Buckhorn Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in European herbalism and folk remedies. It has been historically applied topically as a poultice to treat various skin conditions, including carbuncles, boils, and wounds. The plant’s leaves are known for their soothing, anti-inflammatory, and mild antimicrobial properties, which are thought to help draw out infection and promote healing when placed on inflamed skin lesions such as carbuncles. These uses are referenced in traditional herbal texts and ethnobotanical records.

However, modern scientific evidence specifically validating Buckhorn Plantain’s efficacy for carbuncles is minimal. While some in vitro studies have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity of Plantago species extracts, direct clinical trials or rigorous studies on carbuncle treatment are lacking. Most of the support for its use in this context remains anecdotal or based on historical practice rather than robust scientific data. Thus, the use of Buckhorn Plantain for carbuncles is best characterized as "traditional" with limited scientific corroboration, meriting a modest evidence rating.