Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in various cultures across Europe and Asia. For abrasions and minor wounds, traditional healers have sometimes applied poultices or infusions made from the leaves or aerial parts of the plant. The rationale behind this application is mainly due to bindweed’s purported anti-inflammatory and mildly antimicrobial properties, as observed in anecdotal and ethnobotanical records.

However, scientific validation of bindweed’s effectiveness for treating abrasions is very limited. While some laboratory studies have explored bioactive compounds in bindweed—such as flavonoids and alkaloids—these studies are preliminary and do not directly address wound healing or skin repair. There is no robust clinical evidence demonstrating bindweed’s efficacy or safety for topical use on abrasions. As such, its use is best characterized as traditional and should be approached with caution, especially given the lack of standardized preparations and potential toxicity concerns with certain plant constituents.

In summary, bindweed’s use for abrasions is rooted in traditional practices, not in scientific validation. The evidence supporting its use is weak (rated 1 out of 5), and there are no well-conducted clinical studies to confirm its benefits for this indication.