Pukingan tea

BY KIM ATIENZA

You surely have seen it, but didn’t know its scientific name, or its uses.

You are attracted to its flower in a lovely shade of blue, following the shape of the female genitalia.

It is called clitoris ternatea, or pukingan, a twining herb or climbing vine with slender stem.

Its name is derived from the flower’s similarity to the female external genitalia: “clitoria” from clitoris and “pukingan,” Tagalog variant for vagina.

Not only are the flowers of this vine pretty, they also contain medicinal properties.

*

Pukingan, whose leaves can be made into blue tea, has antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties.

Listed among its benefits are the following, quoting Stuart Exchange in an article, Philippine Medicinal Plants.

It can reduce stress and anxiety.

Beneficial for hair and skin.

Has anti-cancer and anti-tumor properties.

Anti-inflammatory properties.

*

One of the distinct characteristics of pukingan flower tea or even other drinks that use pukingan extract, is that it will change color when the pH balance changes. A deep blue tea will turn purple with the addition of lemon juice, says the article.

*

Pukingan flower isn’t only pretty.

For centuries, it has been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine as a memory enhancer.

It is believed to be a brain booster, anti-stress and calmative agent.