Giant Blazingstar (Liatris aspera) is a North American native plant that has been used in traditional herbal medicine by various Indigenous groups and early settlers. Historical ethnobotanical records indicate that roots of Giant Blazingstar were applied externally or sometimes used in decoctions for treating abscesses, boils, and other skin eruptions. The rationale for its traditional use likely stems from its astringent and possibly antimicrobial properties as recognized by traditional practitioners, although these properties have not been rigorously characterized in modern pharmacological studies. Some Native American tribes, such as the Meskwaki and Omaha, reportedly used the plant topically for conditions involving inflammation or pus formation, which would include abscesses. However, there is very limited documentation, and the use is far less prominent compared to other more commonly cited medicinal plants.

There is currently no robust scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of Giant Blazingstar in treating abscesses. No clinical trials or in-depth laboratory studies have validated its antimicrobial or wound-healing effects specifically for this purpose. Most available information is anecdotal or based on ethnobotanical surveys. Therefore, its use for abscesses is justified primarily by tradition rather than science, with a low evidence rating due to the lack of modern validation and the sparse nature of historical documentation.