Centipeda minima, commonly known as "spreading sneezeweed," has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. It has been traditionally applied topically for minor wounds, abrasions, and skin infections. The rationale for its use is primarily based on its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, as observed in ethnobotanical records and traditional pharmacopoeias. In Chinese medicine, it is considered beneficial for "detoxifying" and "reducing swelling," which aligns with folk applications for minor skin injuries such as abrasions.

Scientific studies on Centipeda minima have identified various bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, and essential oils that exhibit anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities in laboratory assays. However, direct clinical evidence specifically supporting its efficacy for treating abrasions is lacking. Most of the cited pharmacological studies are in vitro or animal-based and focus on general anti-inflammatory or wound-healing properties rather than controlled trials for abrasions in humans.

In summary, the use of Centipeda minima for abrasions is justified primarily by traditional knowledge and supported by some preliminary pharmacological data, but robust scientific validation or clinical studies are currently insufficient.