Prickly Chaff Flower (Achyranthes aspera) has a long history of traditional use in Ayurvedic and other systems of herbal medicine, particularly in South Asia. It is often utilized to support the urinary system, including promoting diuresis (increased urine production) and addressing urinary tract discomfort or calculi. Traditional practitioners have used various preparations of the plant—such as decoctions or powders of the root, leaves, or seeds—to help manage symptoms like dysuria (painful urination), urinary retention, and kidney stones.

However, scientific validation for these uses remains limited. A small number of animal studies suggest mild diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects, but robust clinical trials in humans are lacking. The traditional use is primarily based on empirical observations and centuries of anecdotal reports rather than modern pharmacological evidence. Existing scientific literature mostly documents ethnobotanical surveys or preliminary phytochemical analyses rather than rigorous efficacy studies. As such, while Prickly Chaff Flower is traditionally used to support the urinary system, the evidence for its effectiveness is not strong by modern scientific standards.