Plumbago zeylanica, commonly known as Ceylon leadwort or Chitrak, has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic and other traditional medicine systems for the management of various ailments, including parasitic infestations. Historical texts such as the Ayurvedic Materia Medica (e.g., Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita) mention the use of Chitrak as a component in formulations aimed at expelling intestinal worms and treating other parasitic conditions. The root is particularly valued for its pungency and purported digestive and carminative properties, which are believed to help eliminate intestinal parasites and improve gut health.

While there is a wealth of anecdotal and traditional documentation supporting the use of Plumbago zeylanica against parasites, scientific validation is limited. Some in vitro studies have indicated potential antiparasitic or antimicrobial effects, but robust clinical trials and detailed pharmacological investigations are lacking. Thus, the primary justification for its use is traditional, with a modest (rated 2/5) level of evidence based on longstanding ethnomedical usage rather than modern scientific validation.