Medical Uses: Pipsissewa was listed in the US Pharmacopeia from 1820 to 1916. Native Americans of various tribes had a number of uses for the plant. A leaf tea was used it for rheumatism, as a diuretic, sudorific, for kidney and urinary complaints, for stomach problems, as a tonic. It has also been used to flavor other medicine. The leaves were applied externally on wounds and sores.

There is some question as to its value as a diuretic. It has proven value as urinary antiseptic, astringent, tonic and does have antibacterial properties. Pipsissewa is still used as a flavoring in such products as candy and root beer.
Warning: Leaves applied to the skin may irritate causing redness and blisters.

Similar Species: Pipsissewa (C. umbellata) is very similar except it does not have the strip on the leaves and the flowers are more upright.

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One of the best general guides to wildflowers of the North Eastern and North Central United States. Newcomb's key is an excellent, simple method for identifying plants. Newcomb has drawings for almost every plant mentioned that are excellent aids to identifying the species. Though only the more common plants are covered this is often the first book I pick up when trying to identify a wildflower.

Wildflo wers of Tennessee the Ohio Valley and the Southern Appalachians

This is perhaps the best of many field guides covering this region. Featuring 446 excellent color photographs (located with the text) and mentioning as similar to those illustrated are another 800 or so species for a total coverage of over 1,200 species. The start of each family section includes line drawings of some of the species showing important features. The text includes the usual description, bloom season, range, habitat and additionally includes information such as medical uses and lore and how the species was named. This is the official field guide of the Tennessee Native Plant Society.