By Anna Maria Giambanco DiPietro, Contributing Beauty Editor
You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.
- C.S. Lewis
I’d have to agree that I’m always glad for another cup of tea and a new book. Armed with a few good reads and moving into the spring, I found myself in search of a skincare/beauty regimen reboot. Enter: Butterfly Pea Flower. Used to brew soothing herbal teas, infuse skincare products with healing benefits, and elevate craft cocktails and mocktails, this magical flower is my new crush.
About Butterfly Pea Flowers
Beyond turning your beverages a romantic sapphire blue hue, it’s a powerful antioxidant-rich ingredient. Native to the lush, equatorial regions of South Asia, it’s making its way into skincare and food products across the globe. No newbie in the wellness realm, traditional Ayurvedic healers have relied on butterly pea flowers for hundreds of years.
With an earthy flavor and the ability to change colors when mixed with a squirt of lemon or lime (it turns purple), butterfly pea flowers are pretty sensational. As if its lovely color and chameleon abilities weren’t enough, this plant is also a mood-enhancer. There’s more—studies have shown it to be helpful in reducing anxiety and stress, boosting energy levels, and it even increases stamina. Try a freshly brewed cup for your next afternoon pick-me-up in lieu of a sugary, caffeinated beverage. You’ll be glad that you did!
Health Benefits of Butterfly Pea Flowers
As an esthetician, I keep it simple when it comes to skincare, following the tenets of Ayurveda. Basically, sticking as close to nature as possible, and using beauty products and ingredients that you’d also feel safe having in your pantry. Butterly pea flower is loaded with polyphenols which are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Loading up on polyphenol-rich foods and skincare products stimulates natural elastin and collagen production. Antioxidants found in plants such as the butterfly pea flower reduces redness, inflammation and helps slow and reverse the signs of aging due to stress and overexposure to the sun. Read on and check out a few of our fave products containing magical butterfly pea flowers!
$85 US
Blue Butterfly Stem Cell Hydration Mask from Lovinah is enriched with seawater, plant stem cells, and marine extracts. It is infused with prebiotics and probiotics, which helps to provide protection against free radicals and noticeably boost the feeling of hydrated skin.
PC: BLUE BUTTERFLY
$27.99 US
This non-stripping, holistic formula will leave your complexion feeling soft, revitalized, and incredibly refreshed. There are ZERO dyes, chemicals, or preservatives in this toner- making it suitable for all skin types, even sensitive!
PC: TEAMI
$7.99 US
This tea has been used to enhance the color of food, beverages, and much more but also has long been thought of as a natural memory enhancer, brain booster, anti-stress, and much more by the ancients.
PC: HERBALISTIC WELLNESS
$12.75 US
Hailed As The New Matcha, The Butterfly Tea Flower has a light taste similar to green tea. Use as a blue color additive for dishes, cakes, and cocktails. Sure to delight at any wedding, birthday or holiday.
PC: GIVE OR BUY