Divi-divi (Caesalpinia coriaria) is a tropical tree whose pods and bark have been used in traditional medicine, particularly in the Caribbean and parts of Central and South America. In folk remedies, preparations made from divi-divi have been applied topically to various skin ailments, including boils, wounds, and ulcers. The rationale for its use is likely due to the presence of tannins, which have astringent properties and may help dry out skin lesions or reduce inflammation. However, there is very limited documentation of these practices, largely confined to ethnobotanical surveys and anecdotal reports.

As for scientific validation, there is currently a lack of robust clinical or pharmacological studies directly investigating the efficacy or safety of divi-divi for the treatment of boils (furuncles). While some laboratory studies have identified antimicrobial and antioxidant properties in extracts of the plant, these findings are preliminary and not specific to the management of boils. Therefore, the use of divi-divi for boils is primarily supported by traditional practice, with minimal scientific evidence to substantiate its effectiveness. Its use should be approached with caution until more rigorous data becomes available.