Asian Plantain (Plantago asiatica) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in East Asia, for treating minor skin wounds and abrasions. In Chinese and Korean traditional medicine, the leaves of plantain are commonly applied topically as a poultice or dressing to promote wound healing, reduce inflammation, and prevent infection. These uses are based on centuries of empirical evidence and are documented in traditional pharmacopeias such as the Chinese Materia Medica.

Phytochemical studies have found that Plantago species, including Plantago asiatica, contain bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, iridoid glycosides (e.g., aucubin), and polysaccharides, which have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities in laboratory settings. While these findings provide a plausible mechanism for their traditional use, direct clinical studies specifically evaluating the efficacy of Asian Plantain for abrasions in humans are limited or lacking. Thus, the use of Asian Plantain for abrasions is primarily justified by traditional use and some supportive in vitro and animal research, but not by high-quality clinical trials.