AN UPDATE ON AYURVEDIC HERB VISHNUKANTA (CLITORIA TERNATEA LINN.): A REVIEW

Clitoria ternatea commonly known as Butterfly pea is a medicinal plant belonging to the family Fabaceae. The plant is reported to be used in lithiasis, insect bites, skin diseases, asthma, burning sensation, ascites, inflammation, leucoderma, leprosy, hemicrania, amentia and pulmonary tuberculosis. It is commonly called “Shankpushpi” in the Sanskrit language where it is reported to be a good “Medhya” (brain tonic). The major phytoconstituents found in Clitoria ternatea are the pentacyclic triterpenoids such as taraxerol and taraxerone, ternatins, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, carbohydrates, proteins, resins and starch. Various secondary metabolites including triterpenoids, flavonols, anthocyanins and steroids have been isolated from Clitoria ternatea Linn.