Pluchea, particularly Pluchea indica and Pluchea lanceolata, has a history of use in various traditional medicine systems, including Ayurveda and Southeast Asian folk medicine. In these traditions, extracts from Pluchea are used as remedies for a range of digestive complaints, including colic (abdominal pain and cramping), especially in adults. The rationale for its use is often attributed to its purported antispasmodic, carminative, and anti-inflammatory properties, which are believed to help relieve gastrointestinal discomfort and reduce spasms associated with colic.

However, scientific studies specifically evaluating Pluchea for the treatment of adult colic are scarce. Some laboratory research has suggested that extracts of Pluchea species may have mild antispasmodic or anti-inflammatory effects, but these studies are preliminary and not focused directly on colic. There are no well-designed clinical trials or robust scientific reviews confirming its efficacy or safety for this specific use in adults. Therefore, while the use of Pluchea for colic is grounded in traditional practice, modern scientific validation is lacking, and the overall quality of evidence is low.