Cedrus libani (Lebanon cedar) has a longstanding history of use in traditional medicine, particularly within Middle Eastern and Mediterranean regions. Historical texts and ethnobotanical records indicate that various parts of the cedar tree, including its resin and wood, were applied topically to treat skin afflictions such as abscesses, wounds, and ulcers. The rationale behind this practice was largely due to the aromatic resins and essential oils produced by the tree, which were believed to have antiseptic and healing properties. Some references from ancient Egyptian and Greco-Roman sources suggest that cedar oil and resin were used in poultices or ointments for their purported antimicrobial effects.

However, scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of Cedrus libani specifically for abscess treatment is limited. While the essential oils from some Cedrus species have demonstrated mild antimicrobial activity in laboratory studies, there is little direct clinical data or robust in vivo research confirming its effectiveness for treating abscesses in humans. As such, the use of Cedrus libani for abscesses is best understood in the context of traditional medicine, with a moderate historical record but lacking strong contemporary scientific validation.