Plumbago zeylanica (commonly known as Chitrak) has a longstanding history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly Ayurveda, Unani, and folk medicine across South Asia. For skin ailments, including scabies, its roots and leaves have been used externally in the form of pastes or decoctions. The rationale is largely based on its irritant and counter-irritant properties, which traditional practitioners believed could help in alleviating itching and eradicating ectoparasites like the scabies mite (Sarcoptes scabiei).

There is sparse scientific research directly examining the efficacy of Plumbago zeylanica for scabies specifically. Some laboratory studies have demonstrated that extracts of the plant have antimicrobial and antiparasitic activity, but these studies are not specific to scabies mites, nor are they sufficient to establish clinical efficacy for this condition. The primary bioactive compound, plumbagin, has shown some broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antiparasitic effects in vitro, but again, direct evidence for its use in scabies is lacking.

In summary, while the traditional use of Plumbago zeylanica for scabies is well documented in ethnomedical records, there is little to no robust scientific validation for its use specifically against scabies. The evidence supporting its effectiveness for this condition remains limited to traditional practices and anecdotal reports.