Elephant Vine, also known as Argyreia nervosa, has a history of traditional use in various systems of folk medicine, particularly in South Asia. For abrasions and minor skin injuries, the leaves and extracts of Elephant Vine have been applied topically in traditional healing practices. Ethnobotanical surveys from India and neighboring countries document its use for wound healing, often citing its purported anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. However, these references are primarily anecdotal or based on local knowledge rather than rigorous scientific studies.

Scientific studies on the wound healing or abrasion-treating properties of Elephant Vine are limited. Some in vitro studies have indicated that extracts from the plant possess mild antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, which could theoretically support wound healing. Nonetheless, there is a lack of robust clinical evidence or controlled trials directly evaluating its efficacy for abrasions in humans or animals. Therefore, while its use is rooted in tradition and supported by some preliminary pharmacological findings, the strength of the evidence remains low.

In summary, Elephant Vine is used for abrasions primarily due to traditional practices, with very limited scientific validation available as of now. Further research is needed to confirm its safety and effectiveness for this indication.