Chemical compounds isolated from C. ternatea include various triterpenoids, flavonol glycosides, anthocyanins and steroids.^[6] Cyclic peptides known as cliotides have been isolated from the heat-stable fraction of C. ternatea extract.^[7] The blue colour of C. ternatea is a result of various anthocyanins, most importantly ternatins – polyacylated derivatives of delphinidin 3,3', 5'-triglucoside (Da-T).^[8][9][10]

Rarely suffers from caterpillars,^[14] whiteflies,^[14][15][16] and spider mites.^[15][16]

Suffers from anthracnose and bacterial soft rot.^[16] Rarely suffers from fungal root rots.^[15]

In Southeast Asia, the flower is used as a natural food colouring to colour glutinous rice and desserts like the Eurasian putugal as well as an ayurvedic medicine.^[17] In Kelantan, in the north-east of peninsular Malaysia, it is an important ingredient in nasi kerabu, giving it its characteristic bluish colour. It is also used to colour the Nyonya dish pulot tartal.^[18]

The seeds/pods are edible when tender.^{[citation needed]}

Butterfly pea flower tea is made from the ternatea flowers and dried lemongrass and changes color depending on what is added to the liquid, with lemon juice turning it purple.^[19] In Thailand and Vietnam, this butterfly blue pea flower tea is commonly mixed with honey and lemon to increase acidity and turn the beverage a pink-purple color, to produce for a drink usually served after dinner, or as a refreshment at hotels and spas.^[20] The drink is a typical local drink like chamomile tea is in other parts of the world.^[20] The tea is found in both hot and cold varieties.^[21]

The flowers have more recently been used in a color-changing gin and absinthe. Blue in the bottle, it turns pink when mixed with a carbonated mixer such as tonic water due to the change in pH.^[22] As organic colours are not permanent, this type of gin is recommended to be stored in a dark place to maintain the effect.^[23] It is, however, not an allowed food ingredient in the EU and at least one gin using it was recalled for that reason.^[24]

This plant has a long use in traditional Ayurveda.^[6][25][26] No clinical trials on humans have been conducted.^[26]

Clitoria ternatea produces a class of cyclic peptides known as cyclotides, which exhibit potent insecticidal properties. These naturally occurring compounds are characterized by a stable cyclic cystine knot motif ^[27] contributing to their resistance to enzymatic degradation and their bioactivity against insect pests. This activity has been utilized in the formulation of botanical insecticides based on plant-derived extracts.^[28] Extracts of C. ternatea have been commercialized for pest control and have been officially recognized as an active substance with a classification by the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC).^[29] The insecticidal mode of action of cyclotides is believed to involve disruption of the epithelial membranes in the midgut of insect larvae following ingestion, leading to cell lysis and death.^[30] In addition to its toxic effects, Ct-extract has demonstrated repellent activity, contributing to pest management by deterring insect feeding and oviposition.^[31]