among royalty, as well as among monks who drank it for meditation and relaxation. This tea was also used in cooking, medicine, and cosmetics.

 

Symbolic Meaning of Blue Tea

Butterfly pea flower tea has different symbolic meanings in different cultures. In some countries, it is associated with wisdom, calmness, and spirituality. In other countries — with love, romance, and happiness. In some countries, blue tea is associated with magic, mystery, and wonders.

In general, blue tea has a positive and inspiring meaning that can lift your mood and improve self-esteem.

 

Impact of Blue Tea on Mental Health

Blue tea can have a beneficial effect on mental health as it helps relieve stress, improve mood, and increase concentration. Anchan can also help fight depression, anxiety, and insomnia as it improves serotonin production — the happiness hormone.

Blue tea can also stimulate creative thinking, imagination, and intuition as it activates the right hemisphere of the brain. Tea can also help achieve a state of meditation, relaxation, and harmony as it balances the chakras — the energy centers in the body.

 

Blue tea from butterfly pea flowers is a wonderful drink that has many health and beauty benefits, as well as spiritual and cultural value. It is a great way to please yourself and your loved ones, as well as learn something new and interesting. Try blue tea and you won't regret it!