Devil's Club (Oplopanax horridus) has a long history of traditional use among Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest of North America. It has been applied topically and sometimes taken internally for a variety of ailments, including skin infections such as boils, sores, and wounds. Ethnobotanical records document its use as a poultice made from the inner bark or roots, sometimes combined with other herbs, to draw out pus and support healing of skin abscesses and boils (Turner, 2011). The rationale for traditional use is based on the plant's observed effects and cultural knowledge passed down through generations.

However, while there is some preliminary laboratory research indicating Devil's Club may have antimicrobial properties, there is currently insufficient scientific evidence from clinical trials or robust studies to support its efficacy specifically for boils (McCutcheon et al., 2003). Modern herbalists sometimes cite these traditional uses, but scientific support is limited. Therefore, its use for boils is primarily justified by tradition rather than scientific validation.