Chiococca alba, commonly known as David’s milkberry or West Indian snowberry, is used in traditional medicine across parts of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Its application for treating scratches and abrasions is primarily rooted in folk practices. In several ethnobotanical surveys, the roots and sometimes the leaves are reported to be prepared as poultices or washes for skin wounds, abrasions, and minor injuries. The rationale for its use is often based on the plant’s perceived cleansing and soothing properties rather than direct antimicrobial or wound-healing evidence.

There is limited scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of Chiococca alba for wound healing. Some studies have identified the presence of flavonoids, saponins, and other secondary metabolites in the plant, which may confer mild anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial activity. However, direct studies evaluating wound healing, the acceleration of abrasion repair, or prevention of infection in a clinical or laboratory context are lacking. As such, while the traditional use is well-documented, scientific validation remains minimal, and the evidence is based mostly on the plant’s long-standing role in folk medicine rather than robust clinical research.