Alpine Lily (Lilium parvum), a plant native to western North America, has a history of use in some traditional herbal medicine systems. Its roots and bulbs have been employed by indigenous peoples and herbalists for a variety of ailments, including skin conditions such as abscesses, boils, and ulcers. The traditional rationale centers on the plant's purported ability to "draw out" infection and promote healing when applied topically, often as a poultice or wash. However, these uses are primarily based on ethnobotanical records, anecdotal accounts, and folk practices rather than controlled scientific studies.

There is a lack of robust clinical or pharmacological research specifically validating Alpine Lily’s efficacy in the treatment of abscesses. No well-designed studies have isolated active compounds from Alpine Lily that have been shown to impact abscesses or bacterial infections in a clinical setting. Therefore, while its use is justified by tradition and longstanding herbal practices, the evidence is minimal and largely anecdotal, meriting a low evidence rating.