That Blue Thai Butterfly Tea is an Amazing Skincare Tonic

I've been in Thailand for a couple weeks now. Most of that time has been spent on the island of Koh Samui - Bangkok is a little too cray cray for me, but Samui is an island paradise and a great place to recharge and submerse myself into the culture. One of my goals this trip is to discover new natural beauty remedies native to the country. Coconut and lemongrass are two of the most well known beauty ingredients that come to mind when I think of Thailand. However, this evening I came across something unfamiliar while at the market and I knew I had to investigate it further so I bought a bag of dried Butterfly Pea Flower Tea.

What is Butterfly Tea?

Used for centuries in Southeast Asia as a caffeine-free herbal beverage & a plant-based food and clothing dye, Butterly Pea Flower tea (made from the Clitoria ternatea plant) is made from a combination of dried blue pea flowers and lemongrass and it has some pretty mesmerizing qualities.

Once water is added to the tea, the deep blue liquid changes color based on the pH level of whatever is added next. Squeeze in some lemon and the blue changes to purple. Fun - like a mood ring! I'm also wondering how consuming this drink would affect the Throat & Third Eye Chakras... but I digress.

Heath Benefits of Butterfly Pea Flower Tea

Like green tea, Butterfly Pea Flower tea is full of potent antioxidants, and has even been studied for its ability to help protect the skin against premature aging (it fights against glycation, which is protein damage caused by an influx of sugar molecules).

I'm loving the idea of making a hydrosol with some of the dried leaves and experimenting with the plant in skin care formulations - perhaps making a limited edition product for the Apotheca Borealis line.

There have been additional studies showing the tea’s ability to help fight against internal inflammation. Traditionally, the Butterfly Pea plant and tea made from it have been used to treat general pain, reduce inflammation, help with common eye issues like conjunctivitis, fight against certain types of cancers, induce brain health, and increase vitality.

I'll definitely be adding this drink to my health and beauty routine and I'll keep you updated on any skin care experiments made from this interesting plant. To your health!

- Anne Christina