Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa) has a history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly among Native American groups of the Pacific Northwest. The plant was traditionally used topically for minor wounds, scratches, and abrasions, often as a poultice or wash made from the crushed leaves or roots. However, documentation of these uses is sparse and largely anecdotal, appearing primarily in ethnobotanical surveys and historical accounts rather than in systematic pharmacological studies.

There is little to no scientific validation for Bleeding Heart’s efficacy in treating scratches and abrasions. No substantial clinical trials or laboratory studies have evaluated its wound-healing properties or identified active compounds beneficial for skin repair. The rationale for its traditional use may stem from empirical observation or symbolic association (for example, the plant’s bleeding-like sap), but this has not been confirmed by modern research.

In summary, the use of Bleeding Heart for scratches and abrasions is based primarily on tradition with very limited supporting evidence and no scientific validation. Caution is also warranted, as parts of the plant contain potentially toxic alkaloids, and safety for topical use has not been established.