Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea) has a history of use in traditional Ayurvedic and Southeast Asian medicine, where it is often employed as a brain tonic to enhance memory, reduce stress, and improve cognitive function. The traditional rationale for its use in supporting the acetylcholine system is rooted in its reputed "medhya" (nootropic) properties, as described in Ayurvedic texts. Acetylcholine is a key neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory, and several traditional claims about Butterfly Pea suggest cognitive enhancement, which could be linked, at least conceptually, to acetylcholine activity.

Modern scientific studies are limited but suggest that extracts of Butterfly Pea may inhibit acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, thereby potentially increasing acetylcholine levels in the brain. Some in vitro and animal studies have demonstrated mild acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity and improvements in learning and memory in rodents, providing a possible mechanism for the traditional use. However, robust clinical trials in humans are lacking, and the evidence remains preliminary.

In summary, while there are traditional uses and some early-stage scientific findings suggesting an effect on the acetylcholine system, the bulk of support for Butterfly Pea in this context is traditional, with modest but insufficient scientific validation to date.