Styrax balsam, also known as storax, has a long history in traditional medicine, where it has been used for various skin conditions, including warts. Its use for warts is primarily based on folkloric and ethnobotanical practices rather than modern scientific validation. Historical records and traditional herbal texts, especially in European and Middle Eastern traditions, mention the topical application of styrax balsam to treat warts, sometimes in combination with other plant extracts or as part of compounded ointments.

The rationale for its use is typically attributed to its antiseptic and possibly keratolytic properties, which might help in softening or breaking down the wart tissue. Some older pharmacopoeias and herbal compendia list styrax as a remedy for "excrescences of the skin," a term sometimes inclusive of warts. However, there is a lack of robust clinical trials or scientific studies specifically evaluating styrax balsam’s efficacy against warts. The modern medical literature does not support its use, and there is no consensus or guideline recommending styrax balsam as a wart treatment in contemporary dermatology.

In summary, the use of styrax balsam for warts is mainly rooted in traditional medicine, and any evidence supporting its effectiveness is anecdotal or historical rather than scientific.