Petiveria, commonly known as Petiveria alliacea or "guinea hen weed," has a long history of use in traditional medicine throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and parts of South America. Folk healers have employed various preparations of the plant to treat skin infections, including boils, abscesses, and wounds. Traditional applications often involve the topical use of crushed leaves or poultices, believed to help reduce inflammation and promote healing. The rationale is based primarily on anecdotal evidence and longstanding local practices.

From a scientific perspective, Petiveria alliacea does contain several bioactive compounds, such as sulfur-containing molecules, flavonoids, and other phytochemicals that have demonstrated antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory studies. However, there is a lack of direct clinical research specifically evaluating its efficacy in treating boils (cutaneous abscesses), and no controlled human studies confirm its safety or effectiveness for this indication. Thus, while there is a plausible biological basis for traditional use, the evidence remains largely anecdotal, and the overall strength of support is modest.

In summary, Petiveria's use for boils is justified primarily by traditional practice, with limited laboratory data providing some support, but there is insufficient clinical evidence to strongly validate its effectiveness or establish dosing and safety profiles.