Pluchea, particularly Pluchea indica and Pluchea lanceolata, has a history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Southeast Asian folk medicine. In these traditions, Pluchea species are used for their purported anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and uterotonic properties. Afterbirth pain, which refers to uterine cramping and discomfort following childbirth as the uterus contracts back to its pre-pregnancy size, has historically been managed with herbal remedies believed to relieve pain and promote uterine health. Pluchea leaves or extracts have been included in postpartum herbal formulations or used as decoctions in some cultures for these purposes.

However, there is very limited direct scientific evidence to support the efficacy or safety of Pluchea for afterbirth pain specifically. Some laboratory studies have demonstrated that Pluchea extracts possess anti-inflammatory and mild analgesic effects in animal models, which could theoretically translate to pain relief. Yet, no clinical trials or rigorous studies have evaluated its use for postpartum uterine pain in humans. Thus, while the use of Pluchea for afterbirth pain is justified by tradition, scientific validation is minimal, and evidence quality is low. Most references come from ethnobotanical surveys or traditional medicine texts rather than modern pharmacological research.