Fern-leaf yarrow (Achillea filipendulina) has a long history of traditional use for treating minor wounds and abrasions. The broader yarrow species (Achillea spp.), including fern-leaf yarrow, have been used in folk medicine across Europe, Asia, and North America for their purported wound-healing properties. Historical records indicate that yarrow was applied topically to cuts and abrasions to help stop bleeding and promote healing, likely due to its astringent and purported antimicrobial qualities. The plant contains compounds such as flavonoids and tannins, which are thought to contribute to these effects.

However, most of the documented evidence comes from traditional and ethnobotanical sources rather than rigorous clinical studies. While laboratory studies on related yarrow species have demonstrated some antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities in vitro, there is limited direct scientific research specifically on Achillea filipendulina or on its efficacy for treating abrasions in humans. Thus, the support for its use in abrasions is primarily traditional, with only modest scientific evidence available, and no high-quality clinical trials confirming its effectiveness for this indication.