Sichuan Fritillary (Fritillaria cirrhosa), known as "Chuan Bei Mu" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has a long history of use in treating various ailments, especially those involving phlegm, cough, and nodular conditions. In TCM theory, carbuncles (large, inflamed, pus-filled skin infections) are believed to result from "toxic heat" and "phlegm accumulation." Sichuan Fritillary is classified as an herb that "clears heat and resolves phlegm," and it is said to "disperse clumps and reduce swelling." Thus, it is sometimes included in herbal formulas for skin infections like carbuncles, particularly when there are signs of heat and phlegm involvement.

However, scientific evidence directly supporting the use of Sichuan Fritillary for carbuncles is limited. Most modern pharmacological studies of Fritillaria species have focused on their antitussive and anti-inflammatory properties, with some research showing general anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in animal models, but not specifically in the context of carbuncles or skin abscesses. No high-quality clinical trials or robust scientific reviews validate its efficacy for carbuncles. Therefore, while its use is justified by tradition and TCM theory, there is insufficient scientific validation for this particular indication.