Trichosanthis, specifically Trichosanthes kirilowii (commonly known as Tian Hua Fen or Chinese snakegourd root), has a longstanding history in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of abscesses, particularly those involving the lungs and breasts (such as mastitis). In TCM theory, Trichosanthis is believed to "clear heat," "resolve toxicity," and "reduce swellings," which aligns with the traditional understanding of abscess pathophysiology as being due to the accumulation of "heat toxins." It is often included in classical herbal formulas designed to address abscesses and similar purulent conditions.

From a biomedical perspective, there are limited scientific studies directly evaluating Trichosanthis's efficacy for treating abscesses in humans. Some laboratory and animal studies have identified anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of certain components extracted from Trichosanthes species, such as trichosanthin, but these findings are preliminary and do not constitute clinical evidence for abscess treatment. Systematic reviews or clinical trials specifically targeting abscess outcomes in humans are lacking. Modern pharmacological research has yet to confirm the traditional uses with robust clinical data.

In summary, the use of Trichosanthis for abscesses is strongly rooted in traditional practice, with some suggestive but limited preclinical data. There is a lack of high-quality scientific validation for this specific indication.