Calotropis gigantea, also known as the crown flower or giant milkweed, has a long-standing place in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and traditional folk practices in India and Southeast Asia. For centuries, various parts of the plant—particularly the leaves and latex—have been applied externally to treat minor wounds, scratches, and abrasions. The rationale for its use is often attributed to its purported anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which are believed to help in cleansing wounds and promoting healing. However, this practice is primarily based on ethnobotanical and anecdotal evidence rather than rigorous scientific validation.

Scientific studies on Calotropis gigantea are limited, especially in the context of wound healing for superficial injuries like scratches and abrasions. Some in vitro and animal studies have demonstrated antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity in plant extracts, which could theoretically support wound healing. However, these findings are preliminary and there is a lack of controlled clinical studies specifically evaluating its safety and efficacy for skin abrasions in humans. Furthermore, the latex can be irritating and even toxic to skin in some cases, which raises safety concerns about its use.

In summary, while Calotropis gigantea has traditional support for use in treating scratches and abrasions, robust scientific evidence is lacking, and caution is warranted due to potential toxicity.