Dwarf lilyturf (Ophiopogon japonicus), known as "Mai Men Dong" in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has a long history of medicinal use, particularly as a tonic for lung and stomach ailments. Its primary traditional uses include moistening lung dryness, clearing heat, and nourishing yin. While it is a common ingredient in formulas for respiratory and gastrointestinal complaints, its application for skin conditions such as boils is less prominent but still present in some TCM texts.

In some traditional herbal compendia, Dwarf lilyturf is included as a supportive ingredient in herbal mixtures intended to "clear heat and relieve toxicity," a TCM approach relevant to boils, which are considered a manifestation of internal heat and toxin accumulation. However, it is rarely the main herb for this indication and is typically used in conjunction with more directly antimicrobial or detoxifying herbs such as honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) or forsythia (Forsythia suspensa).

There is little to no direct scientific evidence supporting its efficacy for boils; most modern pharmacological studies on Ophiopogon japonicus focus on its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects in other contexts. Thus, its use for boils is rooted primarily in traditional practices rather than contemporary clinical evidence.