Bletilla, specifically Bletilla striata (commonly known as Chinese ground orchid), has a well-documented history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the external treatment of ulcerations, wounds, and burns. Historical texts such as the Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica) describe its use as a hemostatic agent and for promoting tissue regeneration. The tuber is typically ground into a powder and applied directly to the affected area to help stop bleeding, reduce swelling, and facilitate healing. This traditional use is supported by numerous classical TCM sources and remains common in modern herbal practice in East Asia.

Some modern pharmacological studies have begun to investigate the wound healing properties of Bletilla striata. Preliminary in vitro and animal studies suggest that extracts of Bletilla may promote fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, and have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, which could contribute to the healing of ulcerations. However, while these scientific findings are promising, robust clinical trials in humans are lacking. Thus, the primary justification for Bletilla’s use in treating external ulcerations remains traditional, with moderate preclinical evidence providing some support for these historical claims.