Aparajita-Medicinal Plant

                   Aparajita is one of the plant we are familiar with in India. The word  Aprajita means  undefeated.  

Because of its beautiful color and appearance it is cultivated in many gardens. Its botanical name is clitoria ternatea which is a climbing creeper. It belongs to the family  fabaceae,  pipilionacae. Its leaves are dark green in color. There are some  varieties with white, blue and lilac color flowers. In Kerala  its flowers  are referred as  sankhu pushpam or conch shell as it resembles the shape of the conch shell.  It is also known as butterfly pea flower. In Hindi it is known as koyala and dintena in hindi. This plant can be found almost everywhere in  india, Egypt, Syria, Afghanistan, Persia, Mesopotamia, Iraq etc. It posses light, sharp and dry attributes.  The plant can have a single petalled or five petalled combined flower. This herb is mentioned in almost all ancient scriptures of Ayurveda.  It is a perennial twining herb.

                         Aparajita is best known for its medicinal values.  It has various internal and external uses.

 Almost all parts of the plants such as root, leaves, seeds are used for medicinal purposes. The root paste of the white variety plant can be applied to skin diseases. Its roots tied as a garland or waistband around the expectant mother’s neck or waist can favour normal child birth even when caesarean is predicted. The white  aparajita’s root is tied as amulet around the waist about seven days before delivery date. Aparajita alleviates swelling and pain.The white flower extract is used to cure goiter.The root extracts of clitoria are used  for eye, throat infection and urinary problems.

Aparajita  because of its tranquillizing effects on brain can be used in  symptoms like  brain weakness,vertigo and syncope. Aparajita is used for common cold, cough, asthma and it  reduces the irritation of respiratory organs. It is a good blood purifier. It is used in healing ulcers of pylorus, duodenum etc.