Prickly Chaff Flower (Achyranthes aspera) has a long-standing history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly Ayurveda and various folk medicines in India and surrounding regions. The plant is commonly used for its astringent and styptic (bleeding-stopping) properties, with various parts of the plant—especially the leaves and roots—being applied directly to wounds, cuts, and external injuries to arrest bleeding. These traditional uses are documented in several classical Ayurvedic texts and ethnobotanical surveys, which mention topical application as a means to promote hemostasis and support wound healing.

However, scientific validation of these effects is limited. A few in vitro and animal studies suggest that extracts of Achyranthes aspera may have hemostatic and wound healing properties, possibly due to the presence of saponins, alkaloids, and other phytochemicals with astringent actions. Nevertheless, robust clinical trials or comprehensive pharmacological studies specifically confirming its efficacy in stopping external bleeding are lacking.

In summary, while there is a strong basis for its use rooted in traditional medicine, scientific evidence remains preliminary and inconclusive. Therefore, its use for external bleeding is justified primarily by tradition, with a moderate level of supporting evidence.